Sarah Ward: Executive Editor & Culinary Leader at Preppy Kitchen
As the Executive Editor for Preppy Kitchen, I meticulously oversee and shape the brand’s celebrated culinary content, ensuring that every recipe and article meets our high standards of accuracy, reliability, and deliciousness. My career, spanning over a decade in digital and print food media, has equipped me with a unique blend of creative vision, editorial precision, and profound hands-on culinary expertise.
My culinary journey began as a passionate, self-taught baker and recipe developer, constantly honing my understanding of ingredients and techniques through dedicated practice in my Birmingham, Alabama kitchen. My professional career started in the dynamic world of digital media, where I contributed to the creative departments of leading ad agencies Digitaria and Mirum, gaining invaluable experience in content strategy and visual storytelling.
In 2015, I transitioned my culinary passion into a full-time career as a highly sought-after freelance recipe developer and food stylist. In this capacity, I collaborated with various clients, transforming culinary concepts into beautiful, executable recipes and visually stunning presentations.
My move into print publishing in 2018 marked a significant chapter. I served with distinction as the Food Editor for both Southern Cast Iron and Taste of the South magazines. In these pivotal roles, I was directly responsible for developing and perfecting a multitude of recipes published in widely distributed print editions and online platforms. My responsibilities extended to comprehensive oversight of all culinary content creation for each brand, including direct collaboration with test kitchen teams to ensure recipe accuracy, working intimately with food stylists to achieve captivating visuals, and guiding photographers to produce editorial stories. I ultimately ascended to the prestigious position of Lead Editor for Taste of the South magazine, showcasing my comprehensive editorial leadership and strategic vision.
Since joining the Preppy Kitchen team in 2021, I’ve had the honor of being an indispensable partner to John Kanell. I provide essential oversight for all culinary endeavors, including the rigorous development and testing of new recipes, strategic creation of video and social media content, and playing a critical role in bringing John’s three highly successful cookbooks to fruition, including a New York Times Best Seller.
Further solidifying my expertise and commitment to sharing culinary knowledge, I also dedicate my time to teaching hands-on baking workshops through the Alabama Folk School. This practical experience not only demonstrates my ability to articulate complex baking concepts clearly but also provides me with direct insights into the challenges and triumphs of home bakers.
My extensive background in editorial leadership, hands-on recipe creation, and content production makes me an authoritative and trustworthy voice in the culinary landscape, ensuring that every piece of content from Preppy Kitchen meets the highest standards of quality and reliability.