School
University Of California, Irvine, The Arts Institute Culinary Arts School, San Diego
Expertise
Bold Red Wines, Home-Cooked Mexican Food, Food History
- In 1998, Erica got her first taste of Europe on a three-week exploration of five countries, igniting a passion for travel and food.
- She launched the blog for Southern California's Ponte Winery which highlighted food and wine pairings.
- Her first professional writing job came in 2008 when she was hired as the copywriter for the GNC website division.
Experience
When Erica was pursuing her bachelor's degree in film studies, she had no idea it would lead to a passion for writing. The hours spent analyzing films and writing essays revealed a knack for research and expression through written words, with her favorite topic being food. She has now been writing for various companies for 12 years in the form of website copy, newsletters, press releases, blogs, and emails. Some of the companies she has worked for include Ponte Family Estate Winery, General Nutrition Corporation, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, and Brickhouse Security in New York.
Education
Erica has a bachelor's degree in Film Studies from the University of California at Irvine. She studied abroad in Siena, Italy in college where she studied Film and Tuscan cuisine. She also spent a semester studying Culinary Arts in San Diego, CA.
The Takeout’s industry-leading editorial coverage is the result of collaboration between writers and editors with a wide array of experience and expertise in the world of food and drink. Every article is fact-checked by our team of editors to ensure accuracy. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.
Our mission is to both inform and entertain our readers, telling them everything they want to know (and more) about food. We strive to always provide a well-rounded reading experience, bringing both the biggest food news of the day and a break from the news. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
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Restaurants
By Erica Martinez
Got a hankerin' for a loaded weenie with lifelong commitment? Take a bit of West Virginia comfort food culture at the state's most iconic hot dog stand.
By Erica Martinez
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Cookouts are a great excuse to have a meat feast and get creative with toppings. Bologna is one unexpected item you should consider throwing on the grill.
By Erica Martinez
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We're coming for that day-old rice in your fridge. Transform yesterday's leftovers into today's hot app and never worry about cooking too much rice again.
By Erica Martinez
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Is it really a surprise Gordon Ramsay can whip frustratingly sticky plastic wrap into submission? Here's exactly how you too can bend cling film to your will.
By Erica Martinez
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Grocery
By Erica Martinez
Hidden Valley comes out with new flavors every spring and this year has some great options to choose from, but that hasn't stopped this one from standing out.
By Erica Martinez
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You can make a boxed cake better with homemade frosting and pretty adornments, but you can also greatly improve the taste and texture with this simple step.
By Erica Martinez
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Slow-cooked with love, or straight outta the can, finish that warm bowl of chili with the protein packed topping that gives sour cream a run for its money.
By Erica Martinez
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Fast Food
By Erica Martinez
When you think of fast food, it isn't often that athletes come to mind. But this famous golfer is the proud owner of several Five Guys franchises.
By Erica Martinez
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Egg creams may be so last century, but what were fans of the soda fountain favorite really drinking? Here's why the egg cream name is totally misleading.
By Erica Martinez
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Grocery stores make it easy to get the ingredients you need, but people are beginning to make things themselves again. Should you be making homemade butter?
By Erica Martinez
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Starbucks is known for its unique way of ordering drink sizes, but there's one size that seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle we wish would make a return.
By Erica Martinez
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Italian food has a reputation for being simple and delicious, and 3-ingredient fettuccine Alfredo is no exception. So, what are the origins of Alfredo sauce?
By Erica Martinez
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This side dish is easy to prepare, wonderfully flavorful, and incredibly versatile. And perhaps most importantly, it happens to be Ina Garten's favorite.
By Erica Martinez
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Grocery
By Erica Martinez
If you're a cheese lover, the next time you're at Costco, be sure to check out this one piece of cheese. It's an absolute bargain at Costco.
By Erica Martinez
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To make an excellent version of a sandwich as simple as this French three-ingredient classic, you know that the ingredients need to be something special.
By Erica Martinez
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Elevate your grilled cheese and realize your late-nite destiny. Properly rest your grilled cheese sandwich so you can finally cut into gooey greatness.
By Erica Martinez
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Fast Food
By Erica Martinez
Tangy, sweet, and slightly smoky, Chick-fil-A sauce has a taste that is all its own. But what ingredients actually go into this popular condiment?
By Erica Martinez
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Costco is known for selling affordable products, and this chain consistently sells one traditionally expensive type of meat at very low prices.
By Erica Martinez
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There is no need to spend hours and hours making a pie from scratch when you can just head to the freezer section at the nearest Aldi instead.
By Erica Martinez
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History
By Erica Martinez
Taste Music City history with ice cold beer, hot chicken, and Backwoods Barbie. Here's the East Nashville dive bar that gets Dolly Parton's seal of approval.
By Erica Martinez
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History
By Erica Martinez
Hot beef sundaes are a fun dish associated with the Iowa State Fair. Despite its humble origins, the dish has been served in the Capitol on two occasions.
By Erica Martinez
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There are lots of ways to elevate a classic apple pie. But one creamy ingredient can really take it to the next level, according to a top pastry chef.
By Erica Martinez
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Beef and broccoli is a simple but nutritious meal that made its way to the United States via China. For a more authentic recipe, try swapping this ingredient.
By Erica Martinez
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We got the scoop from an expert, and it turns out that the the secret to making perfectly cooked steaks at home is your oven. Here's the method.
By Erica Martinez
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History
By Erica Martinez
Wax candy is having a moment on social media as home DIYers put their recipes online, but what exactly are people eating when they chomp on this candy?
By Erica Martinez
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History
By Erica Martinez
Brach's Marshmallow Eggs have been a staple for Easter egg hunts for years now, but people have been having trouble finding them. Have they been discontinued?
By Erica Martinez
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While you might think you can't go wrong with bacon, some brands are better than others. The Takeout's least favorite bacon came from a popular grocery brand.
By Erica Martinez
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