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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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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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey
The only thing that could make this Mexican favorite better is a hearty scoop of canned chili, so here's how to level up your next quesadilla.
By Ian Fortey
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Baking Tips
By Ian Fortey
Slow cookers let us prepare meals or snacks while we are out and busy for the rest of the day. And yes, that includes banana bread.
By Ian Fortey
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Shopping Tips
By Ian Fortey
Service dogs are welcome in grocery stores, but if you try to bring your pet inside, you might catch some dirty looks. Here's why this isn't a good idea.
By Ian Fortey
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey
Pork chops are always a delectable choice, though they require some finesse to prepare -- especially if you're making them in a slow cooker.
By Ian Fortey
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey
Boiling pierogies with soft, mushy fillings isn't the move. Give these little dumplings a delicious, golden exterior with help from your air fryer.
By Ian Fortey
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey
Red onions aren't the first variety people tend to caramelize, but they add a whole new dimension. On top of burgers, they add a tasty sweetness and sharpness.
By Ian Fortey
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You might be surprised to know that within the city limits of Seattle, Washington, that you can forage bright sweet wild berries with a very unusual name.
By Ian Fortey
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It's expected to see overpriced hot dogs at the ball game, but spending $99 outside of that sounds absurd. Chicagoans, however, say it's worth the splurge.
By Ian Fortey
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey
A crispy fried catfish is an unmatched bite, so how do you ensure perfection each time? There's one step in your prep work that you shouldn't overlook.
By Ian Fortey
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey
Soup always makes for an excellent comfort food -- but not when it's all gloopy and gross. Fix that by reheating it with this common ingredient.
By Ian Fortey
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey
Your breadcrumb choice can make or break meatballs as not all are equal. This unconventional option adds a whole new holiday dimension to the dish.
By Ian Fortey
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Watch how employees handle the scoops on your next visit to your favorite ice cream shop and look out for a telling red flag that may show it's not clean.
By Ian Fortey
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Taco Bell mac and cheese sounds unheard of -- but as it turns out, curious employees actually whipped up a batch from store ingredients and say it was worth it.
By Ian Fortey
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