I started Delicious Dishings more than six years ago as a way to get all my thoughts and ideas about food down somewhere because I talk about food so much it drives my friends and family crazy. You can't get down a street with me without my pointing out some restaurant that I have been to or heard about. Sometimes I'll be in the middle of a conversation with a group of people and I'll realize that all we've been talking about is food . . . and it's my fault! I can't help it. Think Catherine Zeta-Jones in No Reservations.
If someone says, "I'm going to Philly," I'll say, "You have to go to Jim's at the corner of South and 4th! And don't forget to check out the Reading Terminal Market. The pork dumplings are amazing!"
If someone mentions strawberry or apple picking, I start rattling off doughnuts, pies, cakes, cookies, muffins, and cupcakes in which the fruit can be used. It's like that with any ingredient really.
When I think about throwing a party, I think first about what sort of food I can serve. Am I going to make finger foods? Should there be dessert? (Wait, what kind of question is that? Always dessert!) How will everything fit together? Can I create some sort of food theme?
The running joke in my family is that I always show up at my parents' house (in Connecticut where I grew up) right when a meal is being put on the table. I take that to mean I have impeccable timing. My dad is a CIA-trained chef and my mom cooks incredibly well, so who wouldn't show up at dinnertime?
I had to see Ratatouille as soon as it came out. A Disney movie . . . about food! Who can pass that up? And what's more, when I got home, like so many others, I had to make ratatouille. "Anyone can cook!" I also had to see Julie & Julia the moment it came out because I so thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and because Julia Child is one of my many heroes. As for other food heroes: I waited in line for hours to meet and chat with Thomas Keller and loved having the opportunity to hear a book reading by Ruth Reichl and meet her afterward.
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On Delicious Dishings I showcase the dishes I've made as well as provide feedback on different recipes I've tested and offer tips and advice to my readers. I also post restaurant and book reviews and write about a lot of food-related events. I love visiting my local farmers' markets and writing posts about what to do with great farmers' market finds like zucchini, strawberries, and gorgeous summer tomatoes.
I grew up in Connecticut but moved to Massachusetts almost seven years ago to get my master's in publishing. I met my husband, Jeff -- and his (now our) chocolate lab, Gunner -- when we both lived in Inman Square... a little more than six years ago.
Jeff, who is my No. 1 guinea pig, takes some of the drool-worthy food pictures you see in my posts. He also works the mandoline like a pro, so he gets the role of sous chef whenever thinly sliced veggies are needed.
And if you look carefully at some of the pictures, you may even catch a glimpse of a curious puppy checking out the food. Who wouldn't want those lamb chops?
It has been a long time coming, but two-and-a-half years ago I finally got a great job that lets me combine my passion for food with my editing expertise. I've worked in editing and publishing since I graduated from college back in 2003, and while I love grammar and working with words, I also love cooking, baking, and food in general, and none of my past jobs incorporated those things. I now work as a senior copy editor at America's Test Kitchen, editing Cook's Illustrated, Cook's Country, and all the special issues of both magazines, as well as marketing and Web content. It's so amazing to be able to edit recipes and food-related content all day, as well as sample all the recipes being tested in the kitchen.
In addition to working as an editor for the past 10 years, in July of 2009, I worked as a pastry cook at Flour Bakery + Cafe, where I was responsible for preparing and finishing the pastries and desserts that go in the front display case. I also made tons of batters and doughs, the famous sticky buns, and so much more. Baking at home is fun, but baking in an actual bakery is incredible! Imagine mixing batters in bowls big enough for you to sit in! Imagine mixing up batter for and then baking 18 coffee cakes at a time! After 13 months of working at Flour, I decided that the bakery lifestyle wasn't for me (you can read the story here) and returned to editing full time again with hopes of being able to combine my passions for food and editing, which I finally did!
I hope you enjoy Delicious Dishings and that my writing and experiences offer something valuable to you. I look forward to hearing from you through comments, Twitter, and so on. Happy cooking, baking, and eating!
To read more about me, check out the links below:
The Dish On Me
Ladybug Cupcakes (And Some News)
Catching You Up
Today Is My Last Day At Flour
Three Years And Some BIG News
Guest Post: A Recap of Our Wedding
Wedding Glimpse: Bride & Groom
~Megan
Last updated: April 2014