Rachel Askinasi

New York

Freelance Food Writer and Editor at TODAY

she/her Food Reporter @themessenger (previously at Insider)

Articles

See what life is like in the world's most isolated settlement, which sits at the foot of an active volcano in the South Atlantic Ocean

2 days ago | yahoo.com | Rachel Askinasi

The Edinburgh of the Seven Seas settlement is considered the most remote settlement in the world. The settlement, which is on the island of Tristan da Cunha, is home to just over 200 people. It can only be reached after a nearly week-long boat trip departing from Cape Town, South Africa. Forget summer 2025 — if you want to visit the world's most isolated settlement, it's time to start planning for summer 2026.
Should mocktails cost as much as cocktails? Consumers — and experts — are divided

2 weeks ago | nbcchicago.com | Rachel Askinasi

We’re currently living through a golden age of nonalcoholic cocktails. Gone are the days of seltzer water or juice as a nondrinker’s only beverage options at a bar or restaurant. Over the past three years, the nonalcoholic (NA) sector has seen significant growth, prompting heavy hitters like Heineken and White Claw to de-booze their flagship products and encouraging innovation in dealcoholized wine and zero-proof spirit options.
Should Mocktails Cost as Much as Cocktails?

2 weeks ago | today.com | Rachel Askinasi

We’re currently living through a golden age of nonalcoholic cocktails. Gone are the days of seltzer water or juice as a nondrinker’s only beverage options at a bar or restaurant. Over the past three years, the nonalcoholic (NA) sector has seen significant growth, prompting heavy hitters like Heineken and White Claw to de-booze their flagship products and encouraging innovation in dealcoholized wine and zero-proof spirit options.
Some small food businesses vow not to raise prices in response to tariffs

4 weeks ago | today.com | Rachel Askinasi

Cinnamon, jasmine, specialty peppercorns — all of these spices and teas (plus the hundreds of others) we love to use stateside are largely cultivated outside of the U.S.Now, with the trade wars heating up, some small food businesses say that looming tariffs are making it harder for them to get their products to consumers while staying financially afloat.
This Egyptian pitmaster is fusing Texas barbecue with Middle Eastern flavors

1 month ago | today.com | Rachel Askinasi

It’s a classic day in New York City: The subways are delayed, one of us gets on going in the wrong direction, and we both end up arriving more than 15 minutes late for a food tour. Only, we’re not here to talk about New York grub at all — today, it’s all about Egyptian food and Texas barbecue. Kareem El-Ghayesh, founder and pitmaster behind Egyptian barbecue restaurant KG BBQ, is visiting New York, and on his last full day, he wanted to spend a few moments with me exploring Little Egypt in Queens.
The USDA cut $500 million in funding to food banks. Here’s how they’re coping

1 month ago | nbcnews.com | Rachel Askinasi

As President Donald Trump’s administration attempts to lower inflation by reducing government spending, Americans are finding out the very programs putting healthy, affordable foods on their plates are on the chopping block. A pair of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs — one that funds the purchase of local farm-fresh foods for school cafeterias and another that funds much of the product available in food banks — were cut for 2025, amounting to more than $1 billion in purchasing.
The USDA cut $500 million in funding to food banks. Here’s how they’re coping

1 month ago | today.com | Rachel Askinasi

As President Donald Trump’s administration attempts to lower inflation by reducing government spending, Americans are finding out the very programs putting healthy, affordable foods on their plates are on the chopping block. A pair of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs — one that funds the purchase of local farm-fresh foods for school cafeterias and another that funds much of the product available in food banks — were cut for 2025, amounting to more than $1 billion in purchasing.
Inside the Versace family's journey through fame, tragedy, and resilience

2 months ago | businessinsider.com | Samantha Grindell |Rachel Askinasi

Gianni Versace was heralded as a genius for his eponymous Versace fashion house. His siblings, Donatella and Santo, and niece, Allegra, took over the brand after his murder in 1997. Donatella served as Versace's creative director for decades and announced she's stepping down. The Versaces are one of the most iconic fashion families in history. Created by Gianni Versace in 1978, the Versace brand saw a meteoric rise to fame under his leadership, blending the world of celebrity and fashion.
Inside the Versace family's journey through fame, tragedy, and resilience

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Samantha Grindell |Rachel Askinasi

Gianni Versace was heralded as a genius for his eponymous Versace fashion house. His siblings, Donatella and Santo, and niece, Allegra, took over the brand after his murder in 1997. Donatella served as Versace's creative director for decades and announced she's stepping down. The Versaces are one of the most iconic fashion families in history. Created by Gianni Versace in 1978, the Versace brand saw a meteoric rise to fame under his leadership, blending the world of celebrity and fashion.
How fears of ICE raids are affecting restaurant workers: ‘We have to always be alert’

Mar 7, 2025 | yahoo.com | Rachel Askinasi

It’s been over a month since President Trump signed executive orders cracking down on immigration, intending on finding and deporting undocumented workers. Immediately after his inauguration, the president began taking action toward his promise of mass deportations. While reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) showing up at a business in New Jersey and outside a school in Chicago spread, restaurants have also become a target.