Shelli McConnell Shelli began her contributions to Better Homes & Gardens as a test kitchen professional. She was also an on-staff food editor for many years. She developed many cookbooks for the Better Homes & Gardens brand.As a freelancer and entrepreneur, Shelli has taken her love of cooking and contributed as a food writer to a wide variety of websites, books, and magazines for more than 28 years. She also writes about travel, wellness, wine, and gardening.Shelli McConnell graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in Consumer Food Science. About Better Homes & Gardens Better Homes & Gardens, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is the only iconic home brand with a 100+ year history of providing trustworthy and achievable ideas for all doers and home-enthusiasts. We are the go-to resource for fresh takes on home, food, and gardening—inspiring people to bring their dreams to life at home on special occasions and every day. BHG reaches 45 million readers each month. Learn more about us and our editorial process.