Marketing Head Shot   Lauren Grant

Lauren Grant

location-pin Des Moines, IA

School: Iowa State University

Expertise: Recipe development; beer, wine & cocktails; cooking techniques; baking; product testing; grocery shopping

Lauren Grant

  • 15 years working in the food and food publishing industries as a chef and writer
  • Founder and editor of Zestful Kitchen, a food website with cooking tips, tested recipes and how-tos for healthyish cooking
  • Worked in America's Test Kitchen and Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen
  • Writer and recipe developer for Taste of Home, Simply Organic, EatingWell, Midwest Living, Jim Beam and Parade
  • Winner of Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker award in 2021 and 2022

Experience

Lauren is a culinary food scientist and writer who has worked in food for more than 15 years. She has worked in numerous test kitchens including America’s Test Kitchen and Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen. In addition to running her popular recipe website, Zestful Kitchen, Lauren has also worked with leading food publications and brands. At Taste of Home, Lauren is the go-to resource for fantastic cocktail recipes. A few of the recipes she’s shared include a rhubarb gin cocktail, classic negroni and bourbon apple cider. Looking for more cocktail ideas? Lauren re-creates her favorites on her Instagram every Friday.

Education

Iowa State University, bachelor's degrees in culinary food science, journalism and mass communications

Taste of Home Editorial Policies


Taste of Home

Articles & Recipes

Here’s How to Make a Kryptonite Cocktail for the New Superman Movie

Although it's Superman's weakness, this vibrant kryptonite cocktail does make for quite the movie-viewing libation.

Coffee Jelly

Coffee jelly is an elegant three-ingredient dessert for dinner parties or date nights in. This fun Jell-O variation is perfect for coffee lovers.

Aioli

You've seen aioli on menus (and you know it's delicious), but what is aioli? This rich and creamy sauce is easy to make at home.