Our TeamMackenzie Filson

Mackenzie Filson

About Me

Mackenzie Filson is a writer, cheesemonger, and proud Floridian. You can read more of her writing on her newsletter, Book Sommelier.

Latest Stories

While Traveling in Italy, I Learned the Easiest Coffee Upgrade I Now Do Every Morning
Stanley Tucci would approve.
Mackenzie Filson
Feb 10, 2026
It’s Official: Italian Chefs Say This Grocery Store Olive Oil Is the “Best”
Turns out, it’s all about the groves.
Mackenzie Filson
Nov 13, 2025
I Tried 32 New Trader Joe’s Groceries Hitting Stores — These Are the 7 You Don’t Want to Miss (Plus, 2 to Skip)
According to a former employee.
Mackenzie Filson
Nov 7, 2025
Are Canned Beans or Dried Beans Better? We Asked 3 Registered Dietitians.
They all said the same thing.
Mackenzie Filson
Nov 4, 2025
I Stopped Buying Groceries Sold in Plastic, and I’m Mad I Didn’t Do it Sooner
It’s surprisingly easy.
Mackenzie Filson
Nov 1, 2025
6 Rude Things People Can’t Stop Doing While Grocery Shopping at Trader Joe’s
Avoid these five words.
Mackenzie Filson
Oct 27, 2025
The “Two Finger” Rule Is the Foolproof Way to Pick the Perfect Watermelon
Living
It's the hack that never fails.
Mackenzie Filson
Aug 21, 2023
3 Trader Joe’s Groceries I Bring to Every Party I’m Invited To (I Always Get Invited Back)
Number one is a “certified banger.”
Mackenzie Filson
Jul 20, 2025
We Asked 3 Bartenders to Name the Best Vodka for a Martini, and They All Said the Same Thing
Turns out, it’s all about the grain.
Mackenzie Filson
Jun 20, 2025
We Asked 3 Bartenders to Share the Best Bourbon for an Old-Fashioned, and They All Said the Same Thing
Turns out, it’s all about the distillery.
Mackenzie Filson
Jun 18, 2025
The 2-Ingredient Trader Joe’s Dinner I’ve Been Eating Nonstop for 6 Years
One bite and you’ll get it.
Mackenzie Filson
Apr 14, 2025
I Never Buy a Drink at the Airport — I Always Pack This Instead (It Breezes Through Security)
It “tastes like a liquid hug.”
Mackenzie Filson
Feb 16, 2025
The Clever Grocery Trick I Wish I’d Heard About Sooner (I’m Saving $75 Every Single Month)
Deals in almost every aisle.
Mackenzie Filson
Feb 13, 2025
The 1-Ingredient Coffee Upgrade I Learned While Traveling in Italy (Now I Do It Every Morning)
Stanley Tucci would approve.
Mackenzie Filson
Feb 6, 2025
The $7 French Trader Joe’s Appetizer I’ve Been Serving for 5 Years Straight (It’s Perfect for a New Year’s Eve Party!)
It’s not Christmas without it.
Mackenzie Filson
Dec 30, 2024
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Butter, and They All Said the Same Thing
For cooking and baking, BTW.
Mackenzie Filson
Dec 17, 2024
I’ll Never Buy Another Peach Without the “Brown Stem” Rule Again
It guarantees a juicy peach EVERY time.
Mackenzie Filson
Aug 1, 2024
3 Dollar Tree Grocery Finds I’m Stocking in My Pantry This Summer (They’re All $1.25!)
Number three is the flavor of summer.
Mackenzie Filson
Jul 19, 2024
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Jarred Salsa, and They All Said the Same Thing
“The heat level is just right.”
Mackenzie Filson
Jun 8, 2024
The 7 Best Home Decor Finds at Trader Joe’s, According to a Former Employee
There’s definitely an unexpected item in there.
Mackenzie Filson
Jun 4, 2024
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Frozen Pizza, and They All Picked the Same One
Turns out, it’s a nostalgia thing.
Mackenzie Filson
Apr 14, 2024
We Compared Prices for a Dozen Items at Aldi Versus Walmart
Life
We looked at milk, butter, olive oil, frozen chicken nuggets, and more.
Mackenzie Filson
Feb 27, 2024
The 10 Best Trader Joe’s Wines, According to the Store’s Former Wine Buyer
Life
According to a former TJ’s wine buyer.
Mackenzie Filson
Feb 26, 2024
6 Not-to-Be-Missed Trader Joe’s Groceries That Just Hit Stores, According to a Former Employee
Life
Number one is award-worthy.
Mackenzie Filson
Feb 22, 2024
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Bacon, and They All Said the Same Thing
Life
One has tried practically every brand out there.
Mackenzie Filson
Feb 9, 2024
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Frozen Chicken Nuggets, and They All Said the Same Thing
Turns out, it’s a shape thing.
Mackenzie Filson
Jan 11, 2024
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Boxed Mac and Cheese, and They All Picked the Same One
“It is undeniably the best sauce on the market.”
Mackenzie Filson
Dec 14, 2023
8 New Can’t-Miss Trader Joe’s Groceries to Try This Month
Living
According to a former employee.
Mackenzie Filson
Sep 27, 2023
3 Things to Always Do with Your Cart in Trader Joe’s — And 3 to Never Do
Living
According to a former employee.
Mackenzie Filson
Jul 23, 2023
The $6 Trader Joe’s Item I’ll Be Grilling All Summer Long
It’s crispy, smoky, minty, and, yes, squeaky.
Mackenzie Filson
Jun 22, 2023
7 of the Best New Trader Joe’s Groceries to Try This Month
Living
The ube pretzels are a must.
Mackenzie Filson
Jun 16, 2023
4 of the Best New Trader Joe’s Groceries to Try This Month
According to a former employee.
Mackenzie Filson
Mar 26, 2023
4 of the Best New Trader Joe’s Groceries to Try, According to a Former Employee
Including tonight’s dinner!
Mackenzie Filson
Feb 18, 2023
7 of the Best New Trader Joe’s Groceries to Try, According to a Former Employee
They hit the shelves this month.
Mackenzie Filson
Jan 27, 2023
The $7 Trader Joe's Dessert I'm Bringing to Thanksgiving
It's like an upside-down cake meets a cobbler.
Mackenzie Filson
Nov 22, 2022
7 New Trader Joe's Groceries You Simply Must Try This Month
According to a former employee.
Mackenzie Filson
Nov 15, 2022