About Serious Eats: Our Story, Mission, and People
Rigorous recipe testing meets transparency to help cooks gain confidence in every dish.
About Serious Eats
Serious Eats is a leading online destination for home cooks, food enthusiasts, and anyone who loves exploring every aspect of the culinary world. Since its launch in 2006, Serious Eats has built an unwavering reputation for rigorously tested recipes, evidence-driven kitchen techniques, and an inclusive approach to food culture. With a mission rooted in empowering readers to cook better, understand food science, and enjoy diverse culinary traditions, the site has become a trusted authority in the digital landscape of food and cooking.
Our Purpose and Mission
The core philosophy of Serious Eats is that anyone can become a better, more confident cook when given the right tools, trustworthy information, and encouragement. Our mission is sustained by a commitment to transparency, skepticism, and an openness to revision when new evidence or reader insight comes to light.
- Evidence-Based Cooking: We are passionate about exploring the science behind food, using experiments and technical analysis to take the guesswork out of home cooking.
- Empowerment: Our content helps readers develop culinary intuition and independent thinking by demystifying complex topics.
- Accessibility: We strive to make recipes, guides, and reviews inclusive for all skill levels and backgrounds.
- Diversity & Respect: We celebrate global cuisines, honor tradition, and spotlight a wide range of voices and culinary approaches.
Our Editorial Values
At Serious Eats, integrity shapes every editorial decision. We adhere to high standards in research, recipe development, and reporting. Our editorial team is committed to:
- Accuracy: Every recipe or recommendation is rigorously tested in-house, often by multiple editors and contributors before publication.
- Transparency: We clearly state when we are updating a technique, correcting the record, or refining our recommendations based on new data.
- No Sponsored Content: Editorial coverage is always independent; product reviews and roundups never accept compensation or free samples from manufacturers, ensuring unbiased and honest evaluations.
- Community Engagement: Readers are encouraged to share their experiences, feedback, and suggestions, which often inform future content and improvements.
What Sets Serious Eats Apart?
Serious Eats stands out in the crowded world of culinary media for several reasons:
- Relentless Recipe Testing: Each recipe is cooked and re-cooked, with dozens of tests performed to fine-tune both basic kitchen skills and advanced culinary concepts.
- Culinary Science Literacy: We employ techniques and tools from the world of science—thermometers, scales, controlled experiments—to debunk kitchen myths and discover what genuinely works (see: The Food Lab).
- Educational Focus: Step-by-step photography, visual walkthroughs, and detailed explanations accompany our recipes and guides, making learning intuitive.
- Inclusive Food Coverage: Beyond cooking, Serious Eats explores restaurant culture, ingredient sourcing, food history, and homegrown traditions.
Our Story and History
Serious Eats grew from a personal passion project into one of the world’s most respected food websites.
Founding and Early Days
The site’s founder, Ed Levine, was already renowned for his deeply researched food writing at outlets like the New York Times. In 2006, inspired by his belief that the best food was found both in professional institutions and at home, Levine envisioned a haven for enthusiastic eaters. His goal was to bring the depth and rigor of food journalism and Food Network-style coverage to the digital world, fostering a community of passionate cooks and eaters at every level.
The early years were marked by experimentation—from taste tests across New York City to in-depth food crawls and ingredient analysis. With a lean team of editors often pulling off complex projects themselves, Serious Eats quickly developed a voice known for honesty, humor, and culinary nerdiness.
Growth and Industry Impact
Over the years, Serious Eats expanded its scope while maintaining its editorial independence and core values. The site’s audience grew, consistently ranking among the top food websites worldwide. Serious Eats was instrumental in launching the careers of influential food writers, including J. Kenji López-Alt, whose “Food Lab” columns set new benchmarks for home cooking science.
What others are reading
The site received major recognition from industry leaders, including two James Beard Foundation Awards for Best Food Blog and Best Video Webcast, and a place among Time Magazine’s Top 50 Websites in 2008.
Corporate milestones followed, with Serious Eats becoming part of Fexy Media in 2015, then joining Dotdash as a key property in 2020—moves that expanded its reach while protecting its independent editorial voice.
Our Most Notable Series
Serious Eats has become famous for specialized columns and series that have shaped the modern food landscape:
- The Food Lab: Written by J. Kenji López-Alt, this series unpacks the science of everyday cooking, demystifying kitchen techniques and recipes with meticulous experimentation. It inspired the James Beard Award–winning cookbook The Food Lab.
- The Burger Lab: An exhaustive exploration of burger creation, from beef blends and bun textures to scientific grilling methods.
- Equipment Reviews: Unbiased, data-driven testing of cookware, tools, and gadgets—no sponsored posts or free samples allowed.
- Ingredient Taste Tests: Blind, side-by-side comparisons of pantry staples, helping readers find the best brands and products for their kitchens.
- Cultural Deep-dives: Features on regional traditions, restaurant culture, and the wider world of food.
Editorial Process: How We Do What We Do
Recipe Development and Testing
Every recipe published on Serious Eats undergoes a rigorous development cycle:
- Iterative testing by editors and contributors, often across multiple home kitchens
- Scientific tools—such as rapid-read thermometers, scales, and moisture analyzers—ensure reproducible results
- Extensive documentation, including step-by-step photos and process notes for transparency
- Continuous improvement, with recipes revisited and updated based on feedback and new discoveries
Product Reviews and Buying Guides
- Equipment and ingredient reviews are independent; no products are accepted for free or in exchange for coverage
- Review protocols prioritize real-world scenarios and kitchen practicality
- Guides spotlight both budget picks and premium tools, helping every cook make smart investments
Content Diversity and Reader Engagement
- Voices from varied backgrounds and regions contribute personal essays, recipes, and features
- Serious Eats actively seeks out and responds to reader emails and comments, shaping future storylines and addressing reader needs
Meet Some of Our People
| Name | Role/Expertise | Signature Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Ed Levine | Founder, Food Writer | Founded Serious Eats, culinary opinion leader, author |
| J. Kenji López-Alt | Chief Culinary Consultant | “The Food Lab” columnist, cookbook author, kitchen science pioneer |
| Niki Achitoff-Gray | Editor-in-Chief | Editorial direction, recipe development, expanding diversity and transparency |
| Daniel Gritzer | Senior Culinary Director | Advanced cooking techniques, recipe innovation |
| Stella Parks | Pastry Wizard, Cookbook Author | Dessert science, baking recipes, “BraveTart” columnist |
| Carey Jones | Former Managing Editor | Historical perspective, editorial voice, project innovation |
Community and Culture
Beyond recipes, Serious Eats is devoted to a broader community of eaters, celebrating food as both sustenance and story:
- Respect for Origin: We build bridges of cultural understanding by responsibly featuring global traditions and recipes, consulting with cooks and historians alike.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Ongoing initiatives ensure that all voices are honored and reflected in our editorial choices. Our team is intentional about representing a spectrum of backgrounds and perspectives in food journalism.
- Continuous Learning: We remain open to feedback and correction—when readers identify gaps or suggest improvements, we aim to listen and adapt.
Recognition and Awards
- James Beard Awards (2010): Best Food Blog and Best Video Webcast
- Time Magazine (2008): Ranked #17 in the 50 Best Websites
- Industry Impact: Helped raise the standards for recipe testing, food science, and online cooking advice
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Serious Eats’ editorial stance on reviews and recommendations?
All equipment and ingredient reviews are conducted independently without accepting products from manufacturers, advertisers, or PR representatives. Editorial decisions are made solely by the Serious Eats staff, and any partnerships are transparently disclosed to readers.
Can I submit my recipes or articles to Serious Eats?
While Serious Eats has a select editorial team, reader feedback and tips are always welcome. Occasionally, guest essays, recipes, or personal food stories are accepted, particularly when they highlight underrepresented culinary perspectives.
How often are recipes or guides updated?
The Serious Eats team regularly revisits published materials. As better methods or new products emerge, content is updated to reflect current best practices. Transparency in revision history is a key editorial value.
Is Serious Eats suitable for beginner cooks?
Absolutely. While the site covers advanced culinary science, its step-by-step guides, explanatory visuals, and approachable writing style make it accessible to cooks at any level of experience.
How can I stay updated with new content from Serious Eats?
Readers can subscribe to the newsletter, follow Serious Eats on social platforms, and check the homepage for regularly updated features, seasonal collections, and new comprehensive guides.
Contact Us & Feedback
Serious Eats values feedback, suggestions, and stories from its audience. For questions, corrections, or to share your own culinary journey, use the contact page or interact with editors on social platforms. Community engagement has been foundational since day one, continuing to shape the direction and inclusivity of the site.
Connect With Serious Eats
- Newsletter Subscription: Receive the latest recipes, news, and food science directly in your inbox.
- Social Channels: Follow Serious Eats across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and conversations with editors.
- Reader Community: Participate in comments, review product picks, and join discussions about your own food traditions and techniques.
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