Dillon Fernando - Tasting Table

Location

Brooklyn, New York

School

Duke University

Expertise

Food History, Celebrity Chefs, Food Science

Raised with an unhealthy Food Network obsession, Dillon's great food influences are Alton Brown, Anthony Bourdain, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Ina Garten.
He once helped produce a cooking segment with Samantha Bee and James Beard award-winning chef Vivian Howard.
For a taste of home, Dillon enjoys prying family recipes for Sri Lankan classics from his mother to replicate in his tiny Brooklyn kitchen.

Experience

Dillon is a writer and food researcher. He spent five years in late-night television, where he researched news stories, including those about food insecurity and food waste. He conducts research for the popular YouTube channel Tasting History with Max Miller. As a freelance writer, his work can be found in Flash Fiction Magazine, Hobart, The New York Times, and more. As an avid home cook, Dillon loves reading cookbooks and experimenting with new flavors and techniques in the kitchen.

Education

Dillon has a bachelor's degree in biology from Duke University.

Tasting Table Editorial Policies

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.

Stories By Dillon Fernando

Cook

Cook By Dillon Fernando

Michael Voltaggio's White Pizza Lets You Have Avocado Toast For Dinner

However you like your avocado toast, Michael Voltaggio's pizza offers the perfect way to encapsulate its breakfast flavors during dinner time.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
Culture

Culture By Dillon Fernando

How Bobby Flay Actually Feels About Smash Burgers

Not everyone is 100% sold on smash burgers. And, when it comes to chef Bobby Flay, he still prefers his burger patties to be on the thicker side.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Pre-Grilling Step To Achieve Perfect, Succulent Lobster Every Time

Although grilling lobster can be difficult, chef Geoffrey Zakarian advocates for poaching your lobster before you grill to ensure a perfect lobster every time.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Caramelized Onion Swap For Quicker Patty Melt Sandwiches

Caramelized onions add a sweet, jammy layer to the patty melt, but they are often time-consuming to make. Luckily, there is a tasty onion swap.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Simple Way Ina Garten Adds A Bit Of Crunch To Pot Pies

Ina Garten is no stranger to pot pies, boasting a hearty chicken pot pie in her repertoire. But for an added crunch, Garten has a simple last-minute addition.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Key Difference Between Raspberry Sauce And Coulis

Dive into the world of raspberry delights! Discover the art of crafting silky coulis and textured sauces from succulent berries - a sweet journey awaits!
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Spicy Way Padma Lakshmi Elevates Crab Cakes

With something as delicate as crab, Padma Lakshmi balances the sweetness with a spicy ingredient to take her version of the dish back to her Indian heritage.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Unsung Hero Of Your Next Broccoli Dish Is... Cheetos?

There's a surprising accompaniment to broccoli that may sound like it was added during a night of drinking, but it might be the unsung hero of your dish.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

Butter Is The Secret To Julia Child's Crispy Roast Chicken

Culinary legend Julia Child had a secret for the best roast chicken - butter. Read on to learn the tricks and techniques for the perfect bird.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Ground Meat Blend For Mouth Watering Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

Want to ensure that your sloppy joe has the perfect balance of flavor to fat, giving you a juicy sandwich each time? You need this particular blend of beef.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
Cook

Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Tip To Remember When Salting Water For Pasta Salad

A great pasta salad can be a moreish dish of dreams, but a bad one will be a tasteless bowl of stodge. Follow this tip to make sure yours is packed with flavor.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
Drink

Drink By Dillon Fernando

How Alex Guarnaschelli Adds A Boozy, Zesty Kick To Iced Tea

Nothing beats a glass of cold iced tea on a hot summer's day, but just wait until you see how Alex Guarnaschelli amps the classic drink up with a few twists.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

Gordon Ramsay's Tip To Save White Sauce From Overcooking

To save a white sauce from curdling, French-trained chef Gordon Ramsay shared a tip that involves moving the pot on and off the heat.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
Drink

Drink By Dillon Fernando

The Starbucks-Approved Brewing Method For Iced Coffee Lemonade

One refreshing caffeinated, citrusy pick-me-up that has made waves in recent years is the iced coffee lemonade, which is coffee mixed with lemonade and ice.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
Cook

Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Best Way To Add Eggs To Your Breakfast Hash Is Also The Simplest

A breakfast hash is an easy way to turn leftovers into a delicious meal. Discover how to amplify the flavor and nutrition with very little extra effort.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Clear Differences Between Rice Wine And Rice Wine Vinegar

Your recipe calls for rice wine, and you're all out. Can you substitute rice wine vinegar? Here's why that's a bad idea - and what you could use instead.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Specific Method Giada De Laurentiis Uses To Add Cheese To Pasta

For Giada De Laurentiis, there's a specific method to add cheese to pasta that her nonno taught her, which enhances its savory umami flavor.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

Why Timing Matters When Boiling Pasta

To avoid a clumpy mess or oily noodles that won't grip sauce, timing is crucial for your pasta's success.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Sauce Dipping Technique For Crispy Enchiladas

While some like their enchiladas soft, this can lead to a soggy dish. Here's how you can ensure a crispy exterior by using this sauce dipping technique.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Spanish Cooking Dishes Bobby Flay Can't Go Without

What will you find in Bobby Flay's cabinets? One particular cooking dish is something he can't give up and goes back to for cooking several ingredients.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Ideal Salt Ratio To Fix Bland Meatloaf Mistakes

A bland block of meatloaf is a sure way to mess up a weeknight's dinner. Here's the ideal salt ratio that can save your meal each and every time.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Spicy Puree Bobby Flay Adds To Amplify Creamy Potato Salad

Looking for a way to spice up your potato salad? Try the puree Bobby Flay includes in his recipe for a Southwestern twist that will be a hit at your picnic.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

You Roast Potatoes For Crispy Perfection, So Why Not Gnocchi?

Roasted potatoes crisp up on the outside and eat pillowy on the inside. But if we can achieve this savory crunch with roasting potatoes, why not with gnocchi?
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

The Best Mayonnaise Ratio To Prevent Dry Tuna Salad

Though a simple dish, it's not difficult to miss the mark on a balanced tuna salad. See what the ideal mayo-to-tuna ratio is for your next brunch.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
Culture

Culture By Dillon Fernando

The Medieval History Behind A Baker's Dozen

From medieval grifts to changing legal standards, uncover the fascinating origin of the baker's dozen and why it strayed from the usual amount.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
Cook

Cook By Dillon Fernando

How Chicken Gets Perfectly Reheated At Daniel Boulud's Restaurants

In order to ensure that each chicken is perfectly roasted to order at his restaurants, Chef David Boulud actually reheats chicken with a flash cooking method.
By Dillon Fernando Read More
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Cook By Dillon Fernando

Joe Biden's Favorite Pasta Is A Fine Classic

The current president's favorite pasta is one that is a fine classic on any dinner table. Here's what Joe Biden prefers above any other Italian dish.
By Dillon Fernando Read More

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