School
University of Western Ontario
Expertise
Comfort food, Budget meals, Creative recipe ideas
- Ian has has worked as a cook in several restaurants, ranging from fine dining to roadhouse to an old-fashioned diner.
- He has developed many of his own recipes with unique twists, including a number of horror-themed recipes for an intended movie-inspired cookbook.
- He has been cooking since he was a child when he learned the value of being frugal, stretching a budget and ingredients to make a lot from a little, while never having to skimp on taste.
Experience
Ian is a professional writer with over 17 years experience. He also went to culinary school and has spent time developing and testing new recipe ideas. Some of his work has also delved into trying new, rare, and even intimidating foods like ghost peppers in pursuit of an interesting story and a fresh perspective. As a writer, Ian has covered food from several perspectives ranging from simple reviews of new products to the more in-depth science of things like GMOs, how chemicals create certain flavors, and more. He doesn't just enjoy the food -- it's also understanding what makes it interesting and unique in the first place, whether that be history, chemistry, or something else.
Education
Ian earned a degree in English and Philosophy before moving on to a post-graduate Communications and Public Relations program
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.
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Dollar Tree's prices have been noticeably rising in the past few years, but when shoppers spotted this nearly double-digit price tag, it raised some ire.
By Ian Fortey
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Shopping Tips
By Ian Fortey
For those who like to stock-up on ready-to-bake meals, sliders are a great choice — with one exception you'll want to avoid purchasing every time.
By Ian Fortey
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Healthy Eating
By Ian Fortey
Most people know they need to get their potassium, and that eating bananas is a good way to get it -- but this one food has a lot more of it.
By Ian Fortey
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The Filet-O-Fish is a beloved McDonald's food item in it's own right -- but there's something extra special about the bun it comes on that makes it unique.
By Ian Fortey
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Restaurants
By Ian Fortey
Some chains have loyal fanbases despite glaring, organizational issues. This one operates in four states, with an overwhelmingly mediocre set of reviews.
By Ian Fortey
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Costco's food court has some winners, some of which are also in the warehouse. This dish is much-loved fresh and can be recreated from frozen in the air fryer.
By Ian Fortey
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Cleaning Tips
By Ian Fortey
If you find that ants keep showing up and don't know why, check this area. If you're not cleaning it often, it may be attracting outside guests.
By Ian Fortey
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey
If you're craving grilled cheese and tomato soup this winter but don't want to go through the trouble of making soup, try this genius shortcut.
By Ian Fortey
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Beyond having different flavor profiles, blackberries and blueberries are remarkably similar in nutritional content. Here's which fruit wins out.
By Ian Fortey
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Aldi makes some impressively high-quality foods for the modest price tag, but not all of them hit the mark. This one aimed to dupe a classic and failed.
By Ian Fortey
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Growing fruit trees indoors is a great way to liven up a space, and dwarf pomegranates are particularly forgiving. Here's what you should know.
By Ian Fortey
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While California now has many fast food giants, there was one regional legend right before the others. It still has many locations and is loved by locals.
By Ian Fortey
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Whether you like just one or a line up of options, there's a dipping sauce coming back to Wendy's in the new year that some will be happy to see again.
By Ian Fortey
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Those pesky seals underneath condiment bottle caps never seem to come off easily -- but leave it to TikTok to introduce a nifty hack that changes that.
By Ian Fortey
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Food History
By Ian Fortey
Some foods are so iconic that it's hard to imagine a time before they existed. Here's a seemingly timeless childhood favorite that wasn't invented until 1963.
By Ian Fortey
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Rhubarb is plentiful in and around Seattle, and so the astringent fruit (or vegetable, technically) is popular there, and many delicious recipes have emerged.
By Ian Fortey
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey
Making a whole chicken in the oven is often the way to go, but using an Instant Pot? Now we're cooking (literally). Keep these tips in mind for your next cook.
By Ian Fortey
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Every so often a jar of goods will be seemingly impossible to open, even if you try all the usual tricks. At that point, this suggestion will definitely work.
By Ian Fortey
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Ever wondered how Anthony Bourdain could dine on so many delicious dishes while filming? The answer might surprise you.
By Ian Fortey
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A humble chicken sandwich sparked a fast-food "war," and the media fanned the flames by reporting on the desperate lengths went to by customers to get one.
By Ian Fortey
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Food History
By Ian Fortey
When Hershey's swapped this key ingredient in one of their chocolate products to save money, consumers voiced their opinions and the product was discontinued.
By Ian Fortey
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Costco is the place to be when hunting for convenience. The chain boasts many hidden gems like this air fryer find -- but there's one unexpected downside.
By Ian Fortey
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Baking Tips
By Ian Fortey
Making a gingerbread house is one of the most fun, creative, and whimsical things you can do during the holiday season. Just don't use your cookie recipe.
By Ian Fortey
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Anheuser-Busch is undergoing some streamlining in the new year, but you might not even realize it if everything goes to according to plan.
By Ian Fortey
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Design & Decor
By Ian Fortey
Looking for some new countertops? Take HGTV host Mike Holmes' advice to heart and give this material a try during your next renovation.
By Ian Fortey
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It's no secret that many restaurants have struggled and filed for bankruptcy in 2025. This pizza chain is the latest to face such troubles.
By Ian Fortey
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey
if you want to try something that will impart a real savory umami punch to roasted vegetables, try seasoning them with this soup mix before roasting.
By Ian Fortey
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