School
University of Western Ontario
Expertise
Comfort food, Budget meals, Creative recipe ideas
- Ian has has worked as a cook in several restaurants, ranging from fine dining to roadhouse to an old-fashioned diner.
- He has developed many of his own recipes with unique twists, including a number of horror-themed recipes for an intended movie-inspired cookbook.
- He has been cooking since he was a child when he learned the value of being frugal, stretching a budget and ingredients to make a lot from a little, while never having to skimp on taste.
Experience
Ian is a professional writer with over 17 years experience. He also went to culinary school and has spent time developing and testing new recipe ideas. Some of his work has also delved into trying new, rare, and even intimidating foods like ghost peppers in pursuit of an interesting story and a fresh perspective. As a writer, Ian has covered food from several perspectives ranging from simple reviews of new products to the more in-depth science of things like GMOs, how chemicals create certain flavors, and more. He doesn't just enjoy the food -- it's also understanding what makes it interesting and unique in the first place, whether that be history, chemistry, or something else.
Education
Ian earned a degree in English and Philosophy before moving on to a post-graduate Communications and Public Relations program
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.
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Shopping Tips
By Ian Fortey 6 hours ago
San Marzano tomatoes have a reputation for a reason, but they aren't the only option for rich, flavorful sauce. One affordable alternative stands out.
By Ian Fortey 6 hours ago
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey 13 hours ago
Meatloaf is a standby savory dish that can be reinterpreted many ways, and one of the easiest reinventions comes courtesy of a classic soup mix.
By Ian Fortey 13 hours ago
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Fast Food
By Ian Fortey 18 hours ago
If you'd like to sample the international flavors of McDonald's without needing a passport, tweak a Big Mac to experience a German standby burger.
By Ian Fortey 18 hours ago
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Pizzerias
By Ian Fortey 5 days ago
If you need some inspiration when customizing your Pizza Hut pie, add a Canadian flair for hearty slices. No, we're not talking pineapple here.
By Ian Fortey 5 days ago
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Pizzerias
By Ian Fortey 5 days ago
If Pizza Hut is your go-to for pepperoni pizza, there are a few ordering tips that can take your pie to the next level.
By Ian Fortey 5 days ago
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Fast Food
By Ian Fortey 5 days ago
Onions are a divisive choice that can become a contentious topic when ordering a burger, and that's before we even get into what type of onion is being used.
By Ian Fortey 5 days ago
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Fast Food
By Ian Fortey 6 days ago
The feature transformed the experience of dining at Wendy's, and many fans remember it with nostalgia to this day. Today, it's a relic of the past.
By Ian Fortey 6 days ago
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Grilling and Smoking Tips
By Ian Fortey 7 days ago
Adjusting your charcoal grill's vents can help you control the heat without killing the flame. Here's how to get the temperature right.
By Ian Fortey 7 days ago
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Traditions
By Ian Fortey 5 days ago
Simple ingredients create maximum comfort in this affordable regional classic that deserves a spot on modern menus and family tables.
By Ian Fortey 5 days ago
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Fast Food
By Ian Fortey 7 days ago
Some people love Reuben sandwiches, and some people love Jersey Mike's secret menu. But do the two converge in the real world, or is this just a rumor?
By Ian Fortey 7 days ago
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Shopping Tips
By Ian Fortey 8 days ago
Grape jelly is a classic American condiment, but the best option you can find on store shelves surprisingly comes from France. Here's why it's so good.
By Ian Fortey 8 days ago
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Fast Food
By Ian Fortey 8 days ago
This McDonald's sandwich was a total fail, from the mixed reviews to its confusing movie tie-in, so it's no surprise the item was nixed before the year was out.
By Ian Fortey 8 days ago
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Restaurants
By Ian Fortey 8 days ago
Was a 1970s lobster dinner cheaper than today, or is that just an illusion of inflation? Compare vintage menu prices and see how purchasing power compares.
By Ian Fortey 8 days ago
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Fast Food
By Ian Fortey 8 days ago
It's one of America's most popular food brands you probably have at home, and it sells more than a dozen varieties of its own frozen nuggets in stores, too.
By Ian Fortey 8 days ago
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Casual Dining
By Ian Fortey 12 days ago
If you're planning on taking your boomer parents or grandparents out for lunch, know that they probably prefer this casual dining chain most.
By Ian Fortey 12 days ago
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Fast Food
By Ian Fortey 14 days ago
When asked which fast food chain to go to for a fish sandwich, many would point to a McDonald's, but there is one lesser-known chain that's well regarded.
By Ian Fortey 14 days ago
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey 14 days ago
If you want to make ground beef that is 10x more flavorful that your go-to recipe, grab this oil that might already be sitting in your pantry.
By Ian Fortey 14 days ago
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey 14 days ago
While brand preferences and packaging choices are open to debate, the question remains: Does canned or pouched tuna produce a superior tuna salad?
By Ian Fortey 14 days ago
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Exclusives
By Ian Fortey 15 days ago
Following a chain of food recalls, many people are wondering if bagged salad is safe to eat, or if whole heads of lettuce are a better alternative.
By Ian Fortey 15 days ago
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Shopping Tips
By Ian Fortey 16 days ago
Frozen pizza can be more than a quick meal. These 15 frozen pies offer a protein-packed dinner that is as delicious as it is nutritious.
By Ian Fortey 16 days ago
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey 18 days ago
Vincent Price was a Renaissance Man whose interests spanned well beyond acting. The stage and screen legend loved to cook, and roast chicken was a specialty.
By Ian Fortey 18 days ago
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News
By Ian Fortey 18 days ago
It may be the end of August, but Sam's Club knows what it's customers want: not apple pie, not pumpkin, but an entirely different fan-favorite pie flavor.
By Ian Fortey 18 days ago
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Fast Food
By Ian Fortey 19 days ago
If you're looking for a McDonald's McMuffin that boasts just a little more, look to this South African staple for inspiration.
By Ian Fortey 19 days ago
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Fast Food
By Ian Fortey 20 days ago
When a fast food restaurant calls something a limited-time offer, they mean it. But if an item is popular enough, sometimes it may return, like these items.
By Ian Fortey 20 days ago
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Cooking Tips
By Ian Fortey 21 days ago
Making rotisserie chicken at home can be hard, especially when you could pick one up from Costco, but this expert tip makes the effort worth it.
By Ian Fortey 21 days ago
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Food Facts
By Ian Fortey 22 days ago
Though brands might make some minor tweaks here and there, customers have tasted noticeable differences in ranch dressing recipes over the years.
By Ian Fortey 22 days ago
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Stores And Chains
By Ian Fortey 22 days ago
Make better sandwiches with these 15 Aldi condiments that are suitable for satisfying a wide range of palates and are worth tossing in your cart.
By Ian Fortey 22 days ago
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