School
University of Tulsa, Oklahoma State University - Tulsa
Expertise
Coffee, Food History, Baking
- During her time as a barista/coffee shop kitchen manager, Tara paid to send herself to a Specialty Coffee Association Expo, where she volunteered as a timekeeper for the U.S. Barista Championships.
- Tara has roasted coffee out of her home, selling fresh-roasted beans under the name "Share the Roast" to friends and family.
- Tara's love of food history and beverages comes from her grandmother, who gifted Tara her wonderful collection of books on English tea, tea parties, and the history of tea pots.
Experience
Upon graduating from college, Tara began working toward opening a coffeeshop. While that plan didn't pan out, Tara spent a few years honing her skills as a barista and coffee enthusiast, participating in latte art competitions, attending coffee tastings, and working as the kitchen manager for a local coffeeshop. Eventually, Tara pursued her master's in strategic communications, after which she secured a job with a local magazine as their digital and social media editor in 2017. She joined Static Media in 2024.
Education
Tara has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Tulsa and a master's degree in strategic communications from Oklahoma State University - Tulsa.
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Shopping Tips
By Tara Bowen
Scalloped potatoes can be a pain (sometimes literally) to make from scratch. Thankfully, this boxed version is delicious and available at most stores.
By Tara Bowen
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Shopping Tips
By Tara Bowen
You don't always want to spend hours making pot roast from scratch, especially when there's a stellar store-bought option that can just be heated and eaten.
By Tara Bowen
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Kitchen Tools
By Tara Bowen
Modern kitchen appliance manufacturers should take notes: This retro toaster stands the test of time in its durability and charming space-age aesthetic.
By Tara Bowen
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Food History
By Tara Bowen
Blue Bell ice cream is a fairly well-regarded brand for a vanilla, chocolate, or mint chocolate chip frozen treat. But this flavor was recalled in August 2025.
By Tara Bowen
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The tuna melt sandwich is already a delectable classic in its own right. To make it even better, here are five tips that take it from delish to divine.
By Tara Bowen
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Shopping Tips
By Tara Bowen
We tried a handful of store-bought queso brands, and this cheesy dip from a Texas restaurant chain's retail line proved to be the best one by far.
By Tara Bowen
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Chefs can be a discerning bunch, and when these pros get the craving for a quick and convenient breakfast sandwich, here's what they choose to eat.
By Tara Bowen
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Food History
By Tara Bowen
Some vintage appliances come and go, and then come back. Others, like this old-school drink-making item, aren't found much anymore in modern kitchens.
By Tara Bowen
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Miami, Florida
By Tara Bowen
This high-vibe steakhouse offers elevated ambience, fantastic steak from around the world, and dessert options that your tastebuds won't soon forget.
By Tara Bowen
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Shopping Tips
By Tara Bowen
Fans of Starbucks' high-protein coffees who want to recreate the drink in their own kitchens should check out one Aldi product in particular.
By Tara Bowen
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Food Science
By Tara Bowen
Freeze drying food brings a number of benefits, including extending its shelf life. Here's what to expect when it comes to freeze-dried food's texture.
By Tara Bowen
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Despite the creativity and hard work that goes into crafting a recipe, chefs don't technically own their own recipes. We asked a lawyer why that is.
By Tara Bowen
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They're great to have on hand when you're feeling lazy, but not all frozen pizzas are created equal. Here's how to find the best frozen pizza at the store.
By Tara Bowen
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Shopping Tips
By Tara Bowen
Surprisingly, one of the best pancake mixes that you can get your flapjack-flipping hands on comes from a musician known for both cooking and crooning.
By Tara Bowen
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Shopping Tips
By Tara Bowen
One bone broth stood out among its eight contenders when we ranked store-bought chicken bone broths. Here's the bone broth to buy, according to our review.
By Tara Bowen
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Whether or not growing your own produce can actually save you a few dollars depends on many factors. Read these expert tips to get the most out of your garden.
By Tara Bowen
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Restaurants
By Tara Bowen
You can find powdered, glazed, filled, and frosted donuts of any shape, all in one place. They're made fresh daily at this small regional donut chain.
By Tara Bowen
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Sugar cookies might seem like a treat that's always meant to be super sweet, but there are many ways to give them more flavor, from spicy to herbal additions.
By Tara Bowen
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When preparing a chopped salad, this one pro tip can elevate your dish to the next level (and inspire admiring questions about your recipe, for sure).
By Tara Bowen
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We reached out to an expert to get the lowdown on a key tool for grilling. Read these tips to make sure you invest in the right one before firing up the grill.
By Tara Bowen
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Design & Decor
By Tara Bowen
For a colorful blast from the past, this fun, nature-inspired kitchen decor is trending. Here's what to know about collecting these cottagecore-style pieces.
By Tara Bowen
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Kitchen Tools
By Tara Bowen
Keurigs are a lifesaver for many since they quickly make coffee while you handle other business. Just make sure you're not doing this, or suffer bad coffee.
By Tara Bowen
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Shopping Tips
By Tara Bowen
Pepperidge Farm is known for its remarkable cookie collection, but is every flavor on offer worth buying? Turns out, there's one that certainly isn't.
By Tara Bowen
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For the most luscious fondue, the ratio of the melted chocolate and cream is of utmost importance. Here's how much of each to use depending on your chocolate.
By Tara Bowen
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Most fast food spots that serve burgers have milkshakes on the menu. This Southern chain has over 40 flavors, and you can even combine them for more options.
By Tara Bowen
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Shopping Tips
By Tara Bowen
There are many canned coffee cocktails on the market, but they aren't created equal. If you're looking for the best, make sure you avoid this one.
By Tara Bowen
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If you want a quick, fruity breakfast, you can't go wrong with frozen blueberry waffles. Unless you buy this brand, which barely contains any blueberries.
By Tara Bowen
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