Jacob Smith
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland
School
The University Of Exeter, Universitat Internacional De Catalunya
Expertise
Coffee Production And Brewing, Home Cooking Advice, European Food Culture
- Jacob is the author of Marra, a weekly food-related newsletter that spotlights Northern people, produce, and regions.
- While working with food influencer Lakes Eats, he reviewed several of the Lake District's most prominent restaurants, including Simon Rogan's Henrock and was fortunate enough to have dined at the three Michelin-starred L'Enclume.
- An article by Jacob won a silver award at the North American Guild of Beer Writers' 2023 awards.
Experience
Jacob began writing about food while living in Bristol, where he wrote for EATE Collective, a global collective of chefs, suppliers, and restaurants. Since moving to Scotland, Jacob has worked with a variety of media outlets and businesses, including Delicious, Pellicle, Mashed, Today Meal, Leafe, and H&N Magazine. He is also a committee member for The Guild of Food Writers, the UK's association for professional food writers and broadcasters.
Education
Jacob has both a B.Sc. and an M.A. from the University of Exeter, a Russell Group university known for its academic excellence. He also holds a teaching certificate from Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
Today 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 Jacob Smith
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Olives have a distinct flavor that is useful in many dishes. The fruit can be turned into tapenade, added to pasta sauces, or used as a pizza topping.
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Irish whiskey has been enjoying something of a renaissance, and a tremendous variety is available these days. Here are a few to try, ranked worst to first.
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Beyond Meat launched with a major splash, but it's fame has fizzled out over the years, partly due to several flops with major fast food brands.
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Across the United States, prison food has gained a seriously poor reputation. Here’s what it’s really like to eat a prisons around the nation.
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The Great Depression led to major changes in American food structure and dietary habits. These dishes made their mark during those lean years and still thrive.
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With so many burger joints out there, eating a subpar burger is a bitter disappointment. If you spot a few of these red flags when you walk in, be wary.
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In the U.S., pairing your sauce with the right pasta shape is a lost art. Ditch the spaghetti and try adding one of these unique pasta types to your next dish.
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From a teen taking over the chain, to becoming one of the fastest-growing sub shops, Jersey Mike's Subs has an interesting history. Here's what you should know.
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Mussels make for a delicious meal. However, there are several mistakes that can ruin your mussels when cooking. Luckily, these mistakes can be easily avoided.
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Lidia Bastianich has a wealth of knowledge when it comes cooking. From practical guidance to clever techniques, here are some of her best cooking tips.
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Potato salad is a classic side dish, but there also several pitfalls one can make when creating potato salad. Here are the biggest mistakes you may be making.
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Are you planning on making the British classic fish and chips at home? Here are some big mistakes you'll definitely want to avoid.
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Losing Michelin stars can be devastating. While Michelin never reveals the exact reasons why a restaurant gets demoted, it's often easy to figure it out.
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Gordon Ramsay had a blunt approach to helping chefs get their failing restaurants back up to par on Kitchen Nightmares. Here are some of the best episodes.
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What has taken Kewpie mayonnaise to such dizzying heights? Read on to discover everything you need to know about one of the world's most adored condiments.
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Take your soup to the next level. Use these quick tips from celebrity chefs to give your favorite soup that extra something to make it perfect.
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As coffee gains a reputation for having just as complex a flavor profile as wine, coffee lovers will want to learn how various processing methods affect taste.
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Your broiler just might be the most underrated piece of cooking equipment in your kitchen. Here are 11 helpful tips to broil a variety of foods like a pro.
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From Seoul to San Juan, these locales will satisfy any food & beverage tourist, whether your drink of choice is wine, mezcal, whisky, or sake.
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Several people use a French press to brew their coffee. Some varieties and brands of coffee are particularly well-suited to the French press method.
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From ketchup to honey, many people have numerous condiments in their kitchen for every flavor profile. Luckily, they don't all need to be stored in the fridge.
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We have put together a list of 12 underrated but still delicious fish for you to enjoy -- from red mullet to porgy -- in the place of more popular species.
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French fries are served at many extremely popular -- and even astronomically expensive -- restaurants and most are cooked straight from frozen.
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For seafood devotees, fresh salmon can be a delectable treat. However, these top brands of canned salmon feature similar iconic flavors and health benefits.
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The key to a tasty margarita is starting with good tequila. Luckily, we've rounded up a list that includes tequilas of different ages, strengths, and prices.
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Through hard work and long history, humans have raised cheese making from subsistence to an incredible art form. This is the ancient history of cheese.
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Magnum wine offers a bulk amount to its purchaser -- but often for a hefty price tag. These affordable magnum wines won't break the bank.