Ilene V. Smith - Chowhound

Location

New York, NY

School

New York University, Columbia University

Expertise

Nutrition, Food Production, Culinary Arts

Ilene has helped the food industry craft stories about the foods they grow, produce, serve, and put on store shelves for 25 years.
She has won two Silver Anvil awards from the Public Relations Society of America for campaigns highlighting the health benefits of specific foods.
She is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

Experience

Ilene has been a writer and storyteller since she got her first typewriter at age ten. She worked as a full-time editor and writer for various publishing companies until her personal passion for food, nutrition, and fitness led her to seek a degree in nutrition and exercise physiology. After graduation, she found a way to combine her writing skills and nutrition expertise working in public relations for the food industry. Working with everyone from small start-ups to large multinational consumer packaged goods manufacturers to ingredient suppliers and restaurants, Ilene developed a deep knowledge of the food industry and culinary arts, from seed to spoon and farm to fork. In addition to nutrition, she now writes about food ingredients, cooking techniques, growing methods, and more. In her spare time, Ilene is a personal essayist and is at work on a book of essays entitled "The Accidental Career Girl."

Education

Ilene has a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications from New York University and a master's in nutrition and applied physiology from Columbia University.

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Stories By Ilene V. Smith

Cooking

Cooking By Ilene V. Smith

Your Air Fryer Is The Answer For A Small Batch Of Homemade Muffins

If you're craving muffins for breakfast, but don't want to deal with the process (and mess) of baking a large batch, make them in your air fryer. Here's how.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Ilene V. Smith

What Is Champagne Actually Made Of?

Though it may seem obvious what goes into a bottle of Champagne, you may be surprised at a few items hiding in the ingredient list.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Ilene V. Smith

How Frozen Hot Chocolate Became A Pop Culture Phenomenon

First made popular at New York City restaurant Serendipity 3, frozen hot chocolate has captured the love and loyalty of hot cocoa enthusiasts.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Facts

Facts By Ilene V. Smith

Why There Are So Many Frozen Food Listeria Recalls Recently

Frozen food recalls related to listeria contamination have felt like a dime a dozen in 2024. Here's why this might be, plus what to know about the bacteria.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Kitchen

Kitchen By Ilene V. Smith

The Easy Way To Decorate A Cake Without Any Frosting Skills

Maybe you're still an amateur when it comes to cake decorating. That's okay. We asked Anna Gordon of Brooklyn's The Good Batch for some simple solutions.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Cooking

Cooking By Ilene V. Smith

3 Expert Tips For Making Incredible Tomatillo Salsa Verde

For the best tomatillo salsa verde, we turned an executive chef to share his top culinary wisdom on the vibrant, fresh sauce.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Ilene V. Smith

What You Need To Know When Choosing A Filter For Your Homemade Cold Brew

According to a chemist and coffee expert, which filter you select for you cold brew coffee could make all the difference.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Facts

Facts By Ilene V. Smith

How Idaho Became The Undisputed Potato Capital

First coming to the state in 1860s, potatoes have dominated Idaho's agricultural business for a number of historical reasons.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Facts

Facts By Ilene V. Smith

Why To'ak Chocolate Is The Most Expensive In The World

With a hefty $220 price tag, artisan chocolate company To'ak can claim to sell the most expensive chocolate in the world.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Ilene V. Smith

Why Some Grocery Stores Sell Alcohol And Others Don't

Like your grocery haul with a nice bottle of cabernet? Find out why not every grocery store in the U.S. has the same regulations for selling alcohol.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Facts

Facts By Ilene V. Smith

Why Is It Called A New York Strip Steak?

What's the story behind the naming of the tender and juicy cut that is a New York strip? It may not be quite as exciting as you would have expected.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Kitchen

Kitchen By Ilene V. Smith

The Imperative Step To Take Immediately After Adding Pasta To Boiling Water

Creating the perfect pasta requires some patience. That's why you need to remember one crucial part in the process once you've put your pasta in boiling water.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Cooking

Cooking By Ilene V. Smith

For A Fall-Inspired Beef Stew, Swap Broth For A Fruity Ingredient

There are lots of ways you can experiment with the braising liquid in stews, adding new and unique flavors to the dish. This one is particularly tasty for fall!
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Cooking

Cooking By Ilene V. Smith

How Long Should You Cook Brisket? Follow This Expert Advice

If you're looking to cook some brisket, you'll want to have a game plan. Here's how long you should cook this prized cut according to a pro.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Kitchen

Kitchen By Ilene V. Smith

Here's How To Cook A Tagine Dish Without A Tagine

If you want to make tagine-style dish but don't have a traditional tagine, look to this common cooking vessel to solve all your problems.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Kitchen

Kitchen By Ilene V. Smith

Gordon Ramsay's Clever Method For Thin And Crispy English Pancakes

Gordon Ramsay uses a piping hot pan and a tried-and-true technique to make the crispiest, thinnest English pancakes imaginable.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Cooking

Cooking By Ilene V. Smith

The 6-Strand Braiding Technique Produces The Most Defined Challah Bread

The idea of braiding sweet, eggy challah into six strands is daunting. But this TikToker shows us how to keep track of the strands as you twist and turn them.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Ilene V. Smith

The Nespresso Tip That Transforms Any Coffee Pod Into Espresso

There are two methods for turning a Nespresso coffee pod into a double espresso. Both provide the richness of an espresso and that gorgeous foamy crema.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Shopping

Shopping By Ilene V. Smith

How Trader Joe's Determines Which Fan-Favorite Products Will Get Discontinued

Though it can be a sad day when Trader Joe's discontinues your favorite product, these decisions are made with smart business practices in mind.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Cooking

Cooking By Ilene V. Smith

When To Use Chicken Thighs As Opposed To Breasts In Recipes

A number of factors, including cooking time and method, determine whether you should use lean chicken breasts or rich chicken thighs for a recipe.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Facts

Facts By Ilene V. Smith

The Restaurants Andrew Zimmern Thinks Serve The Best Pizza In America

Chef Andrew Zimmern reveals his least bizarre picks for the best pizza restaurant in America. Join in to grab a slice of the really good stuff.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Cooking

Cooking By Ilene V. Smith

The Expert Advice You Need To Make Perfect Empanada Dough

Jose Horrach, executive chef of Chica & The Don, feels your frustration with empanada dough. But he has a tip for ensuring your dough comes out just right.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Cooking

Cooking By Ilene V. Smith

The Worst Mistakes Causing Your Sponge Cake To Sink, According To Paul Hollywood

One thing that truly irks Paul Hollywood is when there's a dip in the middle of a cake's sponge, especially since it is a mistake that's easy to avoid.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Ilene V. Smith

What Makes Muscadine Wine Different From Moscato?

Muscadine and moscato wines might share similar-sounding names, but the two differ in terms of their origins, grape species, and popularity.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Facts

Facts By Ilene V. Smith

What Separates Soup Dumplings From Wontons?

When you see soup dumplings on the menu, it wouldn't be unusual if an image of wontons popped into your mind. However, there are a few differences.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Ilene V. Smith

The Best Substitutes For Cardamom Are Already In Your Pantry

I's perplexing to find your pantry bare of cardamom, which is notoriously difficult to replace. Fortunately, you likely already have the substitutes on hand.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Kitchen

Kitchen By Ilene V. Smith

Can You Store Gravy In The Freezer?

It's hard to believe anyone would have leftover gravy, but if you do, your hard work doesn't have to go to waste. You can simply freeze the gravy - probably.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More

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