Ollie George Cigliano Website

Ollie George Cigliano

Private Chef & Food Educator

Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. She has previously worked in test kitchens and as a culinary manager.

Education

  • The University of California, Berkeley, BA, Comparative Literature

Professional Achievements

  • Rated Top 3 cooking classes in the Long Beach area
  • Rated 5-Stars on Yelp
  • Organizes local CSA (community supported agriculture) produce boxes

Certifications & Organizations

  • eCornell University, Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate
  • Medicinal Plants Certificate [In Progress]

Philosophy

Ollie believes that people are brought closer to one another over shared meals, which is why she became a chef. She hopes that her fun dishes can inspire happiness and connection for all those who share them.

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Forum Comments (1)

How to soften butter at room temp quickly?
Put your butter out on the kitchen counter to soften it. According to the USDA, it’s safe to keep butter at room temperature, just not for too long. If it's left out for several days, it can turn rancid and cause off flavors, so the USDA recommends not leaving it out more than 1-2 days.

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Co-authored Articles (235)

How to

Use a Manual Can Opener

Manual can openers are a kitchen necessity! They are quick and easy to use, but sometimes it can take a bit of practice to use one efficiently. Use a handheld can opener by opening the arms, positioning the cutting edge,...

How to Remove the Giblets & Neck from Your Thanksgiving Turkey

Food educator Ollie George Cigliano explains where to find giblets, plus how to use themIf you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, removing the giblets from your turkey is an important step before cooking it. The giblets a...

How to Tell if Mushrooms Are Spoiled: How Long Do They Last?

Plus, how to pick fresh mushrooms and store them properlyYou’re getting ready to prepare some mushrooms, but they don’t look as fresh as when you first bought them. Are they still safe to eat? Just like any other foo...

Hone and Grind a Dull Blade Using These Simple At-Home Techniques

Give your dull blades a razor-sharp edge with a honing rod, a whetstone, and moreWhether you’re a culinary whiz or especially outdoorsy, your knives probably endure a fair amount of wear. Not only is a dull blade a cha...

How Do I Measure ¾ Cup?

Simple measuring solutions & substitutions for all your cooking needsYou’re making some pancakes, banana bread, or another delicious treat when you stumble upon a cup measurement in your recipe. But here’s the thing...

How to

Thaw a Turkey Fast

When you plan on cooking a frozen turkey for the holidays or any other occasion, the general rule of thumb is to thaw your turkey in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours for every four pounds. Usually this means about ...

¾ Teaspoon: How to Measure Baking Soda, Salt & More

Simple suggestions and solutions for foolproof measurementsTwo cups of flour? Check. One egg? Check. A teaspoon of baking soda… wait. How the heck are you supposed to measure that? This cooking conundrum has perplexed...

How to Measure a Tablespoon with and without Measuring Spoons

Confidently tackle your recipes with handy replacementsTablespoons are an essential unit of measurement used in many recipes, but they aren’t synonymous with a typical spoon that you use during your meals. We’ll walk...

How to Tell if Your Carrots Are Bad

Wondering how to know if carrots are bad? No worries—we’ve got you covered with plenty of handy advice on whether your carrots are still safe to eat. We’ve even included some tips and tricks on how to safely refrig...

How to Sharpen a Knife with a Knife Sharpener (Manual & Electric)

Plus, how to keep your knives sharp with tips from a pro chefThere’s nothing more frustrating than chopping food for your dinner only to find that your knife is smashing instead of slicing—in other words, it’s too ...

Tasty, Heart-Healthy Beetroot Juice Recipes for a Blender or a Juicer

Boost your beets with these juice-making tipsFresh beetroots (known simply as "beets" in North America) are loaded with nitrates that lower your blood pressure, along with antioxidants and other important nutrients. Don'...

How to

Blanch Green Beans

Blanching green beans involves two main steps: boiling the green beans for about two minutes, then putting them in ice water immediately after and until completely cooled. When done correctly, you can achieve a crunchier...

How to

Reheat Ham in a Slow Cooker

If you want to heat up a ham without drying it out, a slow cooker can give you delicious results. To reheat a precooked ham, place it in the cooker with a liquid. If you want to glaze your ham, mix a few ingredients toge...

How to Pan-Fry the Perfect Steak on the Stovetop

Private chef Ollie George Cigliano & wikiHow staff explain how to prepare the perfect steak in a frying panAre you craving a big, juicy steak but don’t have access to a grill? Well with a frying pan, you can still get ...

The Best Way to Layer Lasagna (Plus, Tasty Tips & Tricks)

Assembling lasagna the traditional way and how to customize itCheesy, saucy, ''and'' meaty? What’s not to love about lasagna? This indulgently comforting dish has been warming hearts and bellies for centuries. Its comp...

How to

Open a Pomegranate

Pomegranates are a delicious, nutritious fruit, but getting them open can seem tricky. Fortunately, there are a few simple techniques for opening this yummy fruit. If you just want to eat it, it's easiest to make shallo...

Is Your Fish Good to Eat? Signs of Spoilage & Storage Tips

How to use the sell-by date and other signs of spoilage to stay safeYou pull a filet of fresh fish out of the fridge, ready to make a delicious supper, when you notice the fish looks off. Has it gone bad? If the sell-by ...

4 Signs That an Egg Is Bad (According to an Expert)

Private chef and food educator Ollie George Cigliano explains how to tell if an egg is bad before and after cracking itHave you ever been in the middle of baking or cooking, only to notice your eggs are past the "best-by...

How to Measure a Serving Size of Spaghetti

Quick + easy steps to measure the perfect amount of pasta per personWhen cooking pasta, it can be tempting to just eyeball a spaghetti portion size rather than measuring the noodles out carefully. But you sometimes need ...

Great Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving

Learn what Americans traditionally do and eat on ThanksgivingThanksgiving is all about spending time with family, expressing gratitude, and eating until you can’t zip up your pants. We’ll cover the best ways to celeb...
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