Expertise
Trader Joes, Iced coffee, Viral food trends
- Despite the fact that it almost gave her heatstroke, Sonora's favorite day of work at The Sacramento Bee was when she and the rest of that summer's interns were sent to taste and review all the food at the California State Fair.
- Before joining the Daily Meal, her favorite piece of food writing she'd done was about genetically modified space lettuce used to help astronauts' bones retain density while in orbit.
- Her enthusiastic endorsement of Trader Joes' squiggly noodles has convinced at least six people to try them (you should add to that number).
Experience
Sonora has worked as a reporter since high school, when writing a feature on a professional juggler made her fall in love with the job. Most recently, she served as the editor-in-chief of The California Aggie, UC Davis' student-run newspaper, where some of her proudest accomplishments were launching a podcast, setting up a coffee station at the office, and bringing back the paper's annual satire issue for the first time since the early 2000s. She also spent time as a copy reader, science and technology staff writer, and campus news desk editor for The Aggie, as well as spending one summer interning for The Sacramento Bee, and another as a news anchor for Nevada County Now. And yes — she has made the viral Olympic Village muffin recipe. And they were delicious.
Education
Sonora has a bachelor's degree in managerial economics and professional writing from UC Davis.
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Costco is a meal preppers dream for many reasons, including the rotisserie chicken secret weapon you should be buying. No, it's not the whole bird.
By Sonora Slater
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This creamy, fruity, Scooby-Doo-inspired shooter is deliciously easy to guzzle. We asked an expert for tips to perfect it and fun swaps to make it even tastier.
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Kitchen Tools
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Leaving your kitchen appliances plugged in may not only increase your electricity bill, but it can also be a safety hazard. Make sure to unplug these.
By Sonora Slater
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Wrapping your sandwich at home like the sandwiches made from the deli might seem like a silly idea, but it's important not to skip this simple step.
By Sonora Slater
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Food History
By Sonora Slater
The history of the gumball machine is rooted further back than you might expect, and it hit a surprising snag during Prohibition in the 1920s.
By Sonora Slater
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Kitchen Tools
By Sonora Slater
Tiny kitchens can test the skills of even the most confident home cook. Celebrity chef Dave Chang suggests three appliances every small kitchen should have.
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Coffee And Tea
By Sonora Slater
Wondering which plant-based milk to choose for the frothiest and creamiest latte? Here's an expert's take on the best and worst dairy-free milk for your coffee.
By Sonora Slater
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Restaurants
By Sonora Slater
Cracker Barrel has a lot of tasty sides, but unfortunately broccoli is not one of them. Here's why you should avoid it, and how to make better broccoli at home.
By Sonora Slater
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If you find yourself with a surplus of Indian food, don't just reheat it in the microwave. Toss it inside a burrito for an unforgettable morning meal.
By Sonora Slater
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Shopping
By Sonora Slater
If you're a candy lover, you'll love this candy store in Cleveland. In fact, it has just about any candy that you can think of. Here's where to find it.
By Sonora Slater
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Restaurants
By Sonora Slater
Besides its hand-cut steaks, Texas Roadhouse is famous for its rolls, but the bread may be unsuitable for diners avoiding dairy. Here's what to know.
By Sonora Slater
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Stores and Chains
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If you're hoping to give your kitchen a quick summer-themed spruce up, there are some fun, cute, and quirky items at HomeGoods that will do the job fabulously.
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Coffee requires growing conditions that are typically found in equatorial regions. However, this American state meets the criteria for coffee production.
By Sonora Slater
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Fast Food
By Sonora Slater
One of the best parts of traveling is sampling the different McDonald's menu items, and the classic Filet-O-Fish is different but no less delicious in Europe.
By Sonora Slater
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Sweet watermelon is a summer barbecue staple, but how do you chop up that ginormous fruit into smaller, bite-sized pieces to feed a crowd? Here's the best way.
By Sonora Slater
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Everyone loves a sweet treat, especially one that's easy to make at home. Here's how to recreate the TikTok-viral recipe for a copycat Snickers.
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Design & Decor
By Sonora Slater
Mason jars are a rustic, all-purpose item with an array of kitchen uses. But they're also your golden ticket to a backyard barbecue with a whimsical vibe.
By Sonora Slater
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Coffee And Tea
By Sonora Slater
If you usually nurse a cup of coffee while eating breakfast like Ina Garten, consider trying a bag of whole beans from her favorite small-batch roaster.
By Sonora Slater
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Making pumpkin hand pies using two store-bought shortcuts makes the prep fast and easy. It's a great trick for a quick snack or last-minute dessert.
By Sonora Slater
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Spicy, smoky barbecue sauce piped into a batch of sweet chocolate cupcakes? Who would've thought such a combination might actually be a thing!
By Sonora Slater
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Fast Food
By Sonora Slater
The Burger King Whopper is a classic for a reason, but according to the fast food giant there are an eye-watering amount of ways to customize it to your tastes.
By Sonora Slater
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Mason jar cookie mixes are the ideal host gift or foodie treat. Use a funnel to achieve aesthetically pleasing layers of ingredients in the jar.
By Sonora Slater
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Fast Food
By Sonora Slater
Released alongside the new Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Taco Bell has also dropped Bell Sauce to dip them in. But, what exactly is Bell Sauce, and how does it taste?
By Sonora Slater
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With just one box of cake mix from the grocery store and two ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, you can bake this delicious dessert.
By Sonora Slater
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Gardening
By Sonora Slater
If you think you're ready to start buying seeds for your garden, think again. This is the step you need to take before you start seed shopping.
By Sonora Slater
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Gardening
By Sonora Slater
If you're looking for a delicious addition for your garden, you should choose cilantro. This versatile herb can enhance food in many different ways.
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Gardening
By Sonora Slater
If you're growing basil in your indoor herb garden, make sure to sow this other herb close by. It can help basil grow into a healthy and more flavorful plant.
By Sonora Slater
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