Writing Samples

Culinary Magazine Articles

• "Mac & Cheese for the Soul" ... Chef Todd English on simplicity and "Macaroni Simoni."

• "Shortbread, Pure and Simple?" ... Jim Walker himself talks shortbread, classic and new.

• "Toasting a New 'Couscous'" ... The surprising story of Israeli couscous.

• "Tasting the Fire" ... Tips from Chef Rick Bayless on tasting hot sauces and salsas.

• "Barista Secrets" ... America's top baristas share their espresso expertise.

• "Shades of Sweet Gold" ... A focus on varietal honeys.

• "Risotto Redefined" ... The cultural cross-dressing of a classic Northern Italian specialty.

• "Class in a Glass" ... The allure of ice-cream drinks, all grown up.

• "A Gentle Japanese Giant" ... Daikon, an Asian staple, has taken root in U.S. kitchens.

• "Back Door to Chongqing" ...  Getting locked out of a temple leads to an extraordinary encounter. (OK, this one is more of a travel story, but it has some food in it—including my attempt to eat a pig ear.)

Newspaper Feature Articles

•  "Seeing Glory" ... A hang-gliding mecca hidden in the orange groves of Central Florida. (Tampa Tribune)

• "Race for Space" ... The Bay-area housing crunch. (San Francisco Chronicle)

• "Taiko Drumming Strikes Emeryville" ... A local group's take on ancient Japanese drumming. (San Francisco Chronicle)

• "Cast-off Carpet"  ... Carpet as ... fuel? What do to about the little-known but ever-expanding and tricky carpet problem. (San Jose Mercury News)