Diego Villena - The Takeout

Location

Charleston, South Carolina

School

College Of Charleston

Expertise

Mediterranean Diet, Lowcountry Soul Food, Vegetable Gardening

Diego is a seasoned traveler who's had many adventurous culinary experiences, ranging from fresh gator sausage to Bedouin maqluba to Dutch haringhappen – all in their appropriate settings.
He's a firm believer that cebolla is not an optional ingredient in tortilla de patatas.
An avid subsistence gardener, Diego loves putting the rich South Carolina soil to work growing fresh produce in a rural food desert.

Experience

Diego is a native-born Spaniard raised in Charleston, SC. As a result of his immersion in these two culinary hot spots, he is a major proponent of the "slow food" movement, placing a premium on locally sourced ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and wholesome recipes. Diego has worked as a professional lifestyle writer and editor for ten years, having managed multidisciplinary creative teams at TheCoolist.com, DIYs.com, Vanclan.co and many more. He believes that food tastes better when it has provenance connected to its natural and cultural environments.

Education

Diego holds a Bachelor of Arts in music performance from the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Takeout Editorial Policies

The Takeout’s industry-leading editorial coverage is the result of collaboration between writers and editors with a wide array of experience and expertise in the world of food and drink. Every article is fact-checked by our team of editors to ensure accuracy. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.

Our mission is to both inform and entertain our readers, telling them everything they want to know (and more) about food. We strive to always provide a well-rounded reading experience, bringing both the biggest food news of the day and a break from the news. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Diego Villena

Cook

Cook By Diego Villena

The Trick To Getting More Juice Out Of Your Lemons

Unlock the secret to perfect citrus juicing! See why popping lemons in the microwave boosts juice yield, and other tips for getting every drop.
By Diego Villena Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Diego Villena

Cheerwine: The Southern Drink That Was Invented For A Not-So-Sweet Reason

See how sugar shortages birthed NC’s beloved cherry soda and other staples. Born of wartime scarcity, Cheerwine's story proves necessity fuels invention.
By Diego Villena Read More
Cook

Cook By Diego Villena

Here's What Causes Sheet Pans To Warp In The Oven

Did you hear a noise? It was probably your sheet pan finding a new shape in the oven. See why they warp, and how you can prevent if you want.
By Diego Villena Read More
History

History By Diego Villena

The History Of Fast Food Goes Back Way Farther Than We Expected

When we're talking the history of fast food, we don't mean the raising of the first Golden Arches, we mean the time of the Pantheon. See its ancient roots.
By Diego Villena Read More
Cook

Cook By Diego Villena

Don't Miss One Key Step After Dredging Fried Chicken

Fried chicken seems like it ought to be easy, but perfection is a matter of nailing several specific things. See the dredge step folks often forget about.
By Diego Villena Read More
Cook

Cook By Diego Villena

How To Reheat Pulled Pork Without Drying It Out

Dry, stringy leftover pulled pork is a downright insult to what it was the first time. See how you can quickly and easily get it back to good eatin'.
By Diego Villena Read More
Cook

Cook By Diego Villena

Why You Shouldn't Swallow Cherry Pits

As irritating as pits can be when you're eating fresh cherries, swallowing them is no solution. See why it can actually present a serious problem.
By Diego Villena Read More
Fast Food

Fast Food By Diego Villena

Upgrade Your Taco Bell Nacho Fries With One Free Addition

Nacho Fries remain a Taco Bell hit, but if that cheesy dip just ain't doing it for you, we've got thoughts about how you can amp up the flavor.
By Diego Villena Read More