Dena J. DiOrio
School
New York University, University Of Denver
Expertise
Conscious Eating, Hospitality Industry, Culinary Tourism
- Dena gives historical culinary walking tours of Charleston with the area's premier tour company.
- She previously served in two NYC Michelin-starred restaurants.
- Growing up in a big Italian/Slovak restaurant family provided Dena with an appreciation for all things food.
Experience
Dena J. DiOrio is a professional writer, storyteller, communications consultant, and self-proclaimed foodie with 20 years of experience in travel, tourism & hospitality. Dena's writing career began in 2008 with her first published article on environmentally friendly commercial kitchen equipment which ran in Food Arts magazine. Since then, her coverage includes an array of topics, ranging from experiential travel, food & beverage, spa, wellness, parenting, outdoors and recreation. Dena moved to Charleston from New York City where she worked for some of the world's top-rated restaurants and international hotel brands. She also served as a Senior Account Executive at a notable boutique travel PR firm which allowed her to integrate her passions for food, travel, and writing while eating her way around the globe.
Education
Dena holds a bachelor's degree in French from the University of Denver and a master's degree in professional writing from the School of Professional Studies at New York University.
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Stories By Dena J. DiOrio
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When working with thawed, previously frozen coconut milk, you must bring the separated liquid and solids back together in a process called reconstitution.
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Some unlikely ingredients to consider adding to your bean salad are fennel, daikon radish, capers, nuts and seeds, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onions.
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Served cold or at room temperature, sauce gribiche typically accompanies fish, chicken, or other meats or tops roasted or steamed seasonal vegetables.
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The quick fix to correct an overly sour dish lies in the shadows of your kitchen pantry. Adding a sweet ingredient, such as sugar or honey, will do the trick.
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Brazil nuts are packed with monounsaturated fats and high levels of nutrients, including selenium, which is present in soil and found in certain foods.
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To reheat risotto and make it taste brand-new, simply reintroduce to the rice the same hot cooking liquid used to make it (or a dash of white wine will do).
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Traditionally made with flour or a mixture of flour and cornmeal, "calamari fritti," as it's known in Italian, takes on a newfound crispness by way of cornmeal.
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With a milder, sweeter taste, broccolini resonates well with roasting, as the caramelization that ensues brings out the plant's sweetness and earthy undertones.
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The simple prep work needed to prevent soggy bruschetta is to remove the bitter tomato skins and seeds before you assemble the toast slices.
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If you find yourself in a pesto emergency and need to sub something for pine nuts in a pinch, look no further than the cashews in your pantry.
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Pasta salads contain a variety of savory ingredients, such as cured meats, hard or semi-soft cheeses, olives, nuts, beans, or sun-dried tomatoes.
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With the help of a few kitchen staples, you can shake out a delicious grated parmesan topping without letting moisture and clumping get in the way.