Wendy Mead
School
Bard College, Emerson College
Expertise
American History, Alternative Rock, Celebrity Biographies
- Wendy has written several biographies, including one on President William H. Taft and another one on author Judy Blume.
- Wendy delved into what it was like to live colonial America for "The Merchant," a title in Cavendish Square's Colonial People series. She even had to develop a recipe reflective of that time.
- Despite mostly streaming music these days, Wendy still won't part with her insane CD collection. She has hundreds and hundreds of them, from every Talking Heads album to the complete works of Frank Sinatra.
Experience
Wendy started out in newspapers, working as an editor for a business monthly and then as a reporter for American Banker. She made the switch to book publishing, where she worked for Scholastic on two of their children's nonfiction imprints. She went on to write several nonfiction books for young readers, tackling topics from American history to music to animals. As a freelance writer, she worked for a number of clients, including Biography.com. There, she created profiles on all sorts of people, from actor Paul Newman to soccer star Pelé. She joined Grunge as a news writer in 2021, and she loves putting her sharp research skills to good use on a fascinating array of subjects, including interesting episodes in rock history and tales of classic Hollywood.
Education
Wendy has a bachelor's degree in Literature from Bard College and a master of fine arts degree from Emerson College in Creative Writing.
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Stories By Wendy Mead
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Bourbon, which is a type of whiskey, provides a special boost to barbeque sauce, lending a sweetness and smokiness that amplifies the condiment's ingredients.
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Like Air is a purveyor of snacks that are a lot like popcorn. As a bonus, it's as healthy as it is tasty. But were the sharks as keen as the brand's fans?
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Pickled eggs are a satisfying snack placed on bar tops across America. But if they've been there too long they could become rubbery. Here's how to avoid it.
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Many home cooks have secret ingredients that they add to banana bread to elevate its flavor. For Chrissy Teigen, one pantry staple does the trick.
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To create a creamy, dreamy, and non-dairy ice cream at home, look no further than some silken tofu as your secret ingredient. Here's why this recipe works.
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If you do this the right way, no one will even know its canned tomato soup. But what kind of spinach is best for achieving a made-from-scratch taste?
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Hot Pockets might bring up a sense of nostalgia for some; for others, they're still a part of a busy day. Transform canned biscuits into your own Hot Pockets.
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Though deviled eggs are a classic crowd-pleaser, you can spice this appetizer up by adding some ingredients from another well-loved dish: Greek salad.
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When sautéing ingredients for homemade pasta sauce, chef and TV personality Bobby Flay skips the extra virgin olive oil for another, more adaptable cooking oil.
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Ketchup can be used for more than burgers and french fries - you can also add the condiment as the secret ingredient in stir fry sauce to bring it up a notch.
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Transform your dip game with Thai curry pastes! For a fusion of heat and depth, elevate classic dip bases, like sour cream or hummus with them.
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Wondering what makes Detroit-style pizza taste so incredibly rich? Just look to the cheese, of course. And it's not just on pizza where it can work its magic.
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While vanilla ice cream is delicious, it's just as easy to take that basic ice cream formula and give it a distinctive flavor twist by adding cinnamon.
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Want to add a sweet and spicy kick to your bowl of popcorn? Sprinkle on some Old Bay seasoning to give it that Maryland-style flavor you love.
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The trendy kitchen setup is not only the thing of designer renovation dreams; it comes with a high level of practical value as well, says the host.
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You may have heard of it being used in desserts like Japanese mochi, but have you considered adding the adzuki bean paste to your morning routine?
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Andrew Zimmern is an accomplished chef with years of experience, which has taught him which kitchen items are a must-have and which ones are a hard pass.
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Try the famed TV chef's simple decorating trick to creating a beautiful chevron pattern on your next cake, with room to add your own creative flair.
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By adding moisture and a distinctive tangy flavor profile, cottage cheese goes a long way to improve an otherwise dull or stale tasting veggie patty.
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The classic creamy potato bake gets a non-traditional update using sweet potatoes. But this seemingly easy swap requires a few pointers along the way.
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Charred lemon really helps take Rachael Ray's TikTok-famous crispy smashed potatoes to the next level. We'll tell you how to incorporate this unique ingredient.
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Cranberry sauce is associated with the holidays but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed year round. Do the berries have enough pectin for canning preserves?
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Ice cream makers can get expensive, but there’s a way to make homemade ice cream with two coffee cans, some simple supplies, and a bit of extra work.
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Not to be confused with muscat wine, moscatel vinegar is the unique ingredient you need to upgrade almost any dish -- it's really that versatile.
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You may be accustomed to cooking apples alongside your pork dishes, but gooseberries let you try something new while still getting a delicious outcome.
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Step up your pastry decorating skills with a cake decorating syringe! This decorating tool gives you more control than a standard pastry bag.
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Coconut cake is a beloved pastry that incorporates myriad flavors and textures. Egg whites can heighten that texture while maintaining all the flavor.