Allie Sivak
Expertise
Baking Techniques, Food Science, Food Culture
- Allie began her career as a food scientist, most notably working in the test kitchens of Nabisco and Whole Foods Market. She's most proud of developing a line of Whole Foods' traditional and gluten-free baking mixes, as she's loved baking cakes since she was a kid.
- Her passion for food comes from her innate interest in cuisine, its connection to culture, and how it brings people together. Whether it's discussing ideas about how to improve food equity in our communities, eating her way through travel, or simply gathering over a meal with her friends, she is ever-curious and motivated about the way food connects us.
- Through her writing about the intersection of food, storytelling, and culture, she hopes to be a thought leader and conversation starter about the joy, complexity, and importance of food in our world.
Experience
Allie is a freelance writer based in Denver, Colorado. In 2019, she combined her expertise in food with her passion for writing when she started contributing to local food publications and restaurant reviews as a way to get to know and experience the cities where she lived. Years later, her writing has been featured in a wide range of lifestyle and culinary publications, including Yoga Journal, 5280 (Denver's Mile High Magazine), Chowhound, Foodie, The Daily Meal, and the Female Foodie restaurant review.
Education
Allie has Bachelors of Science degrees in food science and dairy science.
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 Allie Sivak
-
Whether you're doing a slow smoke or a quick sear on the grill, adding mesquite to the mix results in a bolder BBQ. Here's the rundown on its flavor profile.
-
The Mounds ice cream bar had a short yet sweet run; after delighting customers for a few summers, the ice cream bars were discontinued in 2015. Here's why.
-
You don't have to waste precious buttercream frosting in your practice sessions. Find out how to use mustard to get the perfect lettering on your cake.
-
There's a genius hack that can help you forgo the mess as you pour pancake batter onto the skillet: repurposing condiment bottles for a tidy depositing tool.
-
An electric smoker works BBQ magic with ease and convenience. But, here's one important tip to follow when cooking meat that will produce the best results.
-
While rinsing some produce under water in the sink does the trick, it can waste water and is a bit ineffective in fully cleaning certain veggies.
-
There's one must-have tool for cutting cake into even layers without compromising their texture: a serrated knife with sharp, ridged edges.
-
As with other fatty offal meat cuts, it's essential to know how to cook pork bung so it's moist and juicy, not overly tough when you take a bite.
-
Just what exactly is going on with Costco's rotisserie chicken? Here's why Redditors have taken to the site to sound off about their poultry problems.
-
Everything tastes better barbequed. So, how about cake? If you've wondered if it's possible to bake on the grill, here's what you need to know.
-
Choosing a wedding cake is a big decision (especially for foodies). Besides flavor, shape -- square or round -- is a matter of taste. Here's what to consider.
-
Aldi has its own exclusive in-house brand that is known as Winking Owl wines. The brand behind the label is E&J Gallo Winery, based out of Modesto, California.
-
Summer offers ripe, red, and juicy strawberries, so it's the perfect season for dipping them. Here's the best type of chocolate to use for coating fruits.
-
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Roy Choi's signature teriyaki sauce can now be found at bulk retailer Costco, but it's only in select stores.
-
Canned beans are a nutritious, easy food you should use more often. Level up this pantry staple with a simple marinade for a big flavor boost. Here's how.
-
You've baked your best batch of cookie bars but can't eat the whole pan in one go... No worries: Here's the best way to store them and keep them moist.
-
Adding miso to chocolate cake batter can transform your favorite recipe into something even more decadent. Here's how and why to use this secret ingredient.
-
Whether dipping strawberries, drizzling scoops of ice cream, or topping a cake, melted chocolate can't be too thick. Here's a tip on how to thin it out easily.
-
When using fresh fruit, there's one slicing tip that's key to showcasing the fruit's taste: cutting the fruit in a minimum of half-inch slices.
-
Fresh pineapples are sweet and refreshing -- but sometimes, you pick a not so ripe one at the store. Try this simple hack to get juicy pineapple every time.
-
Yogurt-based tzatziki dip is a great way to lighten classic summer pasta salad. Here’s how the Greek sauce can bring bright, refreshing flavor to the party.
-
Sardines' aquatic yet not-too-intense taste, combined with their meaty texture, make sardines the perfect protein for fish tacos in a pinch.
-
Bacon, prosciutto, ham, and sausage, they're all preserved meats, but what's up with the "cured" and "uncured" labels? Here's what you need to know.
-
The glaze, when gently brushed atop cut and assembled strawberries, acts to preserve the moisture in the fruit as the cake sits, adding a pop of brightness.
-
A sought-after flavor in all savory dishes is the highly moreish umami. Here's what you need to know about Tekka, a Japanese condiment you want to be using.
-
The differences between American and European sour cream may be subtle, but once you understand them, you will never mix them up ever again.
-
Palm sugar and coconut sugar, you may have seen them on some recipes and store-bought ingredient lists. But are they the same thing? Here are the facts.