Tom Maxwell
School
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Expertise
Southern American Cuisine, Food History, Home Cooking
- Tom has worked for three James Beard Award-winning restaurants across the country.
- He won Al Jazeera America's vaguely prestigious "World Cup of Food" competition in 2014, refereed by renowned food and drink writer Rosie Schaap.
- Tom's "A Really Strange and Wonderful Time: The Chapel Hill Music Scene 1989-1999" will be published by Hachette in 2024.
Experience
Tom began writing professionally at the tail end of a successful music career. He has contributed to The Oxford American, The Bitter Southerner, Longreads, and AARP. While writing a piece for North Carolina's Indy Week, Tom coined the term "historic locovorism" when encouraging a local chef to resurrect the classic Chatham Rabbit dish. Tom is also the co-creator of Shelved, an upcoming Audible music podcast produced by Gunpowder & Sky.
Education
Tom has a bachelor's degree in communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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 Tom Maxwell
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If you want to elevate the umami in your favorite veggie burger recipe, look no further than miso. This delicacy will add depth to and help bind your patties.
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Every heard of Keedoozle? It's the almost Amazon Go-like grocery store that was way ahead of its time, founded by the businessman who set up Piggly Wiggly.
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Jeow som, a spicy, tangy, and sweet condiment from Laos, pairs well with everything from sticky rice to seafood - but it's also magnificent with steak.
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If you are attempting to maximize the flavors of your chicken curry dishes, be sure to avoid this common mistake and take the time to do it right.
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For this year's big holiday meals, try pouring boiling water over your turkey prior to cooking. This technique is a real game changer and ensures crispy skin.
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Try incorporating minced sun-dried tomatoes in your next batch of Italian meatballs. You'll wonder why you never did so before.
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Caffeine's role in our lives seems straightforward. But, in addition to providing that kick of energy, the caffeine in soft drinks is key to their zesty flavor.
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If you've been getting a little bored of the standard deviled eggs recipe, allow us to recommend one simple swap: Substitute Chinese hot mustard for Dijon.
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Incorporating mustard is an easy way to get zestier tuna salad. Dijon is a popular choice, but you can elevate things even further with whole-grain mustard.
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Green beans are cheap, delicious and versatile as heck. We've long been a big fan of charred green beans for their deeply delicious, nutty flavor.
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Cooking churro dough in your waffle maker is an easy way to make a delicious breakfast. And, without the fry oil, it's healthier than traditional churros.
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Making tsukune can be a fraught experience, as they like to fall apart once they've hit the grill, even with the addition of binding agents like eggs.
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If you find yourself stuck with green, unripe tomatoes, don't worry. The paper trick can help ripen them in a flash and get them ready for any number of dishes.
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When making homemade mayo, there is a specific strategy you need to follow in order to get the desired outcome. Mixing ingredients in the right order is key.
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Homemade bagels aren't as intimidating as they sound. With a simple baking soda bath, you can have perfectly golden bagels fresh out of the oven.
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Dump cake is notorious for featuring minimal ingredients dumped directly into a pan for baking. Add one more element to your next dump cake: soda.
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If you have too much moisture, your fondant will essentially melt and/or become slimy. If your fondant is too dry, it will break and become an unworkable mess.
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Homemade corn tortillas are superior to the store-bought kind. They're simple to make, yet tricky to master, so these tips will help you perfect your tortillas.
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Flan has a deep caramel topping that oozes over the sweet, velvety custard full of toffee and vanilla flavors. So flan and bourbon are a perfect match.
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Sriracha is satisfyingly spicy but also brings in added flavor dimensions, all of which will fit in seamlessly with most traditional steak sauce ingredients.
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Jeff Tyler, head brewer at a brewery and restaurant in Colorado, explains what you should be sipping on when you enjoy a nice plate of chicken wings.
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If you pecan pie filling didn't set, it can still be salvaged. It needs more time in the oven, and you can use this trick to prevent the crust from burning.
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Fans of corn dishes are sure to love uchepos. These tamales are made with pureed sweet corn and have a rich culinary history that stretches back centuries.
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When you hear "baked apples," you might assume you need an oven to make the dish. However, you can make equally delicious apples on a stove or in a microwave.
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For a delicious appetizer that's ready in a matter of minutes and can pair with a variety of flavors, turn to your air fryer to cook up some shishito peppers.
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When making Boston cream pie, the kind of vanilla you use is crucial. Here's how to get the best flavor out of your vanilla beans to ensure the perfect pie.
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By adding a scoop of ice cream to the cup as you would with an affogato, you'll get the same dark deliciousness without taking as much of a caffeine hit.