Exploring the Charming Flavors of Brookline, PA

Brookline, located just south of downtown Pittsburgh, is known as the city’s second-biggest neighborhood. The area has experienced an emergence of new independent businesses, particularly food shops, over the past few years. It was through an invitation to join a walking food tour from Sylvia McCoy, owner of ‘Burgh Bits and Bites, I was able [...]

Can food be flavorful & beautiful while staying on budget?

Food has always been a central part of life – dating back to childhood days when I whipped up culinary confections in my mother’s kitchen. Food has become even more of a focus in my adulthood where I am now deep into a full-time graduate program in food studies. Whether I’m touring local food businesses, [...]

Friendsgiving Blessings

Off I go…over the river and through the woods with a picnic basket in tow. With our families scattered throughout the country, a small group of friends decided to host our own Friendsgiving festivities this year. The menu reads like a who’s who list of traditional Thanksgiving fare with each friend contributing a dish or [...]

Cheesy Alexia Fries & Giveaway

The picture above is my favorite way to eat French fries – grilled chicken, smothered in melted cheese and a dollop or two of sour cream for good measure. I had the opportunity dive deep into the world of fries with Alexia Foods “Reinvent a Classic” contest over the summer. For an entire month, my [...]

Cozy Noodles & Rice: Thanks for the Memories…

I opted to take a 12-week food writing course this summer, along with a few other twisted souls, for my graduate degree. The class challenged my writing skills and helped to expand my perspectives about food. Plus, I got to meet several amazing writers, magazine editors, photographers, and chefs who are all focused on the [...]

French Fry Testing – The Final Submission

Click Here to View Slideshow in Flickr A voice in the back of my head told me it’s time to put my pencil down. The testing was now over. For nearly four weeks, I have been experimenting and testing new fry flavors for the Alexia Foods “Reinvent a Classic” challenge. Boy, it sure was a [...]

French Fry Testing – Week 2

The best way to receive nearly immediate feedback when I test recipes is to throw a dinner party. This weekend was no exception. I was toying with three main flavor ideas for the Alexia Foods “Reinvent a Classic” challenge and desperately needed critiques before I moved forward. So I turned to my friends Jimmy and [...]

Up Close & Personal with Berries

The sun emerged in the distant horizon as we huddled in the orchard parking lot. We ate fresh baked scones and sipped morning beverages while a rooster announced the start of another glorious morning. The scones, prepared by my friend Barb, were buttery and flaky with dots of chocolate chips throughout. Barb took a bite [...]

French Fry Testing: Week 1

While I’m no stranger to the crispy and golden world of fries, I honestly had never tried Alexia Foods natural fries until I was invited to participate in their “Reinventing a Classic” challenge. My first week focused on taste testing as many varieties of their fry products as I could handle. This approach is allowing [...]

Reinventing a Classic with Alexia Foods

No matter how they are sliced or seasoned, fries have always been a favorite food group in my life. I remember surviving many late night study sessions with a heaping pile of chili cheese fries shared among friends and washed down with a milkshake. Even as my tastes have matured, my desires have shifted towards [...]

Next Page »