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Ali Francis head shot - Bon Appétit

Ali Francis

Editor

Ali is a writer and editor at Bon Appétit whose culture and lifestyle work includes reporting on the health claims behind fake meats, interviews with opinionated chefs about the evolution of restaurants, personal essays on the intersection of work and identity, and subtle attempts to propagate her favorite Australian foods. She developed the “Skeptic Tries” and “Cheap Tricks” columns, has contributed to various editorial packages on junk food and the future of dinner parties, and concocted a wild Thanksgiving personality quiz. Before joining Bon Appétit, Ali worked as a prep cook, agricultural reporter, creative director, and freelance writer, during which time her pieces were published in outlets like Narratively, Vogue, SELF, BBC, and Domino. She also sits on the Off Assignment advisory board where she offers solicited hot takes on editorial strategy. In five years from now, Ali hopes to become a surf instructor.

techniques

How to Make Grilled Corn on the Cob

A comprehensive guide to buying, grilling, and zhuzhing your summer bounty.
Cooking

I Begged a Bakery for Its Cult-Favorite Tofu Marinade

They once tried to take it off the menu. That didn’t go well.
Lifestyle

Please Don’t Ask ChatGPT for Diet Advice

Its tips and meal plans reveal everything wrong with internet nutrition.
Restaurants

Time Limits at Restaurants Are Controversial—and Likely Here to Stay

As restaurants fight to remain profitable, it's become common to put caps on how long diners can eat. It might be frustrating to customers, but it's more than just a pandemic-era practice.
Cooking

For the Chewiest Udon, Step on It

Foot-stepping noodle dough is a time-honored tradition.
Culture

Big Milk's War to Win Gen Z Just Got More Cringe

In a new ad for Big Dairy, Aubrey Plaza promotes fake “Wood Milk.” But dairy’s latest attempt to win the youths is a self-own.
Restaurants

Influential Boston Chef Barbara Lynch Accused of Workplace Misconduct. Here’s What to Know

A new report by The New York Times includes accusations of unwanted touching, drinking on the job, and impulsive layoffs.
Cooking

Here’s Yet Another Reminder That Raw Cookie Dough Can Make You Sick

Three people have recently been hospitalized with salmonella after eating uncooked cookie or cake batter, according to the CDC.
Cooking

Don’t You Dare Throw Out That Artichoke Marinade

This jarred brine is basically liquid gold.
Cooking

Can You Really Get Food Poisoning From Leftover Rice?

According to TikTok, yes. According to experts, also yes. But it’s easy to avoid.
Culture

Your Dishwashing Style Says a Lot About Who You Are

There are two types of cooks: Those who clean as they go and those who let it all pile up for later.
Restaurants

Why Are Oat Milk Lattes Still So Expensive: an Investigation

We crunched the numbers and reached out to cafe owners for some much-needed answers.
Restaurants

‘The Most Insane Ad for a Restaurant Server I’ve Ever Seen’

As a job ad for restaurant servers in Palm Springs goes viral for its list of reasons not to apply, the hiring manager tells BA why she posted it. 
Cooking

Do Fish Feel Pain?

It’s been a debate for decades.
Culture

People Are Ordering Catering Instead of Groceries to Save Money. Is It Really Cheaper?

The internet is divided over people ordering catering from chains like Chipotle to hack their weekly meal prep. We crunched the numbers.
Cooking

I Begged a Restaurant for This Brilliant Ketchup Hack

All you need are three ingredients to take store-bought ketchup from good to glorious.
Restaurants

We Asked AI to Create New American Dishes. The Results Revealed the Cuisine’s Cliches

If ChatGPT were to create a restaurant, it would be called “Harvest & Hearth.” And it would serve food that “draws on inspiration from diverse culinary traditions.”
Culture

As a Whole Foods Worker, I See Shoplifting All the Time—And I Don't Stop It

As the shoplifting debate heats up, one Whole Foods worker tells staff writer Ali Francis why she looks the other way when customers steal.
Cooking

Yes, There Is a Correct Way to Load a Dishwasher

All those years of ignoring your parents’ pleas left you with a disorganized dishwasher? We’re here to help. (But you’re still going to have to load it yourself.)
Cooking

The Correct Way to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

It’s way simpler than you think.
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