Ann Reardon is an Australian food scientist, dietitian and YouTuber, the creator and host of How To Cook That – one of the world’s most popular baking channels. Known both for her elaborate cakes, chocolate and dessert creations and for her methodical debunking of fake and dangerous online “food hacks”, she has built a reputation as a trusted, science-minded voice in a corner of the internet full of misinformation.
Reardon combines genuine expertise in food science with warmth and clarity, using her channel both to teach ambitious home baking and to protect viewers from misleading or unsafe viral trends.
TL;DR
- Australian food scientist, dietitian and YouTuber, born 16 August 1975
- Creator and host of How To Cook That, launched in 2011
- Known for elaborate cakes and desserts, and for debunking fake food hacks
- One of the largest baking channels on YouTube, with millions of subscribers
- Made a chocolate Dalek cake for the BBC’s 50th anniversary of Doctor Who
Ann Reardon key facts
| Born | 16 August 1975 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Known for | How To Cook That (YouTube) |
| Background | Food scientist and dietitian |
| Speciality | Baking, desserts and food-hack debunking |
From food science to YouTube
Ann Reardon trained and worked as a food scientist and dietitian before leaving the field to work with young people in a low-income area of Western Australia. It was there, answering questions about baking, that the idea for How To Cook That took shape. She launched it as a website in 2011 and began posting videos soon after, sharing recipes for themed cakes, desserts, chocolate work and other confectionery explained with a scientist’s precision.
How To Cook That and debunking
The channel grew into one of the biggest baking destinations on YouTube, with millions of subscribers. Alongside her creative baking, Reardon became widely known for a second strand of work: carefully recreating viral “food hacks” to show that many are faked, misleading or even dangerous. Delivered with calm authority and backed by real food science, this debunking has made her a rare voice of reliability online, and she has warned viewers away from genuinely unsafe trends.
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Recognition
Reardon’s skill has been recognised well beyond YouTube: in 2013 the BBC commissioned her to make a chocolate Dalek cake for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, and she has since published a book of her creations. Her blend of ambitious baking and rigorous myth-busting has earned her a large, loyal audience and considerable respect within the food community.
Signature style
Reardon’s style is clear, patient and evidence-based. Whether she is building an intricate celebration cake or dismantling a viral hack, she explains the how and why in plain terms, grounded in food science. It is baking content you can trust – creative, educational and reassuringly honest.
Ann Reardon in context
Reardon is one of the most respected figures in online baking, working in the same space as other food creators featured on Pickup Table 4 such as Claire Saffitz and Nick DiGiovanni.
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Ann Reardon FAQ
Who is Ann Reardon?
An Australian food scientist, dietitian and YouTuber, creator of the baking channel How To Cook That.
What is How To Cook That?
Her website and YouTube channel, launched in 2011, focused on baking, desserts and debunking food hacks.
Why is she known for debunking?
She recreates viral food hacks to show which are fake, misleading or dangerous.
What is her background?
She worked as a food scientist and dietitian before becoming a YouTuber.
What is she from?
She is Australian and one of the largest baking creators on YouTube.
