Samantha Leffler is the senior food editor at RealSimple.com, covering all things food and nutrition-related. Prior to joining the Real Simple team, Samantha freelanced for Food Network, BuzzFeed, The Hollywood Reporter, Eat This, Not That!, and several other outlets. She was also the first Food Editor for Us Weekly, where she wrote way too many articles about what celebrities stock in their refrigerators. Samantha graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with honors. When she's not writing or editing, she can be found spending time with family and friends, traveling, or, more likely, watching Bravo on her couch.
Highlights
- 10+ years of experience working as a writer and editor
- 3+ years of experience covering food news, restaurant trends, and nutrition
- Graduated from New York University as a University Honors Scholar
Experience
Samantha Leffler became the Senior Food Editor at Real Simple in October 2021. In this role, she writes primarily about food trends, restaurant and dining trends, and nutrition.
Following five college internships, Samantha began her career as an associate editor at Wetpaint, an entertainment news startup helmed by Ben Elowitz, the co-founder of Blue Nile. During her nearly six years at Wetpaint, Samantha honed her editorial skills, conducted multiple celebrity interviews, and developed a social media expertise that drove millions of users to Wetpaint's content. By the time she left Wetpaint as an editor in 2016, Samantha led her own team of freelance writers and junior editors.
In June 2016, Samantha began freelancing, and wrote for The Hollywood Reporter, A Plus, and Eat This, Not That. Two years later, she became the sole food editor at Us Weekly, and launched Us Weekly's food vertical.
After more than two years at Us Weekly, Samantha began freelancing once again, this time with a specific emphasis on food and nutrition. She freelanced for Food Network, LIVEKINDLY, Eat This, Not That!, BuzzFeed, and a handful of other digital publications.
Education
Samantha graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She majored in Dramatic Writing, with a concentration in television writing, and was a Producing minor. While attending college, Samantha held five internships, including positions at MTV, Sony BMG, and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.
About Real Simple
Real Simple, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning, trusted online resource for smart, authentic solutions to simplify your life. We reach 11 million readers a month. Our content is written by experienced journalists and fact-checked for accuracy. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.