Career Timeline of Alison Roman: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 12, 2025

How Alison Roman built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Alison Roman is an American chef, food writer, and internet personality. She gained prominence through viral recipes like #TheStew and #TheCookies, which spread widely on social media. She has held positions at Bon Appétit, Buzzfeed Food, and New York Times Cooking. Roman is also the author of several cookbooks, including the New York Times Bestseller, Nothing Fancy. Her work emphasizes approachable, unfussy cooking, contributing to her widespread popularity and influence on contemporary home cooking.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2011: Started at Bon Appétit

In 2011, Alison Roman started as a freelance recipe-tester at Bon Appétit under Adam Rapoport's leadership.

2015: Joined Buzzfeed Food

In 2015, Alison Roman left Bon Appétit and took a senior role at Buzzfeed Food.

2017: Dining In Publication

In 2017, Alison Roman's first cookbook, Dining In, was published by Penguin Random House.

2017: Cookie Recipe in Dining In

In 2017, Roman developed a cookie recipe for Dining In. This recipe later went viral in 2018.

2018: #TheCookies Viral

In early 2018, a cookie recipe Roman developed for 'Dining In' went viral on Instagram, becoming known as #TheCookies.

2019: Publication of 'Nothing Fancy'

In 2019, Alison Roman published her cookbook, 'Nothing Fancy', which became a New York Times Bestseller.

2019: Second Cookbook Success

In 2019, Alison Roman's second cookbook, 'Nothing Fancy', achieved commercial and critical success upon its release.

December 2020: Departure from The New York Times

In December 2020, Alison Roman announced her departure from The New York Times to pursue a new chapter in her career.

2021: YouTube Cooking Show

Starting in 2021, Alison Roman began producing 'Home Movies with Alison Roman', a cooking show on her YouTube channel.

2022: CNN Cooking Program

In 2022, Alison Roman was set to produce a new cooking program for CNN+, which was later moved to CNN as (More Than) A Cooking Show but then pulled, with her seeking a new outlet for the series.