I've actually been writing about food and drink for 15 1/2 years, as I wrote for another blog, Real World Winers (since defunct), for 1 1/2 years before I started The Passionate Foodie.
Because of the pandemic, this past year has been very challenging. Restaurants had to close for a time, and some never reopened, while those that did reopen had to adjust to numerous restrictions. Large food and drink events, such as the Seafood Expo, were canceled. However, the most unfortunate aspect has been the deaths of over 500,000 people from Covid. We have all been touched by this tragedy, and hopefully we are now moving in a positive direction, with vaccinations helping to protect us.
During the past 14 years of The Passionate Foodie, I've learned so much about food & drinks, exploring a wide variety of topics, essentially anything I can eat or drink. I never wanted to limit my writing to a specific cuisine, type of drink, or other specialty. I want the freedom to explore whatever perks my interest and I know I'll never run out of subject matter. Every time I learn something new, I realize how much more there is to learn. That is one of my favorite aspects and it helps that I'm a voracious reader and love to research new topics.
My blog has provided me a myriad of wonderful opportunities and experiences, creating a vast storehouse of fantastic memories. I've sampled so much excellent and exciting food and drink, in this country and others. I've gotten to travel to some amazing destinations, including Canada, Croatia, France (Bordeaux and Champagne), Spain (Sherry region), Italy (Tuscany & Collio), Portugal (Douro region), Argentina and Chile. In the United States, I've visited a number of states, including California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, and more.
I've met so many interesting people, which has enhanced my experiences as I've long said that food and drink when shared is even better. Some of those people have become very close friends, and I think those friendships will last for many years to come. It has been fascinating to meet numerous wine makers, distillers, brewers, wine & liquor store owners, importers, distributors, restaurant owners, chefs, and much more. From each, I've learned something new, which has helped my writing and understanding.
During these fourteen years, what began as a hobby transformed into my profession. I'm now a freelance writer, having been published in a number of magazines and newspapers. For over a year, I've been writing a column for Sampan, a bilingual Chinese-English newspaper in New England, and have written over 20 articles for them. I'm also a Sake educator and consultant, working for a variety of clients, from restaurants to distributors, conducting Sake classes, tastings, dinners and more.
It has been my pleasure to try to showcase and promote under-appreciated and/or lesser known wines, spirits and other drinks, such as Sake, Sherry, Franciacorta, Croatian Wines, Greek Wines, Georgian Wines, Uruguayan Wines, Portuguese Wines, Mezcal, Baijiu and more. I've championed many of these underdogs, all which are worthy beverages deserving of much more attention by consumers as well as other writers. We all need to expand our palates and seek out the liquid wonders that can be found all around the world.
Within the last few years, I've dedicated much time to researching and writing numerous historical articles about food and drink, and I'm especially proud of these articles, many breaking new ground in our understanding of certain topics. Some of these articles during the past year include:
If I didn't thoroughly enjoy what I've been doing, then it would have ended years ago. I find it fulfilling and satisfying, and hope that my passion for food, drink and writing never dims. I look forward to celebrating my 15th anniversary next year, and I hope my readers keep reading me year after year.
It's time to celebrate!
My blog has provided me a myriad of wonderful opportunities and experiences, creating a vast storehouse of fantastic memories. I've sampled so much excellent and exciting food and drink, in this country and others. I've gotten to travel to some amazing destinations, including Canada, Croatia, France (Bordeaux and Champagne), Spain (Sherry region), Italy (Tuscany & Collio), Portugal (Douro region), Argentina and Chile. In the United States, I've visited a number of states, including California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, and more.
I've met so many interesting people, which has enhanced my experiences as I've long said that food and drink when shared is even better. Some of those people have become very close friends, and I think those friendships will last for many years to come. It has been fascinating to meet numerous wine makers, distillers, brewers, wine & liquor store owners, importers, distributors, restaurant owners, chefs, and much more. From each, I've learned something new, which has helped my writing and understanding.
It has been my pleasure to try to showcase and promote under-appreciated and/or lesser known wines, spirits and other drinks, such as Sake, Sherry, Franciacorta, Croatian Wines, Greek Wines, Georgian Wines, Uruguayan Wines, Portuguese Wines, Mezcal, Baijiu and more. I've championed many of these underdogs, all which are worthy beverages deserving of much more attention by consumers as well as other writers. We all need to expand our palates and seek out the liquid wonders that can be found all around the world.
- Historical Tidbits About Shochu in the U.S.
- A History of the Sherry Cobbler (19th century)
- A History of the Sherry Cobbler (Early 20th century)
- The First Restaurants in Boston's Chinatown: A Deeper Look into Two Restaurants (Part 8)
- Chinatown, Little Syria and Its Restaurants
- Closed For Nearly 50 Years: A History of the Sahara Syrian Restaurant
- The Nile: "The Most Famous Syrian Restaurant This Side of the Pyramids"
- Peking Duck: A History in the Local Region & Chinatown
- Early History of Greek Restaurants in Boston
- Pastitsio: A Short History of a Greek Classic
- The Origin of Chinese Duck Sauce: Did Boston "Invent" It?
- The First Vietnamese Restaurants in the U.S.
- A Historic Look A Chinese New Year in Boston (1870-1890)
- Origins of the Hamburger: The First 20 Years (Part 1)
- Origins of the Hamburger: The Sandwich Appears (Part 2)
- The Origin of Salisbury Steak: The Hot Water Cure & Meat Diet
- The Origin of Jimmies aka Chocolate Sprinkles
- A Short History of Peruvian Restaurants & Chifa in the U.S.
If I didn't thoroughly enjoy what I've been doing, then it would have ended years ago. I find it fulfilling and satisfying, and hope that my passion for food, drink and writing never dims. I look forward to celebrating my 15th anniversary next year, and I hope my readers keep reading me year after year.
If you've enjoyed my articles during the past year, or more, please consider Donating to me, so that I can continue to provide interesting content. My largest expense is the cost of the resource sites that I use, especially newspaper archives, allowing me access to fascinating information which provides the background for my historical articles. Donations also allow me to continue operating this blog without any advertising. I appreciate any and all of your contributions.
It's time to celebrate!
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