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Jarrett Melendez head shot - Epicurious

Jarrett Melendez

Associate Editor

Jarrett Melendez is a Boston-based food and comic book writer. Jarrett has worked in bakeries, diners, and restaurants in Maine and Mexico, specializing in Mexican, Italian, and Japanese cuisine, the latter of which he learned from endlessly patient host mothers while he was studying abroad outside of Tokyo and a short stint in Hiroshima.

Before starting at Epicurious in 2022, he was a regular contributor to Food52, Saveur, and Bon Appétit. Jarrett is the writer and co-creator of the GLAAD Award nominated graphic novel Chef's Kiss (Oni Press), a queer kitchen romance, and a comic-style cookbook called The Comic Kitchen. He is currently writing a graphic memoir, a middle-grade fantasy adventure, and an action-comedy. He lives in Somerville, MA, with his collection of Monokuro Boo plush pigs.

The Best Jarred Mole Pastes For a Shortcut on Time, Not Flavor

Of course, nothing beats a batch of mole painstakingly made from scratch. But if you've got a serious craving and not much time, these jarred sauces scratch an itch.

The Best Pantry Storage Containers for Flour, Sugar, and Beyond

Keep your dry goods dry (and safe from pests) with the storage containers commercial kitchens swear by.

The Best Indoor Grills for People Who Don't Have Outdoor Space

It won't be exactly the same as an open flame, but maybe it doesn't need to be.

The Best Anchovies for Pasta, Pizza, and More

They’re pretty tasty to snack on too. Seriously.

This Coffee Container Is the Secret to Fresher-Tasting Coffee Beans

Fresher coffee equals better coffee.

Pollo al Carbon

These bright and succulent grilled chicken breasts are perfect for wrapping in warm tortillas with spoonfuls of fresh salsa verde. 

Lamb Burgers With Yogurt Sauce and Arugula

This flavorful lamb patty with lemony yogurt sauce is guaranteed to spice up your burger routine. 

The Best Tortilla Press for Freshly Made Tortillas, Anytime

We tested tortilla presses made of a variety of materials—wood, cast iron, and aluminum—to find the very best one for at-home tortilla making. Be warned: Buying one of these may ruin you for store-bought tortillas forever.

Baking With Blueberries? Add a Little Coriander

Mixing a little coriander in with your blueberry desserts or pancakes will make the blueberries taste more, well, blueberry-y. And there’s a scientific reason why.