Carmen Varner
Expertise
Vegetarian Cooking, Baking, Fine Dining
- Carmen always seeks out vintage cookbooks at thrift stores even though she doesn't need to add any more to her collection.
- She loves to travel and savor local cuisine such as huitlacoche in Mexico, port wine in Porto, and gelato in Italy.
- As a member of the Yelp Elite Squad in 2021, 2022, and 2023, Carmen enjoys trying new-to-her places, attending foodie events, and writing reviews about her experience.
Experience
Carmen is a food, drink, and travel writer based in San Diego. She has 10+ years of experience and has been published in Chickpea Magazine, Parade Magazine, San Diego Reader, Luxe Beat Magazine, LOCALE Magazine, and more.
Education
Carmen has a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in health promotion and disease prevention.
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 Carmen Varner
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Your frozen dinners can really be taken to the next level with just a few tips and tricks. These are some creative ways to improve frozen dinners.
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For a refreshing snack or cooling side dish, raw cucumbers can't be beat ... but they can be flavored with varied ingredients that will enhance every bite.
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Both Dunkin' and Starbucks sell hot and iced latte macchiatos. Our review puts the two coffeehouse giants head-to-head to see who sells the best cup.
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A little bourbon makes a big difference for flavoring breakfast classics like cinnamon rolls or jam. Two chefs share ways to enjoy this intoxicating ingredient.
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If you're a fan of Costco's food court chicken bakes, you might be pleased to know there's a frozen version you can take home. But how do they really compare?
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If your store-bought soy sauce is missing the mark a bit, there are a ton of things you can add in to it to make it pop more for whatever dish you're making.
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Many Americans may be unfamiliar with lychee, but there are numerous uses for the sweet and succulent fruit. Here are some creative ways to use lychee.
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Panera Bread's lineup of sweet treats just expanded with five new bakery items, including pastries and macaroons. We tried them all for this review.
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Tiny sesame seeds contain a lot of flavor, boosting diverse dishes and desserts. We asked culinary experts for creative ways to use this crunchy seasoning.
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We asked pro chefs for tips on the best upgrades for canned enchilada sauce, and learned that several pantry staples can enhance this product with gusto.
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A slice of sourdough bread is one of life's simplest pleasures. If you want to kick it up a notch, these are the spreads and toppings that experts recommend.
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Love mocktails? From candy floss to fruit skewers, we interview three beverage experts to learn the best ways to elevate non-alcoholic drinks.
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Well-roasted sweet potatoes are to die for, so we consulted a few experts for tips for getting the best results. Here's what they have to say.
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Blend unexpected flavors together and elevate your next sandwich with these chef-approved sweet ingredients and the best savory elements to pair them with.
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Don't settle for a boring batch of pancakes or waffles. Instead of turning to toppings, try adding these flavorful spices to your next breakfast.
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Cream cheese is more than just a bagel spread. It can be used to add a creamy, slightly tangy element to numerous recipes, from appetizers to desserts.
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Panera Bread is rolling out four new breakfast and all-day sandwich items. We review them to see if they're worth the price.
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Scrambled eggs are a classic dish you can reinvent a million ways, but here's how to season them if you want to have a totally new huevos experience.
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If your store-bought ranch dressing is bland or you simply want to ramp up the taste for a particular meal, here are chef-approved ways to add flavor.
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From enhancing coffee drinks to creating nutrient-rich desserts, we share a few of our favorite creative ways to use frozen bananas in the kitchen.
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Looking for creative ways to enhance your culinary confections? The warm, spicy notes of cinnamon sticks are easily adaptable in drinks, meals, and desserts.
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Here are canned foods to help you upgrade your pasta recipes. These foods add a surprising element to typical pasta meals, and the whole family will love them!
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If you've run out of your favorite bread or you're simply wanting to switch things up, here are some creative ways to eat egg salad without the bread.
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When you're down to the last bit of mustard in your fridge but not quite ready to throw it away, here are 15 ways to use up leftover mustard.
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A jar of store-bought jam can provide fruity flavor to all kinds of meals, but you can upgrade it to the next level with a few simple ingredient additions.
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Molasses makes a dynamic addition to both sweet and savory dishes due to its sweet, bitter, earthy flavor. Here are some creative ways to use this ingredient.
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Don't toss those leftover hot dog buns. Whether fresh, stale, whole, or torn, there's a creative use for unused buns - from mini pizzas to bread pudding.