I'm the author of Tasting Club (DK, 2006) and Williams-Sonoma; New Flavors for Salads (Oxmoor House, 2009), as well as the "Taste Test" columnist for Everyday with Rachael Ray Magazine. I've also written articles or developed recipes for 17 other publications, including Cooking Light, Fine Cooking, Coastal Living, Bon Appétit, Plenty, iVillage, Cottages & Gardens, and The Huffington Post.

An enthusiastic public speaker, I've conducted over 45 tastings (usually of chocolate) and talks nationwide, and--previously--taught over 100 cooking classes through my (former) culinary instruction business, Cooking by Heart.

Over 115 media outlets have covered my work. Just a few include Redbook, Real Simple, Every Day with Rachael Ray, The New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Post, "Fox" News in Boston and New York, and NPR.

Before embarking on my career in writing and teaching, I graduated from Columbia College, Columbia University (Anthropology/English Literature) and the Institute of Culinary Education Career program.

I live in Connecticut with my husband, two young sons, and lots of chocolates, teas, and spices.