Expertise
Food Culture, Vegetarian & Vegan Diets, Global Gastronomy
- Ashlen worked on farms in Hawaii and Costa Rica to learn how food and agriculture systems work.
- She lived in Mexico City for a year, tried huitlacoche, learned to dance salsa, and drank mezcal.
- Ashlen published her first book, "Vegan in a Van: Healthy, Plant-Based Recipes on the Road," in 2020 and is close to finishing her second, "Eat for the Earth: A Beginner's Guide to Eating Sustainably."
Experience
Ashlen has worked as a writer and editor for six years, beginning her career as a food technology journalist for The Spoon. Since then, she has continued to write about the future of food, restaurants, and agriculture. She loves learning about food culture through travel and how certain foods have played important roles throughout history. Her favorite foods from abroad include fresh pasta in Italy, matcha donuts in Tokyo, and tlacoyos in Mexico. Ashlen runs a newsletter called "Wildhaus" on Substack, where she shares about writing and living abroad.
Education
Ashlen holds an interdisciplinary bachelor's degree in writing and sustainable agribusiness from CU Denver in Colorado. She also holds an integrative nutrition certificate from UCSD and a 200-hour yoga teacher certification.
Chowhound’s top-notch editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and recipe developers with varying expertise in the food and drink industries. Every article is reviewed by our editorial team to ensure all information is up-to-date and accurate. Outside experts are also regularly consulted to help deliver the best information available.
Our mission is to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give our readers exactly the information they’re looking for – plus more. 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.
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Johnny Cash may have been one of the most popular country singer-songwriters of his era, but one of his favorite desserts was much less well-known.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Beer And Wine
By Ashlen Wilder
Inspired by a popular Mexican drink, Modelo is bringing vibrant flavors to a line of fruity beers that balance sweetness and sourness in one convenient can.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Restaurants
By Ashlen Wilder
If you've never had a potato donut, you're seriously missing out. These unexpected treats might be hard to find, but they're well worth the search.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Gardening
By Ashlen Wilder
You could throw the cherry pits you get from store-bought cherries away. You could also use them to grow your very own cherry tree. Here's how.
By Ashlen Wilder
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If you're traveling and staying at a hotel, you might want to consider this seriously underrated hotel meal option that will help you save money.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Don't throw away those pits after eating your cherries. They are packed with flavor that can spice up your home bar with one easy trick.
By Ashlen Wilder
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This nutty, caramel-forward candy provides a contrast to the salty, savory flavors of a charcuterie board. Pair it with these expert-recommended cheeses.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Food History
By Ashlen Wilder
Chicago hot dogs are famous for having all-beef franks and a wider array of toppings, all encased within a poppyseed bun. Here's why those buns aren't plain.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Fast Food
By Ashlen Wilder
You may not have heard of Habit Burger & Grill, it's only in 14 states. But the people who love it get pretty upset when they learn of its parent company.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Chef David Chang has traveled the world, sampling foods most of us can only dream of. One of his favorite places to eat is this city that spans two continents.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Restaurants
By Ashlen Wilder
When looking for the best place to dine in Europe, travel expert Rick Steves has a surprising guiding rule regarding tourist menus.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond is known for making her skillful country-style cooking look easy, but there's one recipe even she struggles to get right.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Shopping Tips
By Ashlen Wilder
Chili oil is all the rage these days, but have you ever thought of making your own? Here's what you need to know about buying chili flakes for chili oil.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Kitchen Tools
By Ashlen Wilder
Chef Bobby Flay's must-have kitchen appliance is a little unusual for a celebrity chef, but it's perfect for making dishes like crostini or bruschetta.
By Ashlen Wilder
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To learn about food plating mistakes that many amateur chefs make, Chowhound spoke with a recipe developer and the senior culinary manager at HelloFresh.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Food History
By Ashlen Wilder
There have been plenty of presidential scandals, but the controversial New York Times recipe dubbed "Guac Gate" isn't one you'll find in history books.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Fast Food
By Ashlen Wilder
Plenty of rappers reference fast food in their songs, but Ice Cube drops his favorite late-night burger chain by name in his 1992 hit, "It Was a Good Day."
By Ashlen Wilder
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Shirley Temples are a classic beverage choice if you want a drink without alcohol. But did you know that you can buy a Shirley Temple in a bottle?
By Ashlen Wilder
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Beer And Wine
By Ashlen Wilder
There are plenty of rules and regulations focused on beer drinking, but there's a common beer foam rumor that you can ignore in the future.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Fast Food
By Ashlen Wilder
Though Colonel Sanders has long been the beloved face of KFC, he's had a few cosmetic changes over the past 70 years. Here's how he's looked throughout history.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Food History
By Ashlen Wilder
LA's beloved Lou The French On The Block is owned by a former basketball pro who played in the French NM3 league before an injury changed his career trajectory.
By Ashlen Wilder
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The perfect mix of sweet and nutty with a crackly chocolate shell, these protein bites are as easy as they are delicious, made with staples you already have.
By Ashlen Wilder
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If you often end up with soggy zucchini instead of perfectly roasted zucchini, try sprinkling this staple ingredient over your veggies to reduce moisture.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Restaurants
By Ashlen Wilder
Reports say that Seattle is the most expensive city in the U.S. for food deliveries due to new regulations. This is what that means for diners in the city.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Design & Decor
By Ashlen Wilder
Don't have the space for a big dining table but want to be able to seat all your guests? This type of dining table can easily fit up to 12 people when needed.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Fast Food
By Ashlen Wilder
Jason Mraz isn't just a world-famous musician: He's also a regenerative farmer, a passionate supporter of local eats, and has a food connection Chipotle.
By Ashlen Wilder
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Trader Joe's
By Ashlen Wilder
Trader Joe's items are usually made by other brands then packaged under the store's private label. This company is responsible for the chain's snickerdoodles.
By Ashlen Wilder
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