Ilene V. Smith - Food Republic

Location

New York, NY

School

New York University, Columbia University

Expertise

Nutrition, Food production, Culinary arts

Ilene has helped the food industry craft stories about the foods they grow, produce, serve, and put on store shelves for 25 years.
She has won two Silver Anvil awards from the Public Relations Society of America for campaigns highlighting the health benefits of specific foods.
She is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

Experience

Ilene has been a writer and storyteller since she got her first typewriter at age ten. She worked as a full-time editor and writer for various publishing companies until her personal passion for food, nutrition, and fitness led her to seek a degree in nutrition and exercise physiology. After graduation, she found a way to combine her writing skills and nutrition expertise working in public relations for the food industry. Working with everyone from small start-ups to large multinational consumer packaged goods manufacturers to ingredient suppliers and restaurants, Ilene developed a deep knowledge of the food industry and culinary arts, from seed to spoon and farm to fork. In addition to nutrition, she now writes about food ingredients, cooking techniques, growing methods, and more. In her spare time, Ilene is a personal essayist and is at work on a book of essays entitled "The Accidental Career Girl."

Education

Ilene has a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications from New York University and a master's in nutrition and applied physiology from Columbia University.

Food Republic Editorial Policies

Food Republic’s industry-leading coverage is created by qualified and experienced writers, and is reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure everything is accurate and timely. Outside experts are also consulted whenever possible to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.

Our mission is to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day or cooking tips, tricks, and trends. We also bring you recipes you can depend on, as well as reviews and recommendations. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our team is constantly reviewing and updating articles as necessary. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Ilene V. Smith

Exclusives

Exclusives By Ilene V. Smith

Want Tastier Grilled Hot Dogs? Don't Skip This Step

It's easy to mask a sub-par hot dog with loads of flavorful toppings — but this one step will help your grilled franks shine all on their own.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Design & Decor

Design & Decor By Ilene V. Smith

Hilary Farr's Tip For Choosing Kitchen Backsplashes And Countertops Like A Pro

Designing a kitchen can be daunting, but luckily Hillary Farr has a helpful tip for picking out the perfect kitchen backsplashes and countertops.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Exclusives

Exclusives By Ilene V. Smith

Consider This Before Buying A Vintage-Style Refrigerator

If you have your heart set on a vintage-style refrigerator, you need to make sure that you take these points into consideration before you do.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Exclusives

Exclusives By Ilene V. Smith

How To 'Sniff Out' The Best Potato At The Store (Yes, Really)

If you want to ensure you're getting the best potatoes (that will last the longest) from the market, then you need to perform this sniff test.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Food History

Food History By Ilene V. Smith

How The Huckleberry Became The Official Fruit Of 2 US States

The humble huckleberry is more than a character in a Mark Twain novel. These little blueberry lookalikes are popular in the Northwest, especially in two states.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Food History

Food History By Ilene V. Smith

Like Air Snacks: Here's What Happened After Shark Tank

Like Air Snacks sought to make popcorn safe and easy to eat, but did the Sharks on Shark Tank take a bite of the product or did the owners sink?
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Cooking Tips

Cooking Tips By Ilene V. Smith

For Perfectly Tender Brisket, Look No Further Than This Roasting Hack

Roasting a brisket in the oven has a few advantages over using a smoker or grill, and one tool will help you take your brisket to the next level.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Food Science

Food Science By Ilene V. Smith

Here's How Much Protein Is In A Hot Dog

As summer sizzles, you're likely going to head to a barbecue or two and, if you're like us, eat your body weight in hot dogs, but how much protein will you get?
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Food History

Food History By Ilene V. Smith

The 5 Best Cereal Box Prizes From The '80s That Made Breakfast Fun

Few things were more exciting when you were a kid than getting the prize inside the cereal box. If you grew up in the 1980s, some toys were extra special.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Exclusives

Exclusives By Ilene V. Smith

The Old-School Southern Cake That Makes Peaches The Star

If you have an overabundance of peaches and know you can't eat them all before they turn, then it's time to make this old-school Southern classic.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Drink

Drink By Ilene V. Smith

180 Cup: Here's What Happened After Shark Tank

180 Cup made waves when the founder, Solomon Fallas, appeared on "Shark Tank," but how has the company fared since, and what happened to its deal?
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
How-Tos

How-Tos By Ilene V. Smith

The Easy Way To Make Fluffy Cotton Candy Without A Fancy Machine

Feeling nostalgic for a bit of cotton candy? You don't need a fancy machine to make it at home: All you need is a hand mixer and some melted sugar.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Exclusives

Exclusives By Ilene V. Smith

Wagyu Vs Kobe Beef: What's The Difference?

If you find yourself dining at a top-tier steakhouse, you might be confronted with terms like wagyu and Kobe — but what's the difference between the two?
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Exclusives

Exclusives By Ilene V. Smith

What's The Best Flour To Use For Gluten-Free Baked Goods?

Luckily, there are a number of great brands making gluten-free flour blends that can be swapped one-for-one in your favorite recipes and bakes.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Exclusives

Exclusives By Ilene V. Smith

Give Tuna Salad A Creamier Texture With Just One Ingredient

Tuna salad is a great snack or lunch, but you can make it creamier (and more nutritious) by adding one delicious ingredient to your mixture.
By Ilene V. Smith Read More
Grocery

Grocery By Ilene V. Smith

Nourish Bloom + Market: Here's What Happened After Shark Tank

Nourish + Bloom Market aims to provide a solution for people living in food deserts across the United States — but would any Sharks invest in the venture?
By Ilene V. Smith Read More

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