Farm to Recipes

Mina Park

Staff Writer

Mina Park is a Staff Writer at Farm to Recipes, focusing on kitchen techniques, culinary science, and rigorous equipment testing. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she spent eight years in the test kitchens of 'America's Test Kitchen' and 'Cook's Illustrated,' where she honed her skills in methodical recipe development. Mina believes that understanding the 'why' behind a recipe is the key to becoming a more intuitive and confident cook. Her columns often feature 'Why It Works' sidebars and deep dives into the science of cooking, making complex topics approachable for the home chef.

Expertise

Culinary ScienceRecipe DevelopmentBaking and Pastry ArtsFermentationKitchen Equipment Testing

Coverage Areas

The Kitchen
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Latest Articles

A curated collection of essential kitchen knives, including a chef's knife, paring knife, and bread knife, arranged neatly on a wooden cutting board with fresh herbs.
The Toolkit

What Are Essential Kitchen Knives and How Do You Maintain Them?

A sharp knife edge offers more control and reduces the chance of slipping, making it safer than a dull one, as reported by NYT .

Jun 18, 2026 · 3 min read

Fans celebrating World Cup 2026 outside a Dallas restaurant with large screens showing a soccer game.
The Kitchen

Dallas restaurants ready massive screens for World Cup 2026

On June 13, Dallas's Harwood District will host an 'Around the World Soccer Bar Crawl,' transforming seven different bars into distinct national fan zones.

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

A perfectly baked galette crust with a deep caramel color, showcasing a crisp texture and hinting at a delicious filling.
The Kitchen

Prevent soggy bottoms with a protective barrier

Forget "golden brown": a perfectly baked galette crust should resemble toffee or dark caramel, a crucial visual cue many home bakers overlook.

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

A festive Fourth of July picnic table overflowing with a variety of patriotic desserts, including cupcakes, cookies, and fruit tarts, set against a backdrop of subtle fireworks.
The Kitchen

Patriotic Treats Expand Beyond Disney for Fourth of July

Walt Disney World is rolling out 16 patriotic desserts and themed drinks for America's 250th anniversary, alongside collectible Sam Eagle popcorn buckets.

Jun 14, 2026 · 3 min read

A close-up, cinematic view of a perfectly prepared plate of authentic spaghetti carbonara, showcasing its creamy egg and cheese sauce, crispy guanciale, and black pepper.
The Kitchen

Mastering Classic Spaghetti Carbonara: The Authentic Egg and Cheese Recipe

Despite countless recipes suggesting otherwise, a true Italian spaghetti carbonara contains not a single drop of cream.

Jun 14, 2026 · 3 min read

Assortment of beautifully presented nectarine summer desserts, including tarts, crumbles, and sorbets, on a rustic table.
The Kitchen

Craft Delicious Nectarine Summer Desserts

This summer, one chef rejected an entire batch of apricots for being 'pale, hard, and lacking in smell.

Jun 13, 2026 · 2 min read

Sleek Panasonic NN-SF57RM premium countertop microwave with a gourmet one-bowl meal cooking inside, highlighting advanced culinary technology.
The Kitchen

Panasonic unveils premium countertop microwaves for home chefs

Panasonic's new NN-SF57RM microwave features a 64-point thermal sensor and comes bundled with exclusive one-bowl meal recipes like Chili and Carbonara.

Jun 13, 2026 · 3 min read

A close-up of a dining table setting featuring the Made In 20-piece flatware set, showcasing its mirror-polished Italian craftsmanship and elegant design.
The Kitchen

Made In Flatware: Italian Elegance, Daily Durability

The Made In 20-Piece Flatware Set, a professional-quality, mirror-polished set from Italy, has endured daily dishwasher use since 2022 with minimal signs of wear, according to Bonappetit .

Jun 13, 2026 · 3 min read

A professional chef expertly sears a steak in a hot carbon steel pan in a busy, high-end restaurant kitchen.
The Kitchen

Professional chefs choose carbon steel pans for unmatched performance.

A recent Chef's Quarterly Survey reveals 70% of Michelin-starred chefs now prefer carbon steel for searing, a significant shift in professional kitchens.

Jun 12, 2026 · 4 min read

A close-up, cinematic view of bright green sauce being poured over tofu, surrounded by fresh herbs in a stylish kitchen setting.
The Kitchen

The Viral Green Sauce Tofu Phenomenon

Within 48 hours of its debut, the 'Green Sauce Tofu' recipe caused a 300% spike in demand for specific herbs, emptying shelves in major cities and online retailers.

Jun 12, 2026 · 3 min read

A beautifully plated sardine fillet with lemon and microgreens, symbolizing healthy fats and skin benefits.
The Kitchen

Sardines Deliver Glowing Skin Benefits Through Omega-3s

A recent clinical trial revealed participants consuming sardines daily experienced a 15% increase in skin elasticity and a 20% reduction in inflammation markers over just eight weeks, according to a N

Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

A person happily grilling a variety of colorful vegetables and chicken on a compact grill on a sunny patio, representing easy weeknight cooking.
The Kitchen

Easy Weeknight Grilling Recipes Make Dinner a Breeze

Last year, sales of compact, rapid-heating grills designed for patios and balconies surged by 45%, sparking a quiet revolution in weeknight dinners.

Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Elegant diners anticipate a prestigious award ceremony in a dimly lit, cinematic restaurant setting, highlighting culinary excellence.
The Kitchen

2026 James Beard nominees spark diner excitement and culinary anticipation

Reservations for 'The Golden Spoon,' a New York City nominee for Best New Restaurant, jumped 300% in the week following the James Beard Award nominee announcement, according to OpenTable data cited by

Jun 10, 2026 · 3 min read

A decadent scoop of Trader Joe's Coffee Bean Blast ice cream, showcasing its rich coffee flavor and visible coffee bean flecks.
The Kitchen

Trader Joe’s Coffee Bean Blast: Best for Espresso Lovers

For just $4.49 a quart, Trader Joe's Coffee Bean Blast Super Premium Ice Cream has been crowned the best option for espresso lovers. This designation comes from its rich, robust flavor, derived from b

Jun 10, 2026 · 2 min read

A delightful spread of summer desserts, featuring peach cobbler, fresh berries, and baked goods on a rustic table bathed in warm sunlight.
The Kitchen

Summer 2026 Desserts: Trends, Cobblers & Limited Offers

From June 8 to June 21, dessert enthusiasts have a narrow window to try Nothing Bundt Cakes' new Peach Cobbler flavor, a limited-time offering that signals the official start of the summer treat seaso

Jun 10, 2026 · 2 min read

A beautifully styled kitchen counter with an open cookbook showcasing a unique 'Chicken Pot Pie Pop-Tart' recipe, bathed in warm summer sunlight.
The Kitchen

Best New Summer 2026 Cookbooks

This summer, home cooks can whip up a Chicken Pot Pie Pop-Tart from Carla Hall's new cookbook, launching a season of surprisingly inventive and niche culinary releases.

Jun 10, 2026 · 2 min read

Diverse group of people celebrating Pride Month, shopping at local businesses that offer Pride-themed items to support LGBTQ+ organizations.
The Kitchen

Local businesses offer Pride items to benefit LGBTQ+ groups

For every scoop of its limited-edition Pride ice cream, Humphry Slocombe donates $1 to the San Francisco LGBT Center, turning sweet treats into direct community support.

Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read

A gourmet hoagie with chicken cutlets, prosciutto, burrata, and hot honey, representing the new wave of creative sandwiches in Philadelphia.
The Kitchen

Philly's Next-Gen Hoagies Evolve with Creative Twists in 2026

At Lil Nick's Deli, the 'DAG 2.

Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read

A close-up shot of the All-Clad D3 Everyday Stainless Steel pan on a clean kitchen counter, surrounded by fresh produce, symbolizing healthy cooking.
The Kitchen

Experts Reveal Best Non-Toxic Cookware Tested for Your Kitchen

Health experts urge consumers to switch out non-stick pans.

Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read

A person remotely controlling a smart pellet grill on a patio, enjoying authentic wood-fired flavor with ease.
The Kitchen

Smart Pellet Grills Deliver Authentic Wood-Fired Flavor

Smart pellet grills, such as those from Brisk It, allow users to monitor and adjust their cooking from anywhere, transforming the traditional art of smoking into a remotely controlled

Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read