Ellery Weil - The Takeout

Location

London, United Kingdom

School

University of Michigan, University College London

Expertise

Food History, Home Cooking, Viral Food Trends

Ellery earned her PhD in History in 2023. As a specialist in the Victorian Era, she has attempted to recreate some of Queen Victoria's favorite meals.
Her 2023 article on the Government Cheese Caves of Missouri was highlighted by author Jack El-Hai and director Julian Simpson in both of their newsletters.
She joined Static Media as a contributing writer for The Takeout in 2025.

Experience

Ellery Weil, PhD, is a writer and historian who has been writing professionally for over six years. She began writing out of pure interest while studying at the University of Michigan, with a feminist issues column for the Michigan Daily, Weil Can Do It, and has kept up with it through her undergraduate and postgraduate studies, eventually turning to writing as a profession. She has written for academic and popular publications, including Atlas Obscura, Messy Nessy Chic, Lilith, Haloscope, Byline, and many more.

Education

Ellery has a bachelor's in political science from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, and a master's and PhD in history from University College London.

The Takeout Editorial Policies

The Takeout’s industry-leading editorial coverage is the result of collaboration between writers and editors with a wide array of experience and expertise in the world of food and drink. Every article is fact-checked by our team of editors to ensure accuracy. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.

Our mission is to both inform and entertain our readers, telling them everything they want to know (and more) about food. We strive to always provide a well-rounded reading experience, bringing both the biggest food news of the day and a break from the news. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Ellery Weil

Julia Child's Trick For Perfect Pizza Can Be Found At A Home Improvement Store

Making pizza at home is a wonderful idea, but there are tricks which make the final dish better. Julia Child recommends grabbing this from the hardware store.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Only This Trader Joe's Olive Oil Is Made Exclusively With Italian Olives

With such a wide variety of olive oils, one that's made exclusively with Italian olives sounds like quite a treat. You can find it at Trader Joe's.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Humphrey Bogart's Favorite Liquor Was A Core Part Of His Life

Beyond the iconic lines, one specific drink was a constant companion to Humphrey Bogart, a star who prioritized a stiff pour and good company.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Once-Popular Mall Steakhouse With Only One Remaining Location

From its medieval decor to its signature chocolate pudding, this once-famous chain only has one location left. But it's still beloved by loyal customers.
By Ellery Weil Read More
One Of The Oldest Bakeries In The US Is Still Turning Out Treats Today

More than 200 years ago, a small regional bakery began producing some of the best sweet treats in the state. Today, it's still an enduring local favorite.
By Ellery Weil Read More
This Creamy Mint Cocktail Was Once Popular Across The US, But Still Holds On In A Couple Places

This creamy mint cocktail was once popular across the United States and still lingers in a few regions where its nostalgic charm lives on today.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Vietnamese Hard Coffee So Potent Customers Compare It To Four Loko

Remember Four Loko? The caffeinated alcohol beverage that sent people to the hospital? There's a new hard coffee that has some drawing parallels to Four Loko.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Elvis' Favorite Greasy Treat Was Stocked By The Pound In His Fridge

Elvis Presley loved this greasy treat so much he kept it stocked by the pound in his fridge, turning a simple indulgence into a signature habit.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Stanley Tucci's Favorite Grilled Cheese Explodes With Italian Flavor

Stanley Tucci’s favorite grilled cheese packs bold Italian flavors into a classic comfort dish, creating a rich, irresistible twist for lunch.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The World's Most Expensive Chocolate — Would You Spend $500 On A Bar?

Chocolate is getting more expensive by the day, it seems, but the world's most expensive chocolate bar is really pushing the limits of what people will pay.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Versatile Trader Joe's Meal Starter That Costs Under $4

This versatile, budget-friendly Trader Joe’s meal starter that costs under $4 lets you create endless easy dinners without breaking the bank.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Best Kit Kat Flavor Tastes Like Girl Scout Cookies Meets Andes Mints

Kit Kat is most well-known for its original milk chocolate flavor, but the very best version of the candy brand tastes like a Girl Scout cookie and Andes mint.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Oldest Brewery In The US Has Been Wetting Whistles Since 1829

Believe it or not, the oldest brewery in the U.S. has been around since the pre-Prohibition era, but it only began expanding south and westward in recent years.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Oldest Cultivated Fruit In The World Goes Back To The Stone Age

Human beings have been growing their own food for thousands of years. This fruit may have been the very first fruit we cultivated for ourselves.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Once-Popular Bottling Tradition One Midwestern Soda Company Is Keeping Alive

As time went on, this once-popular bottling tradition has faded out to make way for more convenient options, but one soda company is not giving up on it.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Once-Popular '70s Steakhouse That Met Its End In 2017

This unique steak restaurant had a moment in the 1970s and 1980s and had locations across the U.S. and Canada. Those nostalgic for it can never visit it again.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Old-School Sandwich That's Considered Beyond Gross Today

People can be so creative with their sandwich combos, which is likely the driving force of this old-school sandwich that might sound questionable to you.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Expensive Seafood Elizabeth Taylor Splurged On Was Once Banned In The US

Discover the surprising history behind the luxury, pricey seafood delicacy that Elizabeth Taylor enjoyed that was once banned in the United States.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The President Who Served The Worst Food In White House History

Every president has brought their unique eating habits to the White House, but this commander in chief served food that was notoriously terrible.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Gone-Too-Soon Filet-O-Fish McDonald's Mascot Almost No One Remembers

The popular Filet-O-Fish once had its own McDonald's mascot, but the unusual character disappeared so quickly that few people remember it today.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Old-School Ice Cream Flavor That's Still Super Popular In Jamaica

You might not have heard of this ice cream flavor, but it's widely popular in Jamaica, where the old-school dessert is more readily available than in the U.S.
By Ellery Weil Read More
This Brilliant Dollar Tree Hack Will Finally Free Up Your Precious Counter Space

This clever Dollar Tree hack helps you reclaim precious counter space in your kitchen with a simple, budget-friendly storage solution that anyone can try.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Expensive Bulk Buying Mistake That Could Cost You Hundreds

This costly bulk buying mistake can wipe out any savings from your grocery trip, and end up costing you hundreds in wasted money and spoiled goods.
By Ellery Weil Read More
It's Probably Time To Toss Your Old Vanilla Extract — Especially If It Looks And Smells Like This

If your vanilla extract smells off or looks like this, it’s probably time to toss it in the trash. Here’s how to tell when vanilla is past its prime.
By Ellery Weil Read More
The Unfortunate Way Drug Cartels Profit From Mexican Avocados

That ripe green avocado you're enjoying? It may have helped to fund organized crime in Mexico. Learn how the global avocado trade is caught up in cartels.
By Ellery Weil Read More
Yes, You Can Put Aluminum Foil In The Microwave — But Always Check This First

There's a saying about microwaves that you should never put metal inside them. If that's true, why and when is it okay to put aluminum foil inside?
By Ellery Weil Read More
How The First Presidential Chef Escaped George Washington

The very first chef to the President of the United States ended his career by fleeing from George Washington's home. This is why the man tried to escape.
By Ellery Weil Read More

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