Brendan McGinley
Expertise
Whiskey, Barbecue & Grilling, Charcuterie
- Brendan is the author of The Man's Book of the BBQ for Hachette (Spruce-Octopus).
- He knows a ludicrous amount of salting science for charcuterie, jerky, and BBQ dry rub.
- But he's also mostly vegetarian and will cook you a fine vegan meal using beans he grew himself.
Experience
Brendan has been writing about food (particularly BBQ) and drink for over a decade for numerous clients and employers, including AOL, MTV, Maxim, CBS, and Thrillist. He's been fortunate enough to interview (and eat with) numerous luminaries of barbecue, including Michael & Myron Mixon, Chris Lilly, Meathead Goldwyn, and others. He's also been known to ferment his own hot sauce and beer Brendan lives in NYC because the food here is delicious, but along the way he's learned a thing or two about cooking for himself.
Education
He has a degree in English with a focus on Creative Writing.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
We strive to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day; cooking tips, tricks, and trends; or 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. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
Stories By Brendan McGinley
-
Weller Millenium is a high-priced whiskey set for release by W.L. Weller. Read our review to learn about this expression and whether it's worth the hefty cost.
-
Starbucks has released its spring seasonal line of ground coffees, including a brand new flavor. We took a taste to see which bag of java is worth the purchase.
-
We asked several experts for their best tips on how to cook beef ribs in a variety of ways depending on the cut, while also avoiding common kitchen pitfalls.
-
Starbucks just announced its new Spicy Lemonade Refreshers, a piquant twist on the usual icy relief that lemonade brings to a warm day. Here's what we thought.
-
Find out which items on Panera Bread's New Era menu you should get excited about, and which ones are more negligible in these budget-conscious times.
-
Starbucks Reserve is releasing a pair of new hot honey coffee beverages. Here's our review of the new limited-time hot honey martini and affogato drinks.
-
Starbucks has released its 2024 spring menu, and Tasting Table was one of the first to try it. Read our review of the new lavender-based beverages.
-
If you're looking for top-flight tequila, Expresiones del Corazón tequila is a must. We tried out their full lineup and list out our favorites.
-
We here at Tasting Table spend a lot of time checking out food-related stock photos ... and sometimes we uncover pictures that are more surreal than savory.
-
Our restuarant expert ventured out to the new Peter Luger in Las Vegas. They've got a dish that's only available there, and one you won't ever see there.
-
Stranahan's most eagerly awaited single malt whiskey of the year is now available. Our expert is here with a review of Snowflake: Pyramid Peak.
-
The Peter Luger burger might just be the best in the world. We try it firsthand at the new Caesar's Palace location of the famed NYC steakhouse.
-
Smashburger has release a new offering of menu items it promises will be scorchin' hot. We took a taste-test to figure out if the new options are hot or cold.
-
Starbucks Reserve blends are exclusively at specialty Starbucks Reserve locations, but we've tried the new releases so you know the best upcoming blends.
-
Starbucks Reserve Roasteries are always whipping out creative cocktails, and one of this season's offerings blew us away: the Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martini.
-
Eagle Rare bourbon is a unique line from Buffalo Trace Distillery. We sampled each of the hard-to-find bottles to get a feel for how the entire line-up stacks.
-
Goose Island always does the Windy City proud with its annual Bourbon County Stout series, and we sampled and ranked this year's offerings.
-
Eagle Rare 25 is an exceptionally old and great tasting bourbon. Something this special doesn't go for cheap, but a taste is all it takes to justify the value.
-
Buffalo Trace's Prohibition Collection resurrects labels from the distillery's hallowed past, and we tested -and ranked - them all for your sipping enjoyment.
-
When pumpkin season rolls around, people think pie or lattes, but pumpkin ice cream is just as much of a treat - and we ranked several versions of it.
-
Buffalo Trace's 2023 Antique Collection has arrived, and we had the pleasure of tasting - and ranking - each bottle for your sipping convenience.
-
We tried both ice cream inaugurates at Shake Shack's Innovation Kitchen. Here's what you should know about these limited-release desserts.
-
We wanted to see whether Adel's Famous halal cart in New York City has food that's truly fame-worthy or too long of a line to stay famished in.
-
Shake Shack is using sugarcane oil to cook its fries at a couple of NYC locations, so naturally we had to try them - and definitely tasted the difference.
-
If plant-based burgers are your jam, you may think you've tried them all. But Beyond Meat's come out with a new one, the Stack Burger, that you're sure to love.
-
Shake Shack's Hot Chicken is back for its fourth go-around and this time it's brought a full Hot Menu with it. Here's what you need to know about it.
-
The 2023 Fall lineup gets a significant, boozy boost at Starbucks Reserve, and PSL lovers have to give these reinvented, amplified drinks a shot.