Helena Nichols
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Expertise
Vegetarian Cooking, Baking, Spirits & Cocktails
- Helena wrote her thesis on veganism in punk rock culture.
- During 2020, Helena made over 300 different cocktails.
- Her whiskey chocolate caramel cake recipe won first place in a baking competition.
Experience
Helena has been a professional foodie for close to a decade. Following a lifelong love of desserts, she worked as a baker, where she honed her skills in making all things sweet. While completing her master's, she began writing about food and has never looked back. She has been published in multiple food and news outlets, including TABLE Magazine, Mashed, Tasting Table, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Helena continues to pursue her passions by trying new foods and interesting cocktails whenever she can.
Education
Helena holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Chatham University; and a master's degree in Food Studies from Chatham University. Her program at Chatham provided her with a variety of hands-on food experiences, including making chocolate and brewing beer, as well as a deep knowledge of food history and culture.
The Daily Meal’s content comes from an authoritative editorial staff that is dedicated to current and comprehensive coverage. With an aim to provide only informative and engaging content, our writers, editors, and experts take care to craft clear and concise copy on all things food-related, from news in the food service industry to in-depth explainers about what’s found in readers’ refrigerators, original recipes from experienced chefs, and more.
Our team also regularly reviews and updates articles as necessary to ensure they are accurate. For more information on our editorial process, view our full policies page.
Stories By Helena Nichols
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Hot sauce is a delicious condiment. In order to make hot sauce at home, it is essential to understand the science of hot sauce as well as the different types.
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Hot sauce adds that spicy kick to your favorite meals. From medium to insanely spicy, here are some of the best hot sauces brands you can buy, ranked.
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Whiskey is the top-selling hard liquor in the U.S., and the flavors go beyond just Scotch and Bourbon. Things like snake and fish whiskey are also around.
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Ice cream is a universally beloved dessert, complete with dozens of unique flavors. Dairy-free varieties are on the rise, and these are the best brands around.
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A bundt cake pan can be used for more than just making delectable desserts. In fact, the possibilities are endless, and these 14 tips are just the start.
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Cinnamon rolls are delicious on their own, but if you want to bring them to the next level, we've got some tips for you.
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The Old West is often associated with cowboys. There's a lot of food that stems from the Old West, such as chili, vinegar pie, and cowboy beans, among others.
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Ice cream is perfect for any time and occasion, and everyone has their favorite flavor. Sadly some have been retired. Here's the ones we want brought back.
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With inflated food prices affecting grocery stores everywhere, shoppers need to know these tips that will help them save money and avoid marketing schemes.
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There are many components to hosting a dinner party, from the food to the cleanup. Some tricks can help ensure that every aspect of the party goes smoothly.
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Cake is an extremely delicious dessert, but oftentimes you're left with leftovers. Don't throw them away, instead repurpose it into these delicious uses.
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If you find you are having trouble achieving your perfect loaf, we are here to help. Here is a list of reasons your dough is not rising and how to fix it.
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Soda has a long history, and some of the oldest soda brands date back well over a century, including famous favorites and relatively unknown classics.
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No matter where you are, there's a Guy Fieri-approved restaurant out there for you. Here are some of the best Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives restaurants near you.
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There's no sense in wasting those perfectly good egg yolks from your egg white omelet. Read on to learn the many creative ways you can make use of egg yolks.
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Don't just throw your overripe bananas away; try making a sweet treat, like Bananas Foster, or use them as a substitute for eggs in baked goods!
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Just because cornbread is easy to make doesn't mean it has to be boring. With some simple upgrades, you can take your cornbread from ordinary to extraordinary.
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Cocktail shakers serve an integral purpose in a home bar, but that doesn't mean they can't also be stylish. These 10 options make for excellent home pieces.
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Aldi has become a fan favorite due to its delicious products and low prices. These 13 foods are things that shoppers simply couldn't get enough of.
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Tea has a long, fascinating, and sometimes controversial history, from its origins in China to its evolution as the world's most popular beverage.
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Kirkland Signature's line of wine, beer, and liquor offers customers quality at a great price. Here, explore who really makes Costco's great alcohol selection.
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Heavy cream adds a rich and creamy element to dishes of all types. But what happens when you don't have any? Here are some great substitutes to use in a pinch.
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Whether you're looking to make the perfect apple pie, a simple apple crisp, or a comforting baked apple, we've compiled a list of the best apples for baking.
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From gingerbread to latkes, there are certain dishes we expect to see on the table during the holidays. But do you the histories of these iconic holiday foods?
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From European-style to ghee, there are many variations of butter lining the grocery isles. Here are the best tips for how to choose butter when baking.
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Baking with chocolate doesn't have to end in disaster. By avoiding some common mistakes, you'll be savoring decadent desserts in no time.
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Baking sheets are one of the most commonly used kitchen items. We will walk you through some of the common mistakes people make when using baking sheets.