Francesca Duarte - The Takeout

Location

Orlando, FL

School

University Of Central Florida

Expertise

Plant-based And Sustainable Cooking, Coffee And Beverage Development, Latinx And Hispanic Cuisine

When Francesca isn't freelancing for The Takeout, she's covering local food culture news with a focus on sustainability for Downtown Orlando's newspaper, The Community Paper.
She has gained thorough knowledge about coffee and beverages working as a barista at local coffee shops around her city, including a French cafe, a vegan coffee bar, and a Puerto Rican coffee truck.
With a passion for animal rights, she has practiced a plant-based lifestyle since she was 15 and is determined to try vegan restaurants in each state of the U.S. Her favorite vegan meals so far have been in Portland, OR and Miami, FL.

Experience

Francesca has always been passionate about writing and food, so combining the two into one role felt like the perfect intersection. She started off as a writer for her college newspaper while working as a server and barista. Having witnessed just how much waste is involved in the food service industry, she became an advocate for sustainability and has written features about the issue for Downtown Orlando's newspaper, The Community Paper. She began her freelancing career as an editorial fellow for YourTango, covering social justice issues, mental health, and pop culture. Having delved into various beats, she's excited to hone in on her passion for food culture and cuisine. Born into a Brazilian and Cuban family, she embraces her Hispanic and Latina roots with a plant-based approach and enjoys exploring the creative possibilities of plant-powered meals. She plans to one day open a vegan food truck featuring Hispanic and Asian fusion cuisine with her partner.

Education

Francesca has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Cinema Studies from the University of Central Florida.

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 Francesca Duarte

Cook

Cook By Francesca Duarte

Why You Need To Give Mushrooms Space When Sauteeing

Cooking with mushrooms seems simple, but most of us are doing it wrong. If you're tired of soggy, rubbery mushrooms, this pro cooking tip will help you out.
By Francesca Duarte Read More
Cook

Cook By Francesca Duarte

Mustard Is The Unexpected Ingredient That Will Truly Elevate Taco Night

Just a dash of yellow mustard in your base will give your tacos an unexpected tang and make you wish Taco Tuesday was every night of the week.
By Francesca Duarte Read More
Cook

Cook By Francesca Duarte

How To Make French Toast If You Can't Eat Milk Or Eggs

Just because you've stopped eating dairy or eggs doesn't mean you have to live without French toast. Here's how the pros make vegan French toast at home.
By Francesca Duarte Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Francesca Duarte

Why The Death In The Afternoon Cocktail Has Such A Morbid Name

If you've ever had a Death in the Afternoon cocktail or even heard of it, you might have wondered why it has such a morbid name. Here's the story.
By Francesca Duarte Read More
Grocery

Grocery By Francesca Duarte

The Trader Joe's Fall Item That Will Transform Your Popcorn

Do you want a simple way to transform your basic popcorn into a festive fall treat? This Trader Joe's item allows you to make a comforting snack in minutes.
By Francesca Duarte Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Francesca Duarte

What Are Those Gas Station BuzzBallz Actually Made Of?

We know gas stations aren't always the place you plan your beverage shopping, but BuzzBallz (both the form factor and what's inside) are as fun as they sound.
By Francesca Duarte Read More
Cook

Cook By Francesca Duarte

Toss Granola In The Air Fryer For A Quick And Toasty Crunch

No need to crank up the whole oven just for a bit of granola. See how you can whip up your sweet, sticky grains, nuts, and what have you with an air fryer.
By Francesca Duarte Read More
Cook

Cook By Francesca Duarte

The Creamy Ingredient You Need For Mayo-Free Tuna Salad

Avocado in your tuna salad? Oh, yeah -- see why, in addition to being an upgrade in terms of nutrition, it's a tasty, reimagined take on the classic version.
By Francesca Duarte Read More
Cook

Cook By Francesca Duarte

Does Peanut Butter Make Ramen Better?

Two complementary items you can keep in the pantry for ages are peanut butter and ramen. For a savory, slightly sweet kick, spoon some PB into your next bowl!
By Francesca Duarte Read More
Cook

Cook By Francesca Duarte

The Dressing That Gives Potato Salad A New Flavor Profile

Who doesn't dig potato salad? Even if you don't, you should try the green goddess version of it, as it's a far flavor cry from the mayo-based traditional.
By Francesca Duarte Read More
Grocery

Grocery By Francesca Duarte

The Best Hot Food Deal At Whole Foods Is The Chef's Plate

The Chef's Plate at Whole Foods is one new way folks are shaving dollars off their growing food bills. It's hot, ready, and (almost) home cooked.
By Francesca Duarte Read More