Expertise
Vegetarian Cooking, Baking, Fine Dining
- Carmen always seeks out vintage cookbooks at thrift stores even though she doesn't need to add any more to her collection.
- She loves to travel and savor local cuisine such as huitlacoche in Mexico, port wine in Porto, and gelato in Italy.
- As a member of the Yelp Elite Squad in 2021, 2022, and 2023, Carmen enjoys trying new-to-her places, attending foodie events, and writing reviews about her experience.
Experience
Carmen is a food, drink, and travel writer based in San Diego. She has 10+ years of experience and has been published in Chickpea Magazine, Parade Magazine, San Diego Reader, Luxe Beat Magazine, LOCALE Magazine, and more.
Education
Carmen has a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in health promotion and disease prevention.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
We strive to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day; cooking tips, tricks, and trends; or reviews and recommendations. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our team is constantly reviewing and updating articles as necessary. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
-
We tried The Cheesecake Factory's new Peach Perfect with Raspberry Drizzle cheesecake ahead of its release. Here's what we thought and when you can get a slice.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Food History
By Carmen Varner
Nothing keeps '90s sleepovers alive in our memories like the taste of food and drinks such as Dunkaroos and Surge soda, among the 16 others on our list.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Dunkin's got a little bit of everything you need to fuel your mornings. We tried seven of the chain's breakfast sandwiches and ranked them, worst to best.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Oatmeal bars can make breakfast a breeze, but some brands are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients. These brands are the best (and tastiest) options.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Costco only sells a handful of cookies that come directly from its bakery, so we set out on a mission to try and rank all of these Kirkland Signature treats.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
You don't have to travel to France or Italy to get a decent piece of cheese. This list features luxurious-tasting cheeses you can grab from the store.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Cooking Tips
By Carmen Varner
Coleslaw is a classic side dish, but that doesn't mean yours has to be ordinary. Try adding one (or more) of these unexpected add-ins to your next batch.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
These Costco foods travel nicely, require little to no prep, and can fare well at the beach, allowing you and the fam to stay cool and full all summer long.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Shopping Tips
By Carmen Varner
Some of these store-bought vegan soups are heartier with chunks of veggies, while others are more puree-like. But all of them are delicious and filling.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Cooking Tips
By Carmen Varner
Turn everyday fruit into vibrant, sugary treats with crisp shells or chewy centers. These candied picks take desserts, drinks, and snacks to another level.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Design & Decor
By Carmen Varner
If you have a bare bar cart sitting around, there are many options on how to style it, but if you don't know where to start, use these ideas as inspiration.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Cooking Tips
By Carmen Varner
There are plenty of toppings to consider when making a batch of loaded tater tots. Here are 17 flavorful toppings to add to your loaded spuds dish.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
We compared California Pizza Kitchen and DiGiorno to see which brand makes better pizza. It included different flavors, but it seems it's all about the crust.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Grilling season is the best season of the year. If you're in the market for a new grill, here's the brand Redditors are fawning over currently.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Barebells has many flavor combinations, but not all bars were created equal. Read to find out which flavors delivered and which were slightly underwhelming.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Fast Food
By Carmen Varner
Even Chick-Fil-A can fumble at times, especially when it comes to their condiments. Here is one Chick-Fil-A sauce that just fails to hit the spot.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
We did a taste test of various pizza flavors California Pizza Kitchen sells at grocery stores to bring you this ultimate ranking that you can use as a guide.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Exclusives
By Carmen Varner
Sugar-free vanilla syrup is a tasty, low-calorie way to elevate your coffee. We tried nine different brands to see which one had the best flavor.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Cooking Tips
By Carmen Varner
Tartar sauce may be the go-to condiment for a fish sandwich, but that doesn't mean you can't mix it up! Try these other creative sauces and seasonings instead.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Exclusives
By Carmen Varner
With so many iced coffee drinks on its menu, you may be wondering which Dutch Bros offering to order. So we tried and ranked 11 Dutch Bros iced coffee drinks.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
If you're craving something sweet but also looking to hit your protein goals, good news; there are plenty of snack options that fit the bill.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
If you're a Costco shopper who has specific dietary needs or simply wants to incorporate less sugary treats in your life, try out these sugar-free snacks.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
If you're renovating your kitchen, it doesn't mean you can't eat well at home. These ideas are convenient and work well at preventing that hangry feeling.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
We tried some Costco snacks and pit them against the most similar name-brand items. With taste, texture, and price in mind, which ones are the clear winners?
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Searching for meaty snacks to pack in lunches, leave in your bag, or munch on while binge-watching your show shouldn't be too hard with a Costco membership.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
Pop-Tarts has broken into the freezer aisle, releasing ice cream sandwich versions of three of its classic flavors. We tried them, and there's what we think.
By Carmen Varner
Read More
-
You can get a lot out of your Costco membership even if you're just shopping for one. Here are some of the foods single households should pick up at Costco.
By Carmen Varner
Read More