Nikita Ephanov
School
Southern Methodist University
Expertise
Cultural Exploration Of Regional Foods, Specialty Coffee, Spirits And Mixology
- Empowered by travels to over 40 countries, Nikita loves exploring the cooking techniques and ingredients particular to a place.
- Nikita is passionate about finding the best cup of coffee nearby, which has led him to interview some of the world's most recognized baristas.
- He also loves to collect rare regional spirits, both for sipping straight and crafting into unique cocktails for his friends.
Experience
Nikita has written on food, coffee, technology, and travel for publications like Eater, Intrepid Times, and Sliced, as well as served as a staff writer for Cyberpunks and CoffeeGeek. His work focuses on inclusivity and cultural diversity, emphasizing food as a vehicle for the shared human experience. He believes eating someone's offerings is sensing their story through flavor: whether told by a remarkable chef or sung by the noteworthy voices of ordinary people. As a cook, traveler, and dedicated researcher, he strives to bridge the gap between the unfamiliar, trending, and accessible.
Education
Nikita graduated with an applied mathematics degree from Southern Methodist University. While unrelated to food writing, he loves pursuing interdisciplinary perspectives and applying analytical thinking to food reportage.
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 Nikita Ephanov
-
There's a nifty trick to making deliciously crisp and juicy smash burgers outside on your grill, while still preventing bits of meat falling through the grate.
-
With summer on its way, it's time to fire up that grill - but what's a dinner without some bourbon? Here's what to consider when pairing the two.
-
If you've ever spotted Swiss steak and cube steak at the market and wondered if they're the same cut, we've got the answer you've been looking for.
-
Bourbon chicken gains delicious flavor from the whiskey it contains, but that doesn't mean you need to use top shelf booze in your recipe.
-
When it comes to the cleaning process of cast iron pans, it's important to be mindful. Thankfully, with this trick your cookware will remain intact and clean.
-
Some recipes like Korean barbecue beef call for sugar in the marinade, but there's a step you should know about before you coat the meat for the best results.
-
The common diner breakfast staple of steak and eggs started in an unlikely location - Australia. We trace the history of the hearty dish.
-
Costco's signature brands offer up tremendous savings, especially their spirits. But who makes Kirkland brand Canadian Whisky? We have some ideas.
-
Many American dishes have overseas roots, and beef stroganoff is no exception. The original Russian version differs from that of the U.S. in a few notable ways.
-
Have you ever stood at the meat counter and pondered the difference between Berkshire and regular pork chops? Here's the difference and best uses for each.
-
Brandy cocktails are enjoying a resurgence as of late, with the brandy sour and crusta leading the charge. Learn what sets the two drinks apart.
-
If rum is your go-to liquor but you're itching to spice things up, there are a few good reasons why you might consider giving Irish whiskey a try.
-
It's always fun to find new flavors for old favorite cocktails. This addition to the whiskey and soda in a highball adds earthy flavors and a green hue.
-
The Keoke is a boozy, coffee-based drink not too dissimilar from an Irish Coffee. Here's how to make one of the sweet and warming cocktails.
-
In cocktail conversations, the Sidecar is a true standout. However, if you're looking for an alternative, the Brandy Crusta offers a unique spin worth trying.
-
Beef brisket is a notoriously delicious, but finicky, cut of meat. To get the most out of your meal, you need to rest the meat for a certain amount of time.
-
Salmon stands out as a delicious protein choice and understanding the differences between coho and keta salmon can enhance your culinary experience.
-
Maybe it's because whiskey isn't served at the movie theater, but we've been sleeping on the dynamic pairing of bourbon and popcorn for far too long.
-
Scones are a beloved baked good that can be manipulated in many different recipes. Here's the difference between using cream versus butter in your scones.
-
If you have leftover fruit, use it to mix up a whiskey cobbler cocktail. Check out ideas for fruit and whiskey pairings that work best.
-
People have been making stews for about as long as we've been cooking. The dish we commonly think of as beef stew traces its origins to 14th century France.
-
Employing quality alcohol can help out many drinks, but avoiding the cheapest liquor is especially crucial in sour-based cocktails for this important reason.
-
All-American carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and the chocolate-coated Brazilian version have a few key differences. The good news is, you can have both.
-
Bourbon is the only spirit that is purely American in origin, and the Willet family can trace their roots to the founding of Kentucky.
-
We all know the differences between light and dark meat in poultry, but there are differences between white and dark meat in crab you should get familiar with.
-
Unlike other canned varieties, sardines in tomato sauce are typically packaged without oil, and they taste absolutely delicious on top of bruschetta.
-
Edgar Rice Burroughs, the writer who created Tarzan, understood that bourbon should be the star in his cocktail of choice.