Maria Scinto
School
University Of Denver
Expertise
Food History, Themed Cookbooks, Cooking/Food Shopping On A Budget
- In 2007, Maria ghost-wrote "The Takeout Cookbook: How to Order, Eat, and Care for Food You Didn't Cook," a 164-page "cookbook" with but a single recipe. (Spoiler: It's for sheep's feet in white sauce, yum.)
- She used to host a podcast called "Quirky Cookbooks," where she'd cook a selection of items from her extensive themed cookbook collection including astrology-based recipes, favorite dishes of Attitude Era WWF superstars, and recipes dictated to a ghost whisperer by spirits of the dearly departed.
- Her proudest accomplishment to date is having managed to name-drop Macho Man Randy Savage 12 times and Chris Jericho six times in articles that are actually about food.
Experience
Maria has a background as a librarian that gives her the research skills necessary to dig up obscure food facts, but she began writing on the side as a broke single mom nearly 20 years ago. She's written for print publications including two DC-area weekly newspapers, the Montgomery Journal and the Fairfax Times, as well as Northern Virginia Magazine where a piece she wrote on area child care centers was awarded a Virginia Press Association first place prize for personal service writing. She has also published numerous articles on websites including Realtor.com, Movoto, AZCentral, Livestrong, and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Maria began writing full-time for Static Media in 2019 and during her tenure with the brand has produced features for Wrestling Inc., Grunge, Tasting Table, and Mashed as well as news articles for Nicki Swift, Health Digest, List, Tasting Table, and Mashed. She considers herself a generalist, but eventually settled on Mashed as a home brand because it allows her to write about all things food.
Education
Maria has a bachelor's degree in comparative literature that exposed her to a wide variety of quality writing and gives her some historical context as well as an appreciation for her craft. She later earned a master's in library and information science and worked as a librarian for 12 years in public and school settings, giving her a thorough grounding in research techniques, which enabled her to dig up information on any topic and present it in a format that is both useful and entertaining.
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 Maria Scinto
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This Tex-Mex variation on beef stew features spicy, smoky, vibrant flavors, while its slow simmer in the oven results in tender beef and minimal effort.
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With its signature chewiness from the mochi, its gorgeous glaze, and its elegant pon de ring shape, this glutinous rice flour donut tastes as good as it looks.
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To toss or not to toss? Here are some tips to help you decide which foods are definitely beyond saving -- and hints on how to store them to make them last.
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There are some popular seafood joints you could go to. We took the liberty of ranking them from worst to best so you can choose the best option for you.
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The James Beard food hall will feature numerous different vendors and serve everything from Japanese dishes to baked goods, as well as coffee and drinks.
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Chicago has a vibrant sports scene and culture. There are a number of different sports bars in Chicago that offer incredible beverages and delicious food.
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Some foods take well to freezing, while others absolutely don't — and knowing the difference can help you save money and cut down on food waste.
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From squirrel to ice cream to barbecue, the favorite foods of U.S. presidents have been interesting. Here is a bit about every U.S. president's favorite food.
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Here are some facts you need to know about electric ovens, and how they can compare to gas ones (spoiler alert, there are pros and cons for each).
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Some might consider New Jersey the cannoli capital of the world (or at least the U.S.), and these spots offer up the best that the Garden State has to offer.
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King Charles is known for following some pretty unique eating habits, some to do with environmental reasons, others to do with his personal preference.
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Eating out is a very enjoyable experience, but some foods shouldn't be ordered when eating out. Stick to making these at home, and you won't be disappointed.
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Parchment paper can be rather expensive, and it's pretty wasteful. Here are multiple replacements if you don't have any on hand when cooking.
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With a vast array of flavors and toppings, San Francisco is home to some of the best boba tea anywhere. For a list of the best shops, read on.
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New Yorkers have several places to find great boba tea. Explore the best boba tea shops the city has to offer and discover a fun, colorful new favorite drink.
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The Balkans are thought to encompass many countries in Europe, so we've rounded up a list of restaurants in the U.S. serving up authentic Balkan food.
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Whether you're eating with family or dining alone this Hanukkah, these New York eateries have you covered with traditional classics and more.
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As 2022 comes to an end, we've been reflecting on the food trends of the year. While some trends are quite great, others are just strange and quite annoying.
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When you think of global cuisine, Serbia's might not be the first that comes to mind. However, the country has a long and rich culinary history to explore.
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At these eateries, you can fill your gas tank and your belly, the latter with treats ranging from Texas-style barbecue to Czechoslovakian stuffed pastries.
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Whichever restaurant you pick, book your table early. Bonus: When you're finished, no one's going to guilt-trip you into washing or drying a single dish.
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Restaurant chains like Melting Pot are best known for their fondue selections, but more and more establishments are serving up this Swiss delicacy.
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Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and we can already see the prep list growing. Make dessert easier by ordering one of these pies right to your door.
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Bars and restaurants across America love celebrating Halloween each October. But some spots are in the spirit year-round, thanks to their resident ghosts.
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Traveling via Amtrak is becoming more popular, and planning a trip is always easier when you know what the food options are like. Here's what you should know.
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All Hallows Eve is nearly here. If you live in the Windy City and want to get your spook on, these are the bar and restaurant you have to visit for Halloween.
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New York City is known for having an abundance of kosher delis, but is the the city's restaurant scene as plentiful? It sure does, and these are the best.