Lauren Wood
Location
St. Petersburg, FL
School
University Of South Florida - St. Petersburg
Expertise
Restaurant History, TikTok Recipes, Quirky Food Facts
- Lauren loves attempting to make desserts from scratch and reviewing recipes from viral cookbooks, such as Snoop Dogg's "From Crook to Cook" and "Friends: The Official Cookbook."
- Lauren has worked one-on-one with a former Food and Travel Editor for the Tampa Bay Times, who has since encouraged her to visit other countries and write about international cuisine.
- She graduated summa cum laude and is now a chapter member of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society in journalism and mass communication. Only 10% of graduating journalism students are invited to join.
Experience
Lauren is a Florida-based writer with over four years of journalistic experience in the food and entertainment fields. In 2022, she received a certification regarding social marketing and ran a business account dedicated to Instant Pot recipes. She enjoys working on human-interest features and historical explorations of charming cities. Her passion for creative writing helps her produce articles with a distinct voice and style that is both personable and objective.
Education
Lauren received her BA in Mass Communications and Digital Media Studies. At USF, she excelled in numerous reporting classes (advanced, multimedia, and mass reporting) along with photojournalism, culture, food writing, and social media.
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 Lauren Wood
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If you think the French toast at your local diner has gotten expensive, wait until you hear about the French toast that comes coated with literal gold.
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For fans of the grandiose, you can visit a restaurant in Pigeon Forge that features the animated stuff of your childhood dreams -- or nightmares.
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Those with great dining etiquette make great dinner guests. Next time you’re at a dinner party, watch out for this habit you may not be aware of.
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Many states have strange and obscure laws on the books, but this Georgia law banning the use of a fork for fried chicken might just take the cake.
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You may have wondered what the meaning is behind those colored tags on the bread you buy from the supermarket. The color actually matters a lot.
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Between In-N-Out Burger and Burger King, you may have noticed that fast food workers often wear hats. Here's why hats are so popular in the industry.
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Upon inspecting the different olive oil options, you may wonder about the difference between yellow and green olive oil. The answer is a bit complicated.
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There are countless hacks on the internet for peeling and cutting onions. But this TikTok video about slicing onions with a vegetable peeler is a game-changer.
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Most people like nachos, but if you're traveling in the United Kingdom, we can't say that we'd recommend ordering nachos from Subway anytime soon.
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In 1996, Taco Bell started a rumor that had people up in arms about the company's plans to purchase the Liberty Bell. Was any of it ever actually true?
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Homemade whipped cream can be better than the store-bought stuff, but it's easy to go overboard with the add-ins and sweeteners. Here's what to know.
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If you want to take your cocktails to the next level, adding an element of smokiness is a solid bet. But is it possible to smoke ice cubes?
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Trader Joe's has unveiled a new, powdered ketchup seasoning. Here's what, exactly, it is, along with how you can incorporate it into your meals.
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Have you ever wondered what the difference is between grilled pizza and wood-fired pizza, or why one might be better than the other? Here's what's up.
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Espresso machines can run up to $700. Luckily, there's another way to obtain this professional-grade foam, and you likely already have the tools to make it.
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If you're a pickle lover, you're not alone. But what exactly are bread and butter pickles, and how do they differ from traditional dill pickles?
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If your zucchini noodles always seem to end up soggy, there's an easy solution. Just pop them in the air fryer, and they'll be perfectly cooked, every time.
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If you're using your Instant Pot for the first time, you should perform a water test to make sure it works. But did you know you can make eggs during the test?
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What's better in the morning than a steaming cup of coffee with egg? Egg in the coffee -- not on the side. COnfused? Eggs are the secret to Sweden's coffee.
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Wet burritos can be made wet with chipotle, queso, or queso-Blanco sauce. But what makes this different from a regular burrito, and why is it unique?
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Frozen vegetables can be just as — or even more — nutritious than their fresh counterparts. But if you're defrosting them before cooking, there's a better way.
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Fried chicken is a favorite among many but it can be tricky to get the breading just right. Here's a tip that will ensure your breading sticks to your chicken.
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If you like your after-dinner drink with a chocolatey kick, you may already know about Godiva chocolate liqueurs. But what type of alcohol is in these liqueurs?
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Bourbon and whiskey are pretty similar in flavor and color, but they are not exactly the same. So, what's the difference?
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Barney Kroger's initial efforts have expanded dramatically since his first store and horse-and-wagon expeditions. But what was Kroger first called?
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Denny's all-day favorites make it a (literal) grand slam for the breakfast community. But when it first opened, Denny's was called Danny's. Why?
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Hot chocolate is a winter favorite, but have you ever tasted Mexican hot chocolate? Your taste buds will love this spicy spin and the treats that pair with it.