Joe Ray
@joediner.bsky.social
Food writer
@Wired kitchen gear reviewer
Cookbook author
Recipe developer
A Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of The Year
@Wired kitchen gear reviewer
Cookbook author
Recipe developer
A Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of The Year
We’re in a magic moment that combines a surge of new diaspora cookbooks with the ability to easily get the specialty ingredients they need. In my latest for @Wired, I look at at six of the best books, testing recipes from each.
Diaspora Cookbooks Hit Their Heyday
Six new cookbooks bring stellar dishes—and cultures—from around the world into your kitchen.
www.wired.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:43 PM
We’re in a magic moment that combines a surge of new diaspora cookbooks with the ability to easily get the specialty ingredients they need. In my latest for @Wired, I look at at six of the best books, testing recipes from each.
After a trip to the spa, my darlings have returned, glittering in the sunlight.
November 12, 2025 at 9:36 PM
After a trip to the spa, my darlings have returned, glittering in the sunlight.
Instant Ramen, soothing shadows. Noodling around with review recipe testing with Peter J. Lim and Bobby Lin’s latest.
October 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Instant Ramen, soothing shadows. Noodling around with review recipe testing with Peter J. Lim and Bobby Lin’s latest.
It’s frittata time! Today’s recipe testing for my cookbook reviews features @Kevin West’s new book from @aaknopf.bsky.social, “The Cook’s Garden”
October 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
It’s frittata time! Today’s recipe testing for my cookbook reviews features @Kevin West’s new book from @aaknopf.bsky.social, “The Cook’s Garden”
I’m knee deep in testing recipes for my year-end reviews. Here is LA baker Nicole Rucker's wicked lemony Greek yogurt pound cake.
October 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I’m knee deep in testing recipes for my year-end reviews. Here is LA baker Nicole Rucker's wicked lemony Greek yogurt pound cake.
If you’re reading about California’s legislation to phase out forever chemicals, then looking at your drawerful of nonstick pans and thinking of switching away, let my 2022 @wired.com story help.
It’ll be OK.
It’ll be OK.
Teflon Nonstick Pans Are Bad. Consider These Alternatives
The EPA will declare components of many Teflon coatings hazardous. Can a ceramic coating—or even none at all—cut it?
www.wired.com
September 15, 2025 at 7:06 PM
If you’re reading about California’s legislation to phase out forever chemicals, then looking at your drawerful of nonstick pans and thinking of switching away, let my 2022 @wired.com story help.
It’ll be OK.
It’ll be OK.
Following today’s Anthropic settlement news, if you’re curious about how the cookbook industry is affected by AI platforms trained on pirated databases, check out my recent ‘Cooking with AI’ story for @wired.com.
AI Is a Lousy Chef
I asked an AI-powered recipe generator to make some menus. It didn’t tell me to put glue in my guacamole, but the results didn’t come close to besting recipes written by professionals.
www.wired.com
September 5, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Following today’s Anthropic settlement news, if you’re curious about how the cookbook industry is affected by AI platforms trained on pirated databases, check out my recent ‘Cooking with AI’ story for @wired.com.
It’s summer grilling season and specialty BBQ knives are…a thing? In my latest @wired review, I spent a couple months testing two examples to see if they need to be a thing at all.
Do You Need a Barbecue Knife?
These specialty blades—cutlass-shaped mini machetes made for chopping grilled and smoked meats—aren’t a necessary addition to your grill game. But they’re fun, and they get the job done.
www.wired.com
July 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
It’s summer grilling season and specialty BBQ knives are…a thing? In my latest @wired review, I spent a couple months testing two examples to see if they need to be a thing at all.
I’m gonna let the robot arm holding the knife do the heavy lifting for me here.
My latest for @wired.com:
My latest for @wired.com:
This Guy Attached 21 Chef’s Knives to a Slicing Robot Arm to Determine Which One Is Best
Certified kitchen knife nerd Scott Heimendinger used a robot arm on multiple chef’s knives to collect 100,000 data points about which blades cut most efficiently. He’s ranked them from best to worst.
www.wired.com
July 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I’m gonna let the robot arm holding the knife do the heavy lifting for me here.
My latest for @wired.com:
My latest for @wired.com:
In my latest for @wired.com, things get squirrelly and weird when I cook with AI recipes
www.wired.com/story/dishge...
www.wired.com/story/dishge...
AI Is a Lousy Chef
I asked an AI-powered recipe generator to make some menus. It didn’t tell me to put glue in my guacamole, but the results didn’t come close to besting recipes written by professionals.
www.wired.com
July 10, 2025 at 6:45 PM
In my latest for @wired.com, things get squirrelly and weird when I cook with AI recipes
www.wired.com/story/dishge...
www.wired.com/story/dishge...
Reposted by Joe Ray
Here are five attorney-vetted ways you can protect yourself and the employees of a restaurant for both customers and restaurants owners.
By @theglutster
For more: lataco.com/ice-rights-r...
By @theglutster
For more: lataco.com/ice-rights-r...
June 11, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Here are five attorney-vetted ways you can protect yourself and the employees of a restaurant for both customers and restaurants owners.
By @theglutster
For more: lataco.com/ice-rights-r...
By @theglutster
For more: lataco.com/ice-rights-r...
Temperature control is crucial for making great sourdough. It can also be a pain. In my latest @wired story, I tested two existing products and a prototype that can help the control freaks among us make better bread.
www.wired.com/story/sourdo...
www.wired.com/story/sourdo...
June 10, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Temperature control is crucial for making great sourdough. It can also be a pain. In my latest @wired story, I tested two existing products and a prototype that can help the control freaks among us make better bread.
www.wired.com/story/sourdo...
www.wired.com/story/sourdo...
How much better is your food with MSG?
My latest @Wired story puts it in Cheeto terms for you
My latest @Wired story puts it in Cheeto terms for you
MSG Is (Once Again) Back on the Table
Monosodium glutamate has a poor reputation in the US, which is both unfortunate and based on misinformation. A spate of new cookbooks highlighting its powers is here to awaken our senses.
www.wired.com
May 15, 2025 at 6:06 PM
How much better is your food with MSG?
My latest @Wired story puts it in Cheeto terms for you
My latest @Wired story puts it in Cheeto terms for you
A ride through Tokyo with a stop at Blue Lug, the bike shop of my dreams.
My latest for @wired.com
My latest for @wired.com
A Visit to the ‘Best Bike Shop in the World’
Cyclists around the world are obsessed with the beautifully appointed bicycles from Blue Lug in Tokyo. As a bike nerd myself, and with a trip to Japan on my calendar, I had to pay a visit.
www.wired.com
May 12, 2025 at 8:39 PM
A ride through Tokyo with a stop at Blue Lug, the bike shop of my dreams.
My latest for @wired.com
My latest for @wired.com
I tested a fancy bread knife that cost a mind-boggling 18x as much as the top-rated knife I own.
It did…surprisingly well...but you could also donate the difference to @wck.org?
My latest for @wired.com
It did…surprisingly well...but you could also donate the difference to @wck.org?
My latest for @wired.com
Do You Need a Fancy Bread Knife?
A $450 serrated knife may slice a loaf just as cleanly as one that costs less than $50. But the benefits of the more lavish blade—quality, ergonomics, sheer prettiness—might make it worth the expense.
www.wired.com
April 25, 2025 at 8:51 PM
I tested a fancy bread knife that cost a mind-boggling 18x as much as the top-rated knife I own.
It did…surprisingly well...but you could also donate the difference to @wck.org?
My latest for @wired.com
It did…surprisingly well...but you could also donate the difference to @wck.org?
My latest for @wired.com
PoulTree’s chicken-on-a-stick is a perfect grilling method for technique geeks.
My latest for @wired.com
My latest for @wired.com
If You Like to Get Nerdy in the Kitchen, Try Roasting a Chicken on a Stick
This simple gadget is a fun and inexpensive way to tinker.
www.wired.com
April 14, 2025 at 9:48 PM
PoulTree’s chicken-on-a-stick is a perfect grilling method for technique geeks.
My latest for @wired.com
My latest for @wired.com
Woot! Kimchi in the top slot on @wired.com :)
April 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Woot! Kimchi in the top slot on @wired.com :)
"Soo Jin had not addressed me directly the whole time I was there, but here she turned to me and deposited one spicy, garlicky cabbage leaf rolled into a bite-sized dumpling, directly into my mouth with her still-gloved hand..."
Head to South Korea in my latest for @wired
Head to South Korea in my latest for @wired
For a Master Class in Salt, Try Making Kimchi
There are many recipes for the fermented Korean staple—typically made with cabbage, chili powder, and aromatics—but all of them put salt at the center.
www.wired.com
March 31, 2025 at 6:52 PM
"Soo Jin had not addressed me directly the whole time I was there, but here she turned to me and deposited one spicy, garlicky cabbage leaf rolled into a bite-sized dumpling, directly into my mouth with her still-gloved hand..."
Head to South Korea in my latest for @wired
Head to South Korea in my latest for @wired
A new GE Profile indoor smoker from can fit on a countertop.
Related: How big is your countertop?
My latest for @wired.com
Related: How big is your countertop?
My latest for @wired.com
Should You Smoke (Food) Indoors?
Countertop gadgets that let you prepare smoked foods inside your home have thus far been imperfect or impractical. But they're getting closer.
www.wired.com
March 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
A new GE Profile indoor smoker from can fit on a countertop.
Related: How big is your countertop?
My latest for @wired.com
Related: How big is your countertop?
My latest for @wired.com
Check out my latest for @wired.com where I tried Wombi's cargo bikes for three months and pretty much stopped using my car.
Want to Go Car-Free? Test the Waters by Renting a Cargo Bike
For around $150 per month, you can see how a cargo bike fits into your life. If you find you prefer two wheels to four, you can even buy your rental at a discount.
www.wired.com
March 7, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Check out my latest for @wired.com where I tried Wombi's cargo bikes for three months and pretty much stopped using my car.
Toaster, Toasted.
My latest for @wired.com
My latest for @wired.com
Some eager product designers have replaced the toaster’s familiar buttons, levers, and dials with screens and automated software. The results are rather stale.
Can Algorithms, a Touchscreen, and an Internet Connection Make the Perfect Piece of Toast?
Some eager product designers have replaced the toaster’s familiar buttons, levers, and dials with screens and automated software. The results are rather stale.
buff.ly
March 5, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Toaster, Toasted.
My latest for @wired.com
My latest for @wired.com
Oaxaca has lots of wonderful cocktail ingredients that don’t play well with others. Think: funky/saline rums, leaves with medicinal flavors, and, of course, mezcal.
I spoke with bartenders at the city’s best bars to figure out how they turn them into sublime drinks. My latest for @wired.com
I spoke with bartenders at the city’s best bars to figure out how they turn them into sublime drinks. My latest for @wired.com
More Than Mezcal: A Dive Into Oaxaca’s High-End Cocktail Scene
Using local ingredients like hoja santa, huitlacoche, insects, and a variety of mercurial spirits, bartenders in the Mexican city are testing the boundaries of flavor and presentation.
www.wired.com
February 17, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Oaxaca has lots of wonderful cocktail ingredients that don’t play well with others. Think: funky/saline rums, leaves with medicinal flavors, and, of course, mezcal.
I spoke with bartenders at the city’s best bars to figure out how they turn them into sublime drinks. My latest for @wired.com
I spoke with bartenders at the city’s best bars to figure out how they turn them into sublime drinks. My latest for @wired.com
This is fun—my recent ode to the “Midnight Diner” Netflix show for @wired.com is now in Japanese on Wired.jp
本物の「深夜食堂」を探す旅
大ヒットドラマ「深夜食堂」に登場する店は、まったくの架空の居酒屋だ。さすがにそれは知っていたが、米国から東京を訪れたライターであるわたしは、とにかくその店を探すことにした。
wired.jp
December 30, 2024 at 7:11 PM
This is fun—my recent ode to the “Midnight Diner” Netflix show for @wired.com is now in Japanese on Wired.jp
Round three! The third (and final—phew!) update to my Best Cookbooks of 2024 guide is live today on @wired.com. I’ve tested recipes from all 18 amazing books.
This round has my favorite recipe of the year...
This round has my favorite recipe of the year...
The Best Cookbooks of 2024
This year’s best cookbooks provide inventive, well-tested instructions for dips, barbecue, beans, and pasta. There’s even a book that tells you what the heck to do with celery root.
www.wired.com
December 19, 2024 at 10:32 PM
Round three! The third (and final—phew!) update to my Best Cookbooks of 2024 guide is live today on @wired.com. I’ve tested recipes from all 18 amazing books.
This round has my favorite recipe of the year...
This round has my favorite recipe of the year...