Marlene Ridgway
Location
Leland, North Carolina, United States
School
Davis & Elkins College
Expertise
Getting Creative With Leftovers, Healthy Eating, Meals With Simple Ingredients
- For a story entitled, "Private Chefs" for Keller Williams Luxury International magazine, Marlene interviewed and worked closely with six award-winning private chefs from around the world to explore their trade secrets.
- After personally experimenting with recipes that are gluten and dairy-free but still delicious, Marlene has perfected copycat recipes for Tagalongs and Twix Bars, and makes her own oat milk at home.
- Marlene is dedicated to using fresh seasonings in her cooking and has curated a hearty herb garden that grows back every year on her back patio. The garden includes fresh basil, mint, rosemary, cilantro, scallions, lemon balm, and thyme.
Experience
Marlene began her journey as a writer at a young age, always writing stories and entering contests. After graduating college, Marlene began writing for several websites and magazines, including The High End magazine and HomeSteading.com, where food was often a topic of her writing. Always reading, and with a love for food, cooking tips, and meal prep, Marlene has personal experience and a passion for trying out new recipes and experimenting with exciting foods and cooking techniques. Marlene has published a novel, been published in Appalachia: Stay or Go — Volume 20, and writes her own blog, "Written By Marlene."
Education
Marlene focused on pursuing her goal of becoming a writer during her time at Davis & Elkins College, where she became the chief operating officer of the student newspaper, and tutored other students.
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 Marlene Ridgway
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Not only is this tasty snack healthier than its competitors, but it's also extremely versatile and can be used in many applications.
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From pickle salsa to oat milk lattes with collagen, these products often fly under the radar at Aldi but are ones you definitely need to grab next time.
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Try using your handy air fryer to make fried oysters at home at be prepared to never look back. And be sure to use these tips so they come out perfectly.
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We offer up some of our favorite techniques when using frozen vegetables so you don't end up with a soggy mess that's lacking in texture and taste.
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If you the type of person who avoids asparagus thanks to memories of a soggy mush, you've been cooking it wrong. Just a grill and foil is all you need.
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There are various considerations to make when choosing fuel for your grill. Is wood or charcoal better? Who better to ask than a grilling expert.
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Chain restaurants aren't necessarily known for quality. But these 9 chains distinguish themselves by serving the highest-quality seafood possible.
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Costco's frozen aisle is, not surprisingly, full of options, including a few hidden gems absolutely worth stocking up on during your next grocery run.
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What better way to celebrate Women's History Month than to support women-owned businesses? Here are some stand-out food brands founded and run by women.
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Elevating a store-bought cake mix can be as simple as swapping water for chocolate milk, or adding spoonfuls of jam for bright bursts of fruit.
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Minute steak is often overlooked in the kitchen. But we're here to tell you that this steak is affordable, easy-to-prepare, and can impress your taste buds.
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From well-known brands to lesser-known companies, we've selected the seven best options for dinner delivery based on verified customer reviews and feedback.
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Brands have shown dedication by researching genuinely delectable treats that will satiate your cravings and excite your taste buds without containing gluten.
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If you're outside of the U.S., don't be surprised if you can't find all your favorite beverages for sale. Here are seven banned drinks in other countries.
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Comforting, satisfying, and oh so fragrant, homemade bread is always worth the effort - and a slow cooker is surprisingly useful for home baking.
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It's all too easy to overcook or undercook bacon. So, here are 10 tried and true methods that will result in perfectly cooked bacon every time.
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One easy way to get people talking at your dinner party is with fantastic charcuterie board display, So, here are our top 2023 charcuterie board picks.
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Shredding chicken can feel like a daunting, insurmountable, time-consuming task. But, these eight tips will help you shred your chicken with ease and speed.
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Chiffon cakes are the cloud-like baking staple with a unique origin story. Here's the ultimate guide to a great chiffon cake and multiple ways to up your game.
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When making potato salad, the magic is in the ingredients. These additions to your recipe will yield a dish that's better than anything you'll find in a store.
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There's nothing like fresh fruit, but how do you get that fresh taste in the off seasons? Freeze it! This is best fruit to freeze to enjoy all year round.
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The rising awareness about gluten and its side effects has created a demand for tasty alternatives and gluten-free cake mixes that satisfy cravings.
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Costco is your one-stop shop for everything in bulk, but did you know this included alcohol? Check out the 12 best beers you should pick up on your next trip.
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Portland is the perfect destination for a bar crawl with some of the best beer in the nation. Check out our list of the 15 best breweries you should visit.
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Do you wish that there was delicious Italian seafood readily available near you? There might be; check out our ranking of every seafood dish at Olive Garden.
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Frozen fish sticks might not sound gourmet initially, but what if you could change that? Check out these 9 ways to elevate them for your next go-to meal.
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Nearly every grocery store has some type of meat department. But what makes a meat department worth returning to? Here are the ones we're most impressed with.