John Tolley
School
University Of Memphis, DePaul University
Expertise
International Sandwiches, Southern Regional Cuisine, History Of Hot Dogs
- Having served and bartended in a slew of Chicago eateries, from gastropubs to trattorias, John can confidently tell you why a cask-conditioned, malty English lager would pair perfectly with wild boar ragu.
- John's food writing doesn't just cover the factual and historical, but can delve into the humorous and has been featured in McSweeney's Internet Tendency.
- Never one to back down from a challenge, John once found himself in a Ghost Pepper chicken wing eating contest with revered Chicago chef Dominique Tougne.
Experience
John Tolley has been a writer for the better part of two decades, contributing writing to sites as varied as McSweeney's Internet Tendency and the Big Ten Network. While he is happy to track down most any story, those that involve culinary history, the hospitality industry, and spirits particularly pique his interest. John is currently working on a book of Western Michigan cultural food exploration that chronicles curious regional oddities like the Wet Burrito and the Olive Burger. Prior to writing for Tasting Table, he ran the literary webzine "Girls with Insurance," where his popular series "Lunches" chronicled one man's quest to find the beauty in the mundane meals he ate while working in Chicago's Loop.
Education
A communications and creative writing major at DePaul University, John Tolley used the city as his classroom, exploring hidden nooks and crannies that spoke to its unique history, specifically as it relates to food and drink. He turned that into a series of columns for "The DePaulia" newspaper that shed light on the backstory of many famed near-campus eateries and how they came to be.
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 John Tolley
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Sweet elements are not just for the sauce; they can be incorporated into the fried chicken itself for some surprising results in both taste and texture.
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When it comes to succulent and tasty ribs, the browning of the meat is key. An expert suggests using this cut of rib to achieve the perfect browning.
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Order this and a glazed donut, bisect the pastry, and insert the bacon for a DIY breakfast sandwich that is sweet and savory.
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Denizens of the Costco food court have been hacking some of the fan favorites on the menu to create new and unusual items, including a creative pizza topping.
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There is another ingredient, one Waffle House doesn't offer, that can really kick hash browns up a notch: dill pickles.
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We caught up with celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto to get his take on the correct way to balance the quantity of ingredients inside a maki roll.
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Looking to switch up your regular sandwiches? Look no further. Use pizza dough as your sandwich bread base and prepare to be amazed at this clever hack.
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Americans are used to seeing tartar sauce paired with fried fish. On the other hand, Japanese tartar sauce's composition provides different uses.
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Louisiana-style remoulade includes a touch of hot sauce, and while it's customizable, one brand in particular can kick it up to the next level.
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The Costco chicken bake is a fan favorite, but what about their carne asada bake? We examine what happened to this discontinued item.
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Beef tallow is a cooking fat that doesn't get much love compared to others. And it also can be easy to extract, as explained by celebrity chef David Burke.
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When you slather it on a fresh, hot biscuit, you have a hearty Southern classic that works just as well at high tea as it does on a breakfast table.
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What's the difference between yellowtail tuna and yellowfin tuna? It's a trick question, as there's no such thing as yellowtail tuna, but you'll see it anyway.
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This is a party, of course, and people will need to eat and drink, but what exactly and how much of it needs to be on hand?
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Steak is perfectly fine on its own or with just a bit of salt and pepper, but you can go the extra mile and give it a flavorful parmesan crust.
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Crumbl might still be best known for its wide array of cookie offerings but it has been consistently expanding into other dessert categories.
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Patience is of the essence. You shouldn't decorate the cake until it is "completely hardened" in the freezer, a process that takes several hours.
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Adding in new and unusual ingredients can give untold dimensions to grits, and one of our favorites is another Southern staple: sweet potatoes.
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Even if you already know the difference between mayo and Miracle Whip, you still might be left confused when it comes to mayo vs. salad cream.
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Tired of your go-to salsa recipe? Kick it up a notch with the addition of cucumbers. When paired with any taco, it makes for the perfect bite.
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Though best known for cookies, Crumble has been rapidly expanding into other dessert categories. Three new options are hitting the menu in time for fall.
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If you never know what to do with a cut of lamb breast, you're in luck. Expert chef Ryan Ratino shared some great suggestions for how to cook them with us.
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The only drawback to making a huge pot of bisque is the massive amount of leftovers. Andrew Zimmern has a hack to use up that bisque in a new way.
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After flipping the steak a few times to ensure even cooking, Gordon Ramsay adds to the pan garlic, herbs, and his secret ingredient.
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Reheating cooked rice can lead to frustration and dry, overdone grains, especially if a common appliance is involved. Here's how to avoid that mistake.
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Costco stores have a sweet and decidedly large way to celebrate store anniversaries, all thanks to the store’s in-house bakers and their cake-making skills.
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Coffee might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the cuisine of India, but it's in a league of its own due to its harvesting methods.