Haley McNamara - The Takeout

Location

Colorado

School

Metropolitan State University Of Denver, Vegan Fusion Academy

Expertise

Plant-Based Cuisine, Instructing Nutrition & Cooking, Grocery Shopping

The key to Haley's heart is a shopping spree at Whole Foods Market followed by a slice (or four) of their vegan pizza.
She's a cold-brew connoisseur — spoiler alert: the best is from a popular department store.
Her Kitchen Aid ice cream maker attachment is by far one of her most used cooking gadgets.

Experience

Ever since Haley was old enough to work, all of her work experience has involved food of some sort. While in college, Haley scripted, produced, and hosted her own plant-based cooking show on campus that was broadcast locally in Denver. She's worked as a brand ambassador for several reputable health food startups, where she helped market and advertise their products that have now taken over social media. Haley's most recent endeavor, and also one of her favorite endeavors so far, has been teaching elementary school students how to cook, nourish their bodies, and appreciate food.

Education

Haley earned her bachelor's degree in speech communication with a concentration in television broadcasting and a minor in nutrition from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She leveled up her passion for health and cooking by earning a plant-based chef certification under the American Culinary Federation, where she was taught both classic and plant-based culinary techniques by vegetarian hall-of-fame chef Mark Reinfeld via his Vegan Fusion Academy.

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 Haley McNamara

Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

The Pantry Staple To Give Your Gratins An Elevated Texture

If you want to enhance both the taste and texture of your gratins, there's one pantry ingredient you mustn't skip.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Fast Food

Fast Food By Haley McNamara

How You Can Help LA Fire Relief By Eating At California Pizza Kitchen

Ordering yourself a pizza rarely helps support a charitable cause, but California Pizza Kitchen will be donating a portion of sales to aid LA wildfire victims.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

Here's How To Pick The Perfect Salad Dressing For Your Greens

Salad dressings are not one-size-fits-all. There are actually specific combinations of dressings and greens that make a lot more sense than others.
By Haley McNamara Read More
History

History By Haley McNamara

Where Did Trans Fats Come From?

Trans fats have been banned in the United States because of their increased risk of heart disease. But what are trans fats and where did they come from?
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

The Best Substitute For Evaporated Milk In Pumpkin Pie

If you're looking to make some pumpkin pie but having a hard time getting your hands on some evaporated milk, there are several ingredients you can use instead.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

How Joanna Gaines Meal Preps A Week's Worth Of Veggies

Pressed for time? Joanna Gaines shares her simple 30-minute veggie prep routine, making healthy, delicious meals a breeze all week long. Assemble your pans!
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

The Simple Kitchen Tool That Gets Salads On The Table Much Quicker

Preparing salad seems like it should be easy, but there's a lot of prep work that goes into it. This helpful kitchen tool can slice through produce in seconds.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Fast Food

Fast Food By Haley McNamara

The One Ingredient Stopping Your Favorite Fast Food Fries From Being Vegetarian

Not all fast food fries are vegan-friendly. This guide uncovers surprising animal byproducts lurking in fries and highlights better options.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

The Breakfast Bread You Should Be Making Croutons From

Crunchy croutons can improve lots of staple dishes. If you're always using the same loaf to make them, you might want to try this breakfast bread instead.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

The Popular Legume That Makes An Ideal Vegan Chicken Substitute

Looking for a vegan substitute for chicken with the same taste and nutritional value? This humble but delicious and versatile legume is the answer.
By Haley McNamara Read More
History

History By Haley McNamara

How Olestra Went From '90s Diet Miracle To National Joke

The 90s fat-free craze brought us Olestra snacks, promising indulgence without guilt - until its effects on digestion turned it into a cultural punchline.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

Try Using Another Starchy Root Vegetable For Your French Fries

The reason potatoes make good french fries is their high starch content, but potatoes aren't the only vegetable high in starch. Try this other veggie next time.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

The Secret Ingredient You Need For Rich Vegetarian Gravy

Plant-based alternatives for gravy are unfortunately not easy to find. We spoke to an expert for their secret ingredient to upgrade vegetarian gravy.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

The Vegetable That Doesn't Get Nearly Enough Love In Egg Salad

Cauliflower doesn't scream egg salad at first glance, but break it out into small florets, and you've got a crunchy, healthy addition to your next batch!
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

How Blueberries Can Affect The Color Of Your Bakes

Blueberries are a truly amazing ingredient in a bake, but do it wrong and you won't get sweet, fruity morsels but a blanket-blue final product.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

Here's How To Bloom Your Yeast (And Why It's Crucial)

Blooming your yeast can save you wasted flour. See how to check your yeast is good for use, and why that matters - whether you're making donuts or a bread loaf.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

Why Some Cheeses Aren't Really Vegetarian-Safe (And What To Use Instead)

Because of a key ingredient, most cheeses aren't technically vegetarian. See what the sticking point is, and another salty, crumbly ingredient you can sub in.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

Ina Garten's Simple Must-Haves For Her Freezer

Ina Garten has seemingly endless tips for making things run smooth in the kitchen. See which quick-grab items she likes to store in her freezer.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Cook

Cook By Haley McNamara

Ina Garten's Special Ingredient For The Best Roasted Fish Ever

Ina Garten is the queen of classic French home cooking, which is why we're not surprised that a regional ingredient makes its way into her fish sauce base.
By Haley McNamara Read More
Grocery

Grocery By Haley McNamara

What Exactly Are Salvage Grocery Stores?

Salvage grocery stores are a great way to stock up on food when money is tight. See what qualifies certain food products to end up in such a location.
By Haley McNamara Read More