Location
Erie, Pennsylvania
School
West Virginia University, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Expertise
Budget grocery shopping, ALDI private labels, viral TikTok dishes
- Cara's real interest in food didn't begin until she was in her early 20s, when she worked in a local convenience store's sandwich station, and she and her coworkers would come up with creative combinations, using the ingredients on hand.
- She tries to attend every festival and event in her area where there will be good eats.
- Due to her recent heart condition and her partner's gluten intolerance, she has had to pivot in the kitchen and reevaluate her relationship with food and how she writes about it.
Experience
Cara got her start in food writing as a staff member for her college newspaper, where she penned local restaurant reviews. Post-university, she began working as a freelancer, returning again and again to the topic of food, including sharing her grocery store shopping know-how on QuerySprout and covering food and culture for her city's alt-weekly, The Erie Reader. Her work today with Food Republic encompasses all the know-how she's accumulated as both a food writer and a food service employee, and she aims to both enlighten and entertain readers with her culinary content.
Education
Cara has a bachelor's degree in English with a writing concentration and a history minor from Edinboro University, as well as a master's in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University.
Food Republic’s industry-leading coverage is created by qualified and experienced writers, and is reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure everything is accurate and timely. Outside experts are also consulted whenever possible to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.
Our mission is to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day or cooking tips, tricks, and trends. We also bring you recipes you can depend on, as well as 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. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
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Food History
By Cara J Suppa
The original donut, developed in New York by Dutch immigrants, looked totally different to the glorious donut we know and love today. Here's its history.
By Cara J Suppa
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Cooking Tips
By Cara J Suppa
Depending on how broccoli's cooked, it can be either bland or utterly pungent — but pouring some of this canned soup on it makes it taste absolutely fantastic.
By Cara J Suppa
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Aldi has some great successes in the bakery department. Unfortunately, it also has some products that miss the mark, and miss the mark hard.
By Cara J Suppa
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Restaurants
By Cara J Suppa
If you hail from the great Midwest, you have likely visited a supper club. These institutions have roots in the post-Prohibition era, but what defines them?
By Cara J Suppa
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Trader Joe's
By Cara J Suppa
Trader Joe's stores are, by design, much smaller than your typical supermarket; with that compact size comes a different standard of shopper courtesy.
By Cara J Suppa
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Food History
By Cara J Suppa
The first all-you-can-eat buffet in the United States only cost a single dollar back in the 1940s, which (even considering inflation) was a pretty good deal.
By Cara J Suppa
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You might think that the newer the gadget, the better the quality, but that isn't necessarily the case. Aldi's handy kitchen gadget chops like a dream.
By Cara J Suppa
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Pizzerias
By Cara J Suppa
While this gas station does serve regular pizza like you'd eat for lunch and dinner, its customers are absolutely over the moon for its breakfast pie.
By Cara J Suppa
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If you're still on the fence about obtaining a Sam's Club membership, the new updates rolling out in 2026 might be the reason to finally join.
By Cara J Suppa
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Casual Dining
By Cara J Suppa
Guy Fieri's popular show "Diners, Drive-Ins, And Dives" has highlighted some real gems over the years, but one Hawaiian spot is going strong a decade later.
By Cara J Suppa
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Some big changes are coming to Walmart this year, and in all likelihood, at least one will directly impact your personal shopping experience.
By Cara J Suppa
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Fast Food
By Cara J Suppa
A McDonald's Gold Card is a relatively mythical thing, allowing the bearer to acquire free McDonald's for a set amount of time (like life), but are they real?
By Cara J Suppa
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Cleaning Tips
By Cara J Suppa
Anyone who is in the process of decluttering the kitchen knows how difficult it can be to let go. Use the upside-down method to help figure out what stays.
By Cara J Suppa
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Costco is one of the big names in the grocery game, and while you might think you know its ins and outs, there are some persistent myths that may surprise you.
By Cara J Suppa
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Casual Dining
By Cara J Suppa
The era of cheap convenience is over for one major sandwich chain, disappointing fans who once prized its affordable prices and reliable rewards.
By Cara J Suppa
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Fast Food
By Cara J Suppa
It's that time of year again: When Lent rolls around, out come the fish sandwiches at our favorite fast food joints. But what fish does Arby's use?
By Cara J Suppa
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Pizzerias
By Cara J Suppa
One buffet-style pizza chain provides a shining example of how Chapter 11 protections can benefit a business — with a significant assist from Walmart.
By Cara J Suppa
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Casual Dining
By Cara J Suppa
Department stores have just about everything you need from home goods to clothes to a meal after a long day of shopping, but you probably forgot this one.
By Cara J Suppa
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All our service members deserve a good meal, including those in the Navy. But have you ever wondered who actually picks up the tab while they're at sea?
By Cara J Suppa
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Kitchen Tools
By Cara J Suppa
Whenever there's yet another food recall, we all know the basic drill. But what about when it's not what you cook, but what you cook on that's been recalled?
By Cara J Suppa
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Fast Food
By Cara J Suppa
Trust us: You're going to want to skip the third-party middleman and order your next food delivery haul directly through the Panda Express app.
By Cara J Suppa
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Casual Dining
By Cara J Suppa
You might not be able to stop by the original California drive-in featured in "American Graffiti," but you can find other locations throughout the country.
By Cara J Suppa
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Trader Joe's
By Cara J Suppa
Trader Joe's, it seems, carries an olive oil for everyone and every purpose, but the very best one has a peppery finish that sets it apart from the rest.
By Cara J Suppa
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Entertaining
By Cara J Suppa
Ina Garten, the celebrated chef and doyenne of entertaining, nearly walked away from television entirely after a mishap on a short-lived show.
By Cara J Suppa
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Fast Food
By Cara J Suppa
Whether it's Lent or you just love that crispy Alaskan pollock, you can get a bigger, more filling Filet-O-Fish with one simple ordering trick.
By Cara J Suppa
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Cooking Tips
By Cara J Suppa
Are you sick of same old, same old chicken? Do you want to cook (and season) it in an entirely new fashion? Treat it like you would a pot roast.
By Cara J Suppa
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Fast Food
By Cara J Suppa
A fast food chain once challenged the Quarter Pounder with a superior item. It should have been a hit, yet it flopped for one bizarre reason.
By Cara J Suppa
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