Good morning everyone. Today’s special guest is the Senior Food Editor at @MNMOmag, @DearDara. Set your timer to 1hr and lets begin.
Dara: let’s!
So @DearDara, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up, go to school and what did you want to be as an adult?
Dara: NYC, math-geek high school, and then came to MN for college, Carleton. Wanted to be: A writer! A cook. A writer! A cook…
How did you get into the food industry, and what kind of jobs did you have at first?
Dara: Dishwasher! Started when I was 13, then worked my way up thru kitchen positions, ending as a sous & pastry (2 places)
I see. So when did you start transitioning to writing about food and restaurants? Did you have a blog?
Dara: After college. & no, print, pre-blogging days…
Since critiquing people and the food that they make is such a personal thing, did you find it difficult at first to do?
Dara: At first, yes. It’s rude to say people can’t cook! Six months of bad linguini in, it gets easier.
When then did you start working with @MNMOmag and what do your responsibilities cover?
Dara: 2008, food & wine writing.
I can imagine that you eat and taste a variety of foods. Do you have a style or ethnicity of food that you prefer?
Dara: I like just about everything, really, hard to beat great Korean, French, Japanese, Italian… But a talented chef can
make anything great, ie Haute Dish’s revelatory 1980’s Midwest Americana.
In addition to all of the KINDS of food that you try, you probably eat/taste a lot of food. Is calorie counting tough?
Dara: Not really-no problem w the wine either, neither gout nor hazleden seem to be on my horizon… Knock wood!!
Good! :) In addition to @MNMOmag, what other kind of publications and writing have you done or would you like to do?
Dara: my book is Drink This, Wine Made Simple, & I write for Saveur, Bon Appetit, more.
Impressive! Besides food & wine, what other interests or hobbies do you get involved in? More book ideas on the way?
Dara: I like hiking, walking, having children, and not going crazy. Museums & books help.
have another book in the works, but it’s top secret for now.
To close, what TC food events and openings are you looking forward to in 2012?
Dara: So many! Just blogged a bunch at mnmo.com, but our food & wine show, chef challenge, butcher & boar..Thanks! Was fun!
Joel: Thanks for your time and sharing some of your life on #MNMOtv today. Be sure to read her work at www.mnmo.com. Later!