Mariana Zapata - The Takeout

Location

Miami, FL

School

New College of Florida

Expertise

Hispanic cuisines, Street food, Hotel restaurants

Mariana's first professional internship was with the award-winning site Atlas Obscura, and she wrote various articles for the brand's food vertical, Gastro Obscura.
She once interviewed the head chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant in South Korea.
She was a staff writer at Far & Wide, where she regularly covered international cuisine, restaurants, and all things food.

Experience

Mariana was born in Colombia before moving to the U.S. at the age of 10. She's lived in France and South Korea and has traveled to over 45 countries. This has given her a passion for new flavors and the experience to cover international cuisine. She likes fine dining as much as street food and has written about food for numerous publications, including Spruce Eats and Thrillist.

Education

Mariana has a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from New College of Florida. She also completed a semester at the Institut Catholique de Paris, where she studied French and sociology.

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 Mariana Zapata

For Easy Homemade Whipped Cream, Reach For This Type Of Coffee Maker

Making whipped cream at home is too easy for you to be still buying those nasty store-bought versions. This coffee maker makes the process a cinch.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Before Buying Canned Tuna, Always Check The Label For This

Canned tuna is an excellent staple to have on hand for when you need some energy on the go, but you should definitely look for this one thing on the label.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Are Coffee Pod Recycling Programs Worth Using?

Coffee pods are infamous for how much waste they produce which is why coffee companies have invested in recycling programs, but are they worth using?
By Mariana Zapata Read More
How To Make Lazy Tomato Sauce Without A Blender

Most fresh tomato sauce recipes call for using a blender. But if you don’t want to deal with washing more dishes, try this ultimate easy hack.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
You Should Think Twice Before Buying Canned Tamales Again

Canned foods offer convenience and a long shelf-life, but you should definitely think twice before buying canned tamales again. Trust us on this one.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
French Toast Wasn't Actually Invented In France At All

French toast may be a deliciously fluffy brunch staple associated with luxurious French cuisine but, it turns out, the dish doesn't come from France at all.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
A Simple Water Mistake Can Seriously Ruin Your Pour Over Coffee

Brewing coffee at home seems fairly straightforward, but the devil is in the details. You might actually be messing up the water when you make pour over coffee.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Is The Toothpick Test The Best Way To Check If A Cake Is Done Baking?

For years, home bakers have been using the toothpick test to check if their cake is done, but is this really the best way to be keeping an eye on your cake?
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Why The 'Fresh' Shrimp At The Grocery Store Might Not Be As Fresh As You Think

Fresh is always best, right? Well, that might not be the case when it comes to the fresh shrimp sold at the seafood counter in your local supermarket.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
The Chocolate Chip Cookies So Good They Were Served To 5 Presidents

As White House chef, Roland Meisner served world-class meals to five former presidents. But one of his most enduring creations was a chocolate chip cookie.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Here's How Long Homemade Butter Really Lasts Before Going Bad

Making your own butter doesn’t take long, and it's easier than you’d think. But how quickly do you have to use it before it starts to spoil?
By Mariana Zapata Read More
TikTok's Viral Popcorn Hack Is A Waste Of Foil

A hack for making popcorn in an aluminum packet on the stove has been going viral on social media. We tried it, and the results weren't worth the hassle.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Why You Definitely Can (And Should) Eat Unripe Mangoes

Nobody ever seems to talk about green unripe mangoes. Well, we're here to tell you you should definitely try and get your hands on some!
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Why The Rare Excelsa Beans Might Become Your Morning Coffee Staple

While arabica and robusta are the two most common types of coffee beans, excelsa is being considered to become a forerunner for supply.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Why Food Tastes Better When You've Had A Little Booze

We all know that food tastes better after you've had a few drinks, but why is that? The answer is not as straightforward as you might expect.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
There Were Once 17,000 Apple Types In North America — Where Did They All Go?

Your apple-a-day could have been different for 17,000 days. Find out how thousands of apples disappeared from North America, and if they still exist today.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
What's The Right Way To Use And Cook Cube Steak?

It doesn't get more deliciously simple than cube steak. So, if you're a big fan, then here are a few tips on cooking and preparing a great cut.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
If Butterfingers Aren't Chocolate, Then What The Heck Are They?

Butterfingers have held a place in the chocolate bar realm for nearly a century. Their fan base might be surprised to learn that it's not chocolate at all.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Make The Perfect Roast Beef Sandwiches At Home With These Cuts Of Meat

Making your own roast beef sandwiches at home doesn't have to be difficult, especially if you use the right cut and follow a few simple rules.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
What Does An Absinthe Rinse Actually Do For Your Cocktail?

Rinsing your glass with absinthe may not seem very impactful, but it actually makes a big difference. Here's why you should try it out, according to an expert.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Is Ramen Actually Considered Soup?

Is ramen soup? Let's dive in, because this question is surprisingly fun as we dissect what exactly makes ramen, well, ramen.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
The One Ingredient That Will Transform Basic Boxed Brownies

If you're bored with boxed brownies, there's a quick and effective way to make them tastier and more exciting. It just takes one ingredient.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Several Popular Frozen Meals Have Been Recalled. Here's What To Know

Yet another food recall is hitting American grocery store shelves, this time in the freezer aisle. Several frozen meal products are being recalled.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Marinades Are Great For Tenderizing And Flavoring Meat — But There's A Catch

Marinades give meat flavor and tenderize it, making for a tastier meal. But you need to avoid one marinating mistake which can ruin the texture.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Beef Isn't The Only Meat Used To Make Birria Tacos

If all you've ever had is the Tex-Mex version, you'd be forgiven for thinking that all birria tacos are made with beef, but there are other meat options.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Can You Save Meat That's Been Freezer Burned?

It's a huge letdown to pull meat from the freezer for an anticipated meal only to find it coated in freezer burn. But a few simple tricks can save that steak.
By Mariana Zapata Read More
Who Invented Southern Fried Chicken?

Fried chicken seems like an all-American dish. But what if we told you that it hails from a different country? Take a deep dive into fried chicken history.
By Mariana Zapata Read More

Back