Laila Alaya - The Takeout

Location

FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

School

Nile University Of Nigeria

Expertise

Menu Planning, Finger Foods, Kitchen Hacks

Laila contributed to raising poverty awareness through content creation during her internship at The Borgen Project, including writing advocacy articles that supported global legislative efforts such as the Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act.
A major highlight of her career has been promoting African cuisine globally through her work with the African Food Network, where she showcased the continent's rich culinary traditions. Her efforts have resonated worldwide, bringing cultures together and emphasizing the global significance of African food.
From the bold flavors of Szechuan dishes to the delicate art of dim sum, Laila enjoys exploring every corner of Chinese culinary traditions.

Experience

Laila Alaya is a content writer with a knack for turning words into delicious, engaging stories. She's worked with Cozymeal and ClassPop, where she whipped up mouthwatering blog posts, promotional copy, and website content that spotlighted everything from cooking classes to chef-led events. Her writing helped these platforms grow, sparking curiosity and boosting engagement with fun, vibrant content. At African Food Network, Laila dove into the world of African cuisine, writing hearty articles that celebrate culture and food. With a mix of creativity and SEO smarts, she's been driving traffic and serving up content that is as informative as it is entertaining.

Education

Laila has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and International Relations and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Global Affairs and Women and Gender Studies.

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 Laila Alaya

Grocery

Grocery By Laila Alaya

Costco Shoppers Have Some Complaints About Their Produce

Does your Costco produce go bad quickly? You're not alone. Many shoppers report that Costco produce spoils faster than produce from other grocers.
By Laila Alaya Read More
Cook

Cook By Laila Alaya

The Condiment You Need For Tangy Mayo-Free Coleslaw

Regular coleslaw is great, but if you're looking for a fresh, tangy twist, try dressing your cabbage with honey mustard. Here's why it works so well.
By Laila Alaya Read More
Cook

Cook By Laila Alaya

Alton Brown's Favorite Apple Variety For The Perfect Pie

Celebrity chef Alton Brown has spent many years perfecting his apple pie, and shares the tip that makes all the difference in taste and texture.
By Laila Alaya Read More
History

History By Laila Alaya

Why, Exactly, Do We Leave Milk And Cookies Out For Santa On Christmas Eve?

Not everyone actually follows through on it, but the tradition of leaving out milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve has surprisingly ancient roots.
By Laila Alaya Read More
Fast Food

Fast Food By Laila Alaya

How To Get Free Krispy Kreme Donuts On Your Birthday

Birthdays are a great day to indulge in sweets and Krispy Kreme is here to make your sugar fantasy a reality with a birthday gift of free glazed donuts.
By Laila Alaya Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Laila Alaya

What It Really Means For A Beer To Be 'Tripel' Style

The casual beer drinker may not have heard of a tripel beer, but this Belgian classic has deep historical roots and a phenomenal flavor profile to match.
By Laila Alaya Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Laila Alaya

What Exactly Is A Growler Of Beer?

If you hang around craft breweries at all, you've likely heard someone order a growler of beer. While the name is intriguing, what exactly are they ordering?
By Laila Alaya Read More
Cook

Cook By Laila Alaya

The Best Garlic Bread Is Actually Made On The Stove Top

Garlic bread is a pasta night fave, but there's no reason you shouldn't treat as a snack. See how you can save time frying on the stove rather than in the oven.
By Laila Alaya Read More
Cook

Cook By Laila Alaya

The One Mistake You Need To Stop Making With Canned Beans

Canned beans are a marvel of modern convenience. Don't believe us - try making them raw. But you can still ruin them, so be careful of this when preparing.
By Laila Alaya Read More
Grocery

Grocery By Laila Alaya

The Worst Firehouse Subs Hot Sauce Is Sadly Overwhelming

Hot N Saucy’s Carrot N Chipotle hot sauce disappoints, with smoky chipotle overpowering the carrot’s natural sweetness, leaving it unbalanced.
By Laila Alaya Read More
Cook

Cook By Laila Alaya

The Fix For Acidic Canned Tomatoes Is Already In Your Pantry

Tomatoes are king of the nightshades, but too much acidity in the wrong dish can be a real bummer. See how you can mellow that harshness with some bicarb.
By Laila Alaya Read More
Cook

Cook By Laila Alaya

The Right Way To Freeze Butter

Regardless of the type of butter - salted or unsalted - you can freeze butter for a long time and get effective use out of it when you do it right.
By Laila Alaya Read More
Cook

Cook By Laila Alaya

Cured Vs Uncured Hot Dogs: What, Exactly, Is The Difference?

What is the main distinction between a cured and an uncured hot dog? A few things, but one of the main ones is how long it will keep in the fridge.
By Laila Alaya Read More