Writing about food since 2004.

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  • The Coco Winner

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    There were some incredible entries this weekend in the Coco Cookbook Contest. The most impressive, technically, was this mushroom stuffed quail with risotto by Joe; the funniest was “Become a Master Chef in 5 Easy Steps” by Cristin (she burned her feet like I did in this old post). There was also a masterful Southern…

  • Win Coco by Phaidon

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    One of the most beautiful books to come into my possession in recent months has been the Coco book by Phaidon (see here). The book features ten master chefs (including Mario Batali, Ferran Adria, and Fergus Henderson) who write essays about their ten favorite chefs (100 chefs total); there are gorgeous pictures, recipes and a…

  • The First Newsletter

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    My very first newsletter went out this morning (subscribe here) and, as promised, it contains very exclusive content, including a secret salad I made the other night for dinner, my favorite dish at Colicchio & Sons and a picture of the crowds at the Village Voice Choice Eats event. If you’re still not convinced that…

  • The New & Improved Amateur Gourmet

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    It’s 7:45 AM and I can’t contain it anymore. I laid in bed last night, jittery and nervous, anxious and excited. In just a few hours the new version of my blog, the blog I’d been writing for the past six years, would be launching. And now–standing before you in all its glory–is the new…

  • I Heart February

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    Every so often, when our lovely and talented banner illustrator Lindy Groening designs a new monthly banner, she asks me to send her some pictures of myself in various poses to fit into the banner scheme. Imagine my shock when, last week, she asked me to send her NAKED pictures of myself for this month’s…

  • 6 Years

    6 Years

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    No need to make a fuss, but today’s the 6th anniversary of my blog. Six years ago, on January 14th, 2004 to be exact, I wrote the following words: “Are you sick of competency? Of food blogs run by competent people with flawless track records and no history of salmonella? Are you tired of not…

  • Food Writing 101

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    For those of you who don’t follow me on Twitter, some exciting news: I’ll be teaching an online food writing class for the Gotham Writers’ Workhop next month. The class is eleven weeks, features direct feedback from yours truly on your writing samples, and–the coolest part–a workshop with New York Times food writer extraordinaire, Kim…

  • Fill ‘Er Up

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    Are you cold? I know the feeling which is why this month’s banner puts me to work helping you overcome the chill. Thanks, of course, to our marvelous illustrator Lindy Groening (this month’s one of my favorites) and to Justin Dickinson for making the banner fly. Now: would you like yours milk, bittersweet or unleaded?…

  • Gingerbread Rockettes

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    Thanks to A.G. reader Chris Monsos for the idea for this month’s new banner, a festive foodie tribute to the great Radio City Music Hall spectacular (with me getting kicked in the butt by a piece of gingerbread). Also, of course, a hat tip to Justin for getting those Rockettes kicking and a big salute…

  • Floating Away

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    DeNiro did it for “Raging Bull,” and now I’ve done it for this month’s banner. That’s right, check out the new plus-sized me floating up there in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Once again, kudos to Lindy Groening for another stellar illustration, and to Justin for puffing the air into all those balloons.