Monika Sudakov
School
Chapman University, University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Expertise
Culinary Education, Food History, Food Anthropology
- In 2015, Monika became a Certified Culinary Professional with the International Association of Culinary Professionals
- She was the innkeeper and chef of an award-winning bed and breakfast featuring gourmet cuisine for 18 years.
- Her master's thesis entitled "Moroccan Tea Ritual: Religion, Gender, Socio-Economics and Hospitality" was published by Lambert Academic Press in 2010.
Experience
Monika has worked in the culinary field since 2005 as a chef, cooking instructor, and cookbook author. She began her career as a writer with regular contributions to the mental health website The Mighty, in 2016. Over the years she has written on topics related to chronic illness, trauma, cooking for dietary restrictions, and hospitality. In 2022, she fused her experience as a culinary professional with her research in food and culture and her acumen as a writer by joining the team at Daily Meal.
Education
Monika has a Bachelor's Degree in French, a Bachelor's in Fine Arts in Media Performance, and a Master's Degree in Cultural Anthropology.
The Daily Meal’s content comes from an authoritative editorial staff that is dedicated to current and comprehensive coverage. With an aim to provide only informative and engaging content, our writers, editors, and experts take care to craft clear and concise copy on all things food-related, from news in the food service industry to in-depth explainers about what’s found in readers’ refrigerators, original recipes from experienced chefs, and more.
Our team also regularly reviews and updates articles as necessary to ensure they are accurate. For more information on our editorial process, view our full policies page.
Stories By Monika Sudakov
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What exactly makes Hawaiian barbecue different from other types? From its history to what you'll find on your plate, here's what you need to know about it.
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To demystify the high-protein cereal selections available, I sampled some of the many options, then assessed each based on my own set of criteria.
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Canned vegetables are more useful and versatile than most people realize but they need to be prepared correctly. Here are some easy mistakes to avoid.
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Crab legs are delicious, but cooking them is easier said than done, especially if you're new to them. Here are the mistakes our resident chef warns to avoid.
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We tried and ranked all of Jose Cuervo's Ready To Drink premade margaritas so you'll know what to reach for the next time you need to party in a pinch.
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From specialty sauces and garnishes, to selecting the perfect side dishes and pairing the best wines, these tips will take your steak dinner to new levels.
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A viral packing tape hack claims to make peeling hard-boiled eggs a snap. Does it really? We've tested the trick out ourselves to find the answer.
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Many of the best comfort foods include velvety melted cheese. Here's our expert advice on which cheeses work best for melting into delicious home cooking.
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We tasted the new Chocolatey Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats to see if this marriage between a classic and a chocolate peanut butter cup is worth the hype.
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If you're ready to swap the Nestle for chocolate that's delicious, high-quality, and, if possible, ethically sourced, these options are a great starting point.
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If you feel like a quick and easy margarita, Caiman Jack's canned margaritas are a fruity, flavorful option. Here's our ranking of all the flavors they offer.
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With so many varieties of tomatoes available, there are some pitfalls that you should be aware of when selecting, preparing, and cooking them.
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Part art and part science, cooking with alcohol requires finesse, patience, and know-how to develop the complexity of aroma, flavor, and texture it can confer.
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Salmon's a versatile dish, meaning you can elevate it with all sort of ingredients you might not expect. Daily Meal's expert chef has a few ideas.
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The perfect breakfast sandwich must be made from bread that can withstand hearty ingredients without falling apart. It must also be easy to bite into.
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A classic bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich is great, but if you're bored with the same old morning sammie, there are plenty of ways to level it up.
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To help you select the appropriate meat for pot roast, I have compiled a list of cuts to use and those to avoid based on my experience and expertise.
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To get the most out of your next wine tasting without feeling foolish, you should master the art of spitting. It isn't a nasty habit, it's essential.
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Salmon can be made in a variety of ways, and a variety of side dishes can perfectly complement it. We search through Daily Meal's archives for some of the best.
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We took one for the team and tasted 14 different cookies from Tate's Bake Shop to find out which flavor is the best. Here's the one you need to stock up on.
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Giving a new twist on the dirty soda, Coffee mate and Dr Pepper have teamed up to create a coconut lime taste sensation. Here's our review of how it tastes.
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Looking to upgrade your store-bought pancake mix? These 27 ingredient swaps will give you fluffier, tastier, creamier pancakes with no added effort.
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Tomatoes are the versatile culinary darlings of cultures across the globe as they morph from sauce to soup to salad with just a little know-how.
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Store-bought soup is convenient, but which brands give you the best, healthiest ingredients? Here's what a nutritionist and experienced chef say.
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It may seem surprising, but sausages can be cooked straight from the freezer. Here's our run down of the best way to do so, ranked from worst to best.
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Though recipes for classic corned beef are ubiquitous, there are some basic rules of thumb to follow with this dish to guarantee flavorful and tender meat.
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Shepherd's pie used to be made with all sorts of ingredients, and who says it can't now? Try some of these ingredient swaps to elevate your next shepherd's pie.