School
University of California, Irvine, The Arts Institute Culinary Arts School, San Diego
Expertise
Bold Red Wines, Home-Cooked Mexican Food, Food History
- In 1998, Erica got her first taste of Europe on a three-week exploration of five countries, igniting a passion for travel and food.
- She launched the blog for Southern California's Ponte Winery which highlighted food and wine pairings.
- Her first professional writing job came in 2008 when she was hired as the copywriter for the GNC website division.
Experience
When Erica was pursuing her bachelor's degree in film studies, she had no idea it would lead to a passion for writing. The hours spent analyzing films and writing essays revealed a knack for research and expression through written words, with her favorite topic being food. She has now been writing for various companies for 12 years in the form of website copy, newsletters, press releases, blogs, and emails. Some of the companies she has worked for include Ponte Family Estate Winery, General Nutrition Corporation, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, and Brickhouse Security in New York.
Education
Erica has a bachelor's degree in Film Studies from the University of California at Irvine. She studied abroad in Siena, Italy in college where she studied Film and Tuscan cuisine. She also spent a semester studying Culinary Arts in San Diego, CA.
Mashed’s industry-leading coverage is created by qualified and experienced writers, and is reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure everything is accurate and timely. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.
Our mission is to inform and engage our readers, telling them things they need to know, things they want to know, and things they didn't know they wanted to know about food. We strive to always provide a well-rounded reading experience, whether that’s the news of the day or a new original recipe you can try making at home. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our editorial team constantly reviews and updates articles as necessary. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
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Farmers once commonly used this kitchen tool for their butter. However, nowadays, it's antiquated and sought out by collectors at places like Goodwill.
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Restaurants
By Erica Martinez
"Pub" and "tavern" may seem like interchangeable terms these days, but the nature of these establishments, historically, were subtly different.
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Rhode Island may be tiny, but it has a big culinary identity that predominantly revolves around seafood. This classic yet niche dish is unique to the state.
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Wow your dinner guests with this cut. Hint: It occupies less than 1% of the cow and comes at a high price tag, but we think it's well worth it.
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Interviews
By Erica Martinez
In anticipation of Alison Brie's collaboration with HelloFresh, she chats with us about her favorite foods. This item from an LA restaurant is one of them.
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Four astronauts are scheduled to launch into space in April 2026 for a 10-day moon mission, and the food they'll eat onboard sounds surprisingly tasty.
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Cooking
By Erica Martinez
Master the art of the perfect breakfast with Alex Guarnaschelli’s pancake method. The science-backed trick is the key to pillowy pancakes every time.
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If you collect liquor or closely study "John Wick" movies in your spare time, there's a chance you've heard of Blanton's bourbon and its famed bottle stoppers.
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We examine how Nancy Silverton once created a dessert that made the iconic Julia Child emotional. Silverton's creation was a true culinary gem.
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If you enjoy cooking Italian-inspired dishes, these chile flakes from Southern Italy are a fantastic ingredient to have on hand, thanks to their punchy flavor.
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Ever wonder who makes the most of this delicious bread-dipping liquid? Hint: It's a Mediterranean country that's known for its mild weather.
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Looking to make your snack a little bougie? Martha knows just what to top your chips with for the perfect combination of salty, sweet, and crunchy.
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This crooner's go-to sweet treat had Americans showing their appreciation for him in an unusual way. Learn what happened at The Beatles concerts.
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Looking for a way to easily upgrade your steak dinner? Forget butter! See which delicious fruity sauce you should dribble over your steak instead.
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Jack Nicholson has traveled to many places throughout his illustrious career. He encountered a bakery in New York with bread that he now has sent to LA.
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Albert Einstein was like a lot of us; he indulged in his favorite foods. In fact, if there was one thing he couldn't get enough of, it was this particular food.
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Alec Guinness may have become a legend of the silver screen, but as a young, up-and-coming actor, he ate the same struggle meal almost every day.
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Some foods born out of 19th-century cowboy culture are still eaten today, while others became obsolete. This forgotten dish really put the "heart" in hearty.
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Beer is a common ingredient in many meat marinades, but here's why non-alcoholic ginger beer is a great pick for your next batch of pork chops.
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When Princess Diana craved something sweet, she would ask her chef to whip up a pan of this British dessert, which boasts a long and storied history.
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Restaurants
By Erica Martinez
President George H.W. Bush famously despised broccoli. However, he also showed love to certain foods, such as the duck at this eatery in Falls Church, Virginia.
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The Vice President isn't known for his cooking skills. We explore the worst meal JD Vance ever made for his wife, Usha, and it's a strange one.
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See which food this celebrity chef says is top of mind for him in all of America. We'll even give you a hint on which state it's found in: Texas.
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Bringing bushmeat into America is illegal due to potential food safety and ethical issues. We dive into the reasoning behind the ban on meat from wild animals.
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President Hoover was not popular during the Great Depression. This one dish was served in soup kitchens to prevent people from going hungry.
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Cookbooks
By Erica Martinez
As vintage cookbooks have shown us, there were many mind-boggling hors d'oeuvres recipes throughout the mid-20th century. One stands out as especially strange.
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Monkey bread can feel like dessert masquerading as breakfast. However, you can give the dish a delicious dose of salt and protein by incorporating this food.
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