Eric Handelsman: Steering Serious Eats and The Spruce Eats Into the Future
Blending recipe passion with smart tech to streamline every cook’s experience.
Eric Handelsman: Guiding the Digital Food Conversation
In the dynamic world of food journalism and digital publishing, few names carry as much weight as Eric Handelsman. As the Senior Vice President of Dotdash’s Food + Drink group, Handelsman stands at the helm of two recognized giants in online food media: Serious Eats and The Spruce Eats . His trajectory—spanning leadership, innovation, and a keen understanding of audience needs—has redefined how millions discover, cook, and engage with food each day.
Meet Eric Handelsman: Leadership in Food Media
Handelsman’s current role at Dotdash puts him in charge of overseeing the strategy and direction of Serious Eats and The Spruce Eats, alongside other flagship food brands .
- Position: Senior Vice President, Dotdash Food + Drink
- Brands Led: Serious Eats, The Spruce Eats, and associated Dotdash food properties
- Focus: Growth strategy, editorial excellence, technology integration, and audience engagement
Handelsman’s leadership is characterized by a blend of respect for culinary tradition and an eye toward digital trends. Under his guidance, these brands have expanded their reach while maintaining a reputation for reliability and culinary curiosity.
Serious Eats and The Spruce Eats: Foundations in Food
Both Serious Eats and The Spruce Eats rank among the web’s top food destinations, each with distinct philosophies and unique communities.
- Serious Eats: Founded in 2006, Serious Eats built its name on obsessive attention to culinary detail, scientific rigor, and an open-door approach to recipes, techniques, and food culture. Its audience consists of passionate food lovers, home cooks, professional chefs, and curious eaters.
- The Spruce Eats: Designed for approachable recipes and practical kitchen solutions, The Spruce Eats aims to support families and everyday cooks. It distills culinary expertise into easy-to-follow guides, making home cooking accessible to millions.
Together, these brands reach over 16 million users monthly, spanning the casual cook to the committed hobbyist .
Dotdash’s Vision and the Acquisition
In September 2020, Dotdash—a leading digital publisher—acquired Serious Eats and Simply Recipes from Fexy Media . This move marked another chapter in Dotdash’s expansion, consolidating its position as one of the largest food & drink publishers online.
- Acquisition Date: September 21, 2020
- Key Players: Dotdash, Fexy Media, Eric Handelsman
- Portfolio Brands: Serious Eats, Simply Recipes, The Spruce Eats, Liquor.com
Handelsman played a crucial role as General Manager of The Spruce Eats, orchestrating the transition and ensuring that brand integrity, editorial values, and technological innovation were at the forefront of the acquisition process .
Technology Meets Food: The Relish Integration
One of the strategic highlights of Dotdash’s acquisition was the continued use and deployment of Fexy’s Relish technology. This platform bridges the gap between digital discovery and everyday cooking, allowing users to save recipes, shop ingredients, and streamline meal planning .
- Direct Recipe-to-Grocery Integration: Users can save and shop recipes using Relish.
- Same-day Delivery Partnerships: Integrated with major grocery chains including Walmart, Kroger, Shipt, and Instacart.
- Daily Meal Solutions: Relish manages users’ shopping lists, meal plans, and purchasing needs.
- Reach: Over 100 million users per month through a network of 30+ food sites and apps.
This technology supports Dotdash’s vision for all its food properties, enhancing user experience and simplifying the perennial challenge of “what’s for dinner tonight?”
Editorial Excellence and Content Strategy
Handelsman’s stewardship is defined by rigorous editorial standards. Both Serious Eats and The Spruce Eats are renowned for thoroughly tested recipes, detailed cooking guides, and reliable food science writing.
What others are reading
| Aspect | Serious Eats | The Spruce Eats |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Voice | Expert-driven, experimental, science-focused | Approachable, family-friendly, practical |
| Audience | Foodies, chefs, curious home cooks | Families, everyday cooks, kitchen beginners |
| Recipe Testing | Extensive, with step-by-step guidance | Carefully curated for accessibility |
| Popular Content | Burger experiments, guides to fermentation, food science explainers | Simple weeknight meals, desserts, how-to cooking basics |
As Handelsman stated, “We’re excited and honored to steward Simply Recipes and Serious Eats through their next phase of growth” . This philosophy underscores every aspect of the content strategy: building trust with readers while expanding digital capabilities.
Audience Growth and Community Building
The community behind Serious Eats and The Spruce Eats is both broad and deeply engaged. Handelsman’s approach prioritizes connecting with users across expertise levels and backgrounds.
- Broad Appeal: From beginners looking for step-by-step cooking tutorials to experienced cooks seeking advanced methods.
- Community Engagement: User reviews, forums, recipe sharing, and feedback mechanisms foster a collaborative atmosphere.
- Multi-platform Reach: Intensive use of social media, SEO, newsletters, and dynamic web content.
As Dotdash’s portfolio continues to expand, Handelsman places special emphasis on inclusivity, accessibility, and responding to the diverse tastes and needs of the modern cook.
Dotdash: Digital Publishing Powerhouse
Beyond his direct leadership, Handelsman is part of a wider movement at Dotdash that has earned industry-wide recognition and spurred rapid growth .
- Reach: Over 100 million users monthly find answers, inspiration, and solutions via Dotdash’s brands.
- Awards: Dotdash has received 50+ honors in a single year, including Publisher of the Year.
- Portfolio Diversity: Brands outside food include Verywell (health), Investopedia (finance), Byrdie (beauty), and more .
This breadth ensures Handelsman’s group benefits from shared resources, advanced data analytics, and cross-category expertise.
Challenges and Innovations in Online Food Media
Handelsman’s vision is grounded in tackling the challenges facing food media today:
- Recipe Saturation: The internet is flooded with recipes; quality and reliability are paramount.
- Changing User Habits: Smartphone integration, voice search, and social media demand new forms of content delivery.
- Personalization: Using data-driven algorithms and AI to recommend recipes and guides tailored to individual tastes.
- Ethical Considerations: Transparency in sourcing, accurate nutritional information, and inclusivity in recipe development.
Handelsman’s approach is to balance tradition and innovation—honoring culinary history while embracing the tools and technologies of tomorrow.
Building the Food & Drink Powerhouse: The Synergy of Brands
The integration of Serious Eats, The Spruce Eats, Simply Recipes, and Liquor.com under Dotdash creates unique opportunities for cross-brand synergy:
- Culinary Cross-Pollination: Sharing recipes, techniques, and editorial resources enhances user experience.
- Technology Integration: Relish technology is being deployed across the network for seamless grocery shopping and meal planning.
- Strategic Growth: The combined expertise of editorial teams accelerates experimentation and market responsiveness.
This collaborative approach ensures each brand maintains its distinct identity while benefiting from the larger group’s resources.
The Road Ahead: Future Vision and Objectives
Looking forward, Handelsman’s priorities for Serious Eats and The Spruce Eats include:
- Enhanced User Experience: Streamlining site navigation, improving mobile compatibility, and launching new cooking tools.
- Global Expansion: Adapting content to international audiences while preserving editorial integrity.
- Editorial Diversification: Including more voices—from different cultures and backgrounds—in food storytelling.
- Sustainability: Educating users about sourcing, reducing food waste, and eco-friendly kitchen practices.
Through these initiatives, Handelsman seeks to build a legacy not just of great recipes, but of meaningful connections and responsible innovation in online food media.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Eric Handelsman’s role at Dotdash?
A: Eric Handelsman is the Senior Vice President of Dotdash’s Food + Drink group, overseeing brands like Serious Eats and The Spruce Eats.
Q: What was the significance of Dotdash acquiring Serious Eats?
A: The acquisition consolidated Dotdash’s position as a leading food publisher and brought innovative content and technology to a broader audience.
Q: How does Relish technology improve user experience?
A: Relish allows users to save recipes, shop for ingredients, and plan meals seamlessly, integrating grocery delivery and pickup options.
Q: What makes Serious Eats different from other recipe sites?
A: Serious Eats distinguishes itself with tested recipes, food science-driven articles, and a community of passionate cooks and eaters.
Q: How does Dotdash ensure content quality?
A: Through rigorous editorial standards, extensive recipe testing, and leveraging expert contributors and technology.
Conclusion
Eric Handelsman’s stewardship of Serious Eats and The Spruce Eats represents a new era for digital food media—one rooted in tradition, driven by innovation, and committed to connecting people through the universal language of food. As Dotdash continues to grow, the future promises even deeper engagement, smarter technology, and richer culinary experiences for everyone.
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