I count myself among the fortunate to be able to work at what I love — writing, cooking, traveling and taking photos. As a syndicated food writer, my articles have appeared in such newspapers as The Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and Baltimore Sun. I’ve also covered food and travel for such print magazines as VegNews, BackHome and Town and Country Living and the online publication Zester Daily. Throughout my food writing career I’ve worked as a recipe tester, trying out and tweaking the culinary creations of noted authors as well as my own recipes. My first cookbook, Fish Market (Running Press, 2013), will be released on May 28, 2013. Derived from my 15-plus years as a pescetarian, Fish Market looks at selecting, preparing and enjoying sustainable seafood.
Growing up in an ethnically diverse, former steel town north of Pittsburgh, I learned early on about exciting and influential world cuisines. Pasta fagioli, pita and pierogies all shaped my palate. They also spurred my desire to travel the globe, sampling them and other childhood favorites on their native soils. Thanks to a major case of wanderlust, I’ve journeyed through four continents and 37 countries (and counting). I’ve had the pleasures of cooking in Paris, Prague, Barcelona and Siem Reap, Cambodia and of collecting fabulous recipes and stories wherever I’ve roamed.
Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism brought me to New York City in 2000. Rich culture, disparate cuisines and the overall hustle and bustle of urban life kept me there. Today I live a somewhat “Green Acres” existence, dividing my time between Manhattan’s Upper West Side and an 1801 farmhouse on the outskirts of Philadelphia. When I’m not traveling, cooking or writing, I love to hang out with my family, friends and trio of rescued, stray, black cats, Scooty, Clive and Owen, the undisputed kitchen cat.
My culinary adventures and influences come together at Kitchen Kat. Here I share recipes, food histories, tips, photos, favorite cookbooks and cooking and travel tales. Like what you read? You can also follow me and my culinary stories by becoming a fan of Kitchen Kat on Facebook and by following me on Twitter @Kitchenkat.
