Location
Birmingham, Alabama
School
Samford University
Expertise
Home cooking, Dining out, Secretly healthy desserts
- Covering local restaurant news for her hometown, Katie Leigh loves digging into innovative restaurant concepts, dissecting the longevity of old haunts, and spotlighting chefs who put their all into their craft.
- She's shared home-cooked meals at family tables around the world, including in Kenya, India, Australia, and Honduras, and is inspired by the communal sense of hospitality that transcends culture.
- Plagued with a chronic sweet tooth, her favorite hobby is tinkering with recipes for healthier dessert alternatives. Even her kids gobble up her sugar-free okra brownies!
Experience
Katie Leigh lives with her husband and two children in Birmingham, Alabama, and is endlessly fascinated by the passion and determination found in its little-foodie-city-that-could spirit. As a writer on the Birmingham beat for StyleBlueprint, she's gotten to sit down with some of the top restaurateurs, chefs, and bakers in town, including James Beard semifinalists and Michelin Award recipients. While she loves to write about the je ne sais quoi of a restaurant's ambiance and what makes a world-class chef tick, her very favorite foods are made in her own kitchen (usually by her husband). Katie Leigh joined Static in 2024, where she has covered lifestyle topics focusing on food, travel, and home decor. As a writer for Tasting Table, she enjoys shining a light on the American South's influence on style, culture, and food.
Education
Katie Leigh earned her bachelor's degree in communications from Samford University.
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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Reviews
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Finding a trendy, high-quality water bottle without spending a fortune can be a challenge, but this Consumer Reports recommendation checks all the boxes.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Shopping Tips
By Katie Leigh Matthews
With food costs rising, more people are heading to dollar stores for essentials. We've compiled a list of the best frozen items you can grab at Family Dollar.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Grocery
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Craving authentic flavors on a budget? Explore 11 of the best Aldi foods for Indian food lovers, including sauces, snacks, and quick weeknight meals. b
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Design & Decor
By Katie Leigh Matthews
When it comes to small kitchen spaces, the key is utilizing every nook and cranny — and corners are an often underlooked are for maximizing storage.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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News
By Katie Leigh Matthews
From McDonald's to Taco Bell, discover the cheapest menu items at 10 popular fast food chains and approximately how much each costs in 2026.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Cocktails and Spirits
By Katie Leigh Matthews
If you're looking for a potentially healthier alternative to a drink at the end of the day, have your tipple in the late afternoon or early evening.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Design & Decor
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Kitchen countertops are prime real estate. These adorable vintage finds add charm to your kitchen and free up counter space at the same time.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Food Facts
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Are you a white chocolate hater? Join the back of the line, but wait, one expert says you probably haven't even tried the real deal, and that you really should.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Stores And Chains
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Aldi is packed with delicious treats, including some killer chocolate bars you shouldn't skip. If you're overwhelmed by choice, start with these nine bars.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Trader Joe's
By Katie Leigh Matthews
The shelves at Trader Joe's are filled with side dishes that can help get dinner on the table quicker, but these options could also work as the main course.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Design & Decor
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Old kitchenware can turn into some of the most unique and useful storage, especially when given a new life as a countertop organizer.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Design & Decor
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Hardwood floors bring a natural warmth to any room. The kitchen can be a harsh environment, but you can get the look of hardwood without the hassle.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Fine Dining
By Katie Leigh Matthews
San Francisco makes world history as the first city to earn a three-star Mexican restaurant, redefining fine dining with bold, elevated flavors.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Trader Joe's
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Trader Joe's has fun and planet-friendly items in its kichen essentials range that make a 2026 trip worth it for both tried-and-tested and new-to-market items.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Coffee and Tea
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Getting up and out the door in the morning feel significantly more difficult without a cup of coffee — but, for less than $20, you can take it with you.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Design & Decor
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Every kitchen needs more work spaces and storage. We spoke with a designer about how to get that space without adding a kitchen island.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Costco
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Costco shoppers hoping to save more may want to know when the warehouse marks down unsold inventory and when the best time is to spot the best deals.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Trader Joe's
By Katie Leigh Matthews
From sauces and condiments to flavorful toppings, these Trader Joe's favorites can help take your next burger night to the next level.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Food Facts
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Every once in a while we bring home green bananas that refuse to ripen. We spoke with an expert about why this happens, and how to ripen them.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Stores And Chains
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Aldi is known for its great deals and limited-time items, but you probably didn't know that the grocery chain sold stuff like this.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Fast Food
By Katie Leigh Matthews
This restaurant started with humble roots back in the 1960s, but its Southern charm and excellent food have allowed the chain to expand to brand-new locations.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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News
By Katie Leigh Matthews
All good things inevitably come to an end, and that's certainly true for the seafood chain that's been serving Manhattan the last 23 years.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Food History
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Jif is one of the most popular peanut butter brands. Before it was called Jif, the brand used to go by a different name until it was bought out in the 1950s.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Stores And Chains
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Wegmans is known for supporting local, and even showcase its partners on its website. Here's a closer look at the farm that supplies its all-natural beef.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Design & Decor
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Lighting is as much of an aesthetic design choice as it is a functional one — and that couldn't be more true than in the heart of your home: the kitchen.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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News
By Katie Leigh Matthews
The bottle of bourbon that was just awarded a double gold medal at a recent spirits competition is much less expensive than you may expect.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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Cooking Tips
By Katie Leigh Matthews
Melting butter properly can make a major difference in your baked goods, and this is the ideal microwave setting to use to get it perfect every single time.
By Katie Leigh Matthews
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