Abby Smith
School
Kirkwood Community College
Expertise
Recipe Writing And Product Develoment, Butchery, Cheese Making
- Abby has been an international lifestyle blogger and food writer for 10 years. Her blog Very Simple, Very Easy, Very Good won Top Ex-pat blog from Internations.
- Abby writes about food with the authority of someone who knows it from the soil up. She is a farmer, organic gardener, animal husbander, butcher, and cheesemaker. She also managed restaurants for the Kimpton group in the heart of Chicago's theater district.
- Abby created a butchery and cheese-making program to support the farm-to-table concept at the luxury resort Rancho Santana in Nicaragua. The success of this program enticed Outstanding In Their Field, the internationally renowned pop-up restaurant group, to host an event highlighting the extensive farm and garden program at Rancho Santana.
Experience
Abby is a veteran, award-winning blogger. She has extensive knowledge of food industry issues from her 25 years spent working in restaurants and as a farmer, animal husbander, butcher, and cheesemaker. Her experience affords her writing the authority and insight of practical, applied skills and real-world knowledge.
Education
Abby studied poetry at a small college in Iowa, where she was introduced to the writings of Wendell Berry, after which her focus shifted from acquiring degrees to making a positive impact on the planet through sustainable farming and animal husbandry. She has chronicled her journey of caring for the earth in her blog for the last 10 years. She believes in lifelong education and recently received SEO certification from Hubspot Academy.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
We strive to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day; cooking tips, tricks, and trends; or reviews and recommendations. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our team is constantly reviewing and updating articles as necessary. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
Stories By Abby Smith
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If you are in the mood for a wellness retreat that will support your love affair with coffee, this resort in Costa Rica's cloud forest may be the place for you.
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Earth is not the only place where humans are looking to grow sustainable food sources. Now, rice has been successfully grown in space.
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Many Americans have a very specific image and idea of what a taco consists of. Here is the variety of the fan-favorite taco that is uncommon across Mexico.
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Mango lassi is a refreshing treat and the perfect drink to go with a spicy meal. Take your lassi to the next level with the addition of this secret ingredient.
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Corn tortillas are one of the foundations of Mexican cuisine. Here's the traditional way to make corn tortillas that has been utilized since ancient times.
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Coca-Cola is joining forces with Constellation Brands on two new Fresca-based canned cocktails. Here's more on the new drinks inspired by two bar classics.
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Spanish rice pairs perfectly with plenty of meals -- the only drawback is the prep time. Here's the shortcut ingredient to use for quick Spanish rice.
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If you felt uneasy about Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods five years ago, hold on to your carts because Whole Foods may be in for another sea change.
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Restaurants are testing AI options to manage a variety of tasks as restaurant workers leave the industry in droves while customers continue dining out.
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Many find a bag of organs called giblets with a raw chicken they've purchased. But what are giblets and how do you use them? Here is more about the giblets!
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If you've ever tucked your fork into a classic beef bourguignon, you know what it is to taste time. Ina Garten saved time by updating Julia Child's version.
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There is one tweak you may want to consider for your next holiday or potluck offering of green bean casserole.
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Disfrutar is surprising its guests with innovative dining experiences. Here's what you need to know about the two-starred Michelin Spanish restaurant.
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Salsa is a name that can be attributed to a popular style of music, a dance, or a delicious condiment. But which came first: The condiment or the dance?
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Our bodies have a natural ability to understand which nutrients we need, but modern eating habits have interfered with this innate knowledge.
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If you're planning to make tortillas at home, there is one special ingredient you'll want to use, and that is the best fat for the job. We have the details!
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When you're looking to spice up your cooking with the smoky flavor of chipotle, what's the difference between canned chipotles and chipotle paste?
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Cascara is an often overlooked aspect of the coffee plant, being discarded into animal feed or fertilizer. Here's what it really is and how it relates to coffee
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PIckling your favorite veggies -- or anything you want to pickle -- may seem like a simple task. But, the salt you use can be crucial to the finished product.
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Meatloaf and Salisbury steak seem like almost interchangable dishes, but they each have their own distinct differences.
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It's not surprising that few of us have heard of Montébore cheese. However, it's been around since the 10th century. Here's how it nearly went extinct.
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While plantains resemble bananas, they are very different fruits. Here's everything you need to know about the difference between bananas and plantains.
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Gastón Acurio has helped popularize Peruvian food across the globe with his dozens of restaurants and cookbooks.
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Home canning has been revived in recent years due to its convenience and ways to preserve home-grown food stuffs. Here is when it became widely accessible.
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If your olive oil tastes bitter, this is the best way to remove that flavor.
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Milk is a staple beverage in many American households. Here is the process that milk goes through from the farms where its sourced all the way to your fridge.
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Most of us enjoy deep-fried food, but the smoking point of oil is important to know. You might be wondering, is it dangerous to use avocado oil for deep frying?