Byline

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For all Toronto Star Wheels content including "Why I Love My Vehicle" (Aug 2021 - Sept 2022), please see the associated link.

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The Lure of Lima (2024, Oct 26)

• Top world chef Pia Leon gives her recommendations for Lima. From places for casual bites with the family to go-to spaces to shop, these are the recommendations to check out in addition to meals at the ground-breaking creative and delicious spaces she operates. The Lure of Lima (print)/Peru, Lima, is having a moment. One of the city’s top tastemakers crafts an in-the-know itinerary (online).

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The (New) New Nordic Scene (2024, March 16)

• I get to wax poetic about one of my favourite dining cities and the delicious and exciting flavours coming from many of its top kitchens. It's both an ode and a love letter, as well as a promise I'll be heading back as soon as I can. The (New) New Nordic Scene (print)/There’s more to Copenhagen dining than Noma. I visited the city to taste the (new) New Nordic scene (online).

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Explore the Adirondacks the easy way (2022, Aug 6)

• I spend 3 short days in upper New York state exploring the great outdoors in modern comfort and convenience and wrote a story about how solo travellers can do so with ease. Explore the Adirondacks the easy way (print)/How to explore the Adirondacks the easier way: These new glamping grounds offer access to nature adventures — and a comfy place to sleep (online)

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An unexpected taste of Tahiti (2022, May 07)

• While visiting French Polynesia, I learn about the history and culture of the Chinese diaspora that has become an integral part of Tahitian society. An unexpected taste of Tahiti (print)/A taste of Tahiti: On the islands, I discover a surprising fusion of flavours and an unexpected Chinese influence (online)

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Ours to Discover: Finding the spirit of the season (2021, Dec 4)

• Written for the Wheels section this local travel feature highlights five Christmas Markets around the GTA that are worth the trek. Finding the spirit of the season(print)/Ours to Discover: Finding the spirit of the season (online)

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Sunny’s Chinese was just named Canada’s ‘best takeout.’ Now the chefs have a swanky, new Toronto restaurant ​(2021, Nov 11)

• A profile of the team behind pandemic sensation Sunny's Chinese and newly opened Mimi Chinese. The team opens swanky Yorkville restaurant (print)/Sunny’s Chinese was just named Canada’s ‘best takeout.’ Now the chefs have a swanky, new Toronto restaurant (online)

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Take a big bite out of Antwerp (2021, Nov 6)

• I travelled to Antwerp to attend the World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards but while there had to explore the unofficial capital of Flemish Belgium and discovered a number of gems - not just the diamond kind - while there. Take a big bite out of Antwerp (print)/Take a big bite out of Antwerp: Where to eat, shop and explore in Belgium’s cool second city (online)

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Niagara as much about food as the falls (2021, Oct 9)

• Niagara Falls might be known for many things, but maybe not so much for its culinary scene. Heading off-strip I find a number of noteworthy places that are worth the attention. Niagara as much about food as the falls (print)/The foodie’s guide to Niagara Falls: where to find the culinary gems in Ontario’s tourist town (online)

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Occitanie for gourmands: Find more-for-less indulgence in southwestern France (2021, September 18)

• Reentering the world of food travel writing, my eyes are open to all the possibilities, richness, history and hospitality from a region in France that seems under-appreciated although it's known for its wine and beaches. Read more about it in Occitanie for gourmands: Find more-for-less indulgence in southwestern France (print)/Occitanie for gourmands: The surprisingly underappreciated region is a food obsessive’s dream (online)

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How three Parisian expats opened Toronto’s dreamiest new restaurant — with a sister space opening just in time for summer (2021, June 24)

• What do you get when the first Barman MOF, Sommelier MOF and chef for the President of France decided to call Toronto home? I get to profile this fantastic and incredibly talented trio as they plan the opening a second space. From Paris to Toronto mid-pandemic (print)/How three Parisian expats opened Toronto’s dreamiest new restaurant — with a sister space opening just in time for summer (online)

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What are the best patios in Toronto? We asked seven Toronto tastemakers to share their favourite outdoor dining spots (2021, June 17)

• With patios open and the city excited about supporting their favourite spots, I ask Julie Marteleira, Suzanne Barr, Victor Barry, Mary Berg, Diala Canelo, Cynthia Leung & Craig Wong about theirs. Torontonians can dine al fresco - at last (print)/What are the best patios in Toronto? We asked seven Toronto tastemakers to share their favourite outdoor dining spots (online)

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The seven Canadian cheeses you need to try, according to Toronto’s most famous connoisseur (2021, June 10)

• Cheese Boutique's affable and gregarious owner/cheesemonger, and youngest Maitre Fromage in the world, Afrim Pristine, has a new docuseries out (Cheese: A Love Story) on Food Network Canada. We chat about the experience but also those useful takeaways for cheese lovers and aficionados to get the most out of their experience. Local faves from Canada's only Maitre fromager (print)/The seven Canadian cheeses you need to try, according to Toronto’s most famous connoisseur (online)

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Take your vehicle on a journey to the stars (2021, March 27)

• Written for the Wheels section this travel feature looks at how to safely explore the night sky - a family-friendly and socially distance-friendly activity - with notes from members of the RASC and dark sky preserves across Ontario (near the GTA). A journey to the stars (print)/Take your vehicle on a journey to the stars (online)

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New chef-driven Toronto food hall looks to shake up culinary landscape (2017, October 25)

• An exclusive reveal of The Assembly, a chef-driven food hall opening up in downtown Toronto's core. Toronto chefs, assemble! (print)/New chef-driven Toronto food hall looks to shake up culinary landscape (online)

 

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten ‘just warming up’ at 60 (2017, October 3)

• I had the distinct pleasure of getting to spend an entire day with one of the world’s most celebrated chefs, dine at his restaurant, Dune at the One&Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas, learn about the incredible products he uses and his great suppliers, plus interview him for this feature in the Star Travel section. Available in three formats: (Star Touch)/World-celebrated chef 'just warming up' at 60 (print)/Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten ‘just warming up’ at 60 (online)

 

The new Miami moves well beyond the beach (2017, September 23)

• I had the pleasure of heading down to Florida to check out a new property/hot spot in Miami. While there, I explored the changing city's rapidly modernizing and developing cultural scene, including impressive city-within-a-city developments (and understand how what the past, and present growth means from local residents and longtime snowbirds). It a changing Miami that's not just beaches. Available in three formats: (Star Touch)/Miami moves beyond the beach (print)/The new Miami moves well beyond the beach (online)

 

You’ll never need to leave this hotel’s complex in Miami (2017, September 23)

• EAST, Miami sets the benchmark with hotel comforts while meeting urban lifestyle needs with a gym, bars, restaurants, shops, art exhibits and workspaces. The print version showed only highlights, but you can find the detailed version online: (Star Touch)/No need to leave this Miami hot spot (print)/You’ll never need to leave this hotel’s complex in Miami (online)

 

6 things to do in Chile’s Elqui Valley (2017, September 9)

• From mystics to Mistral, extraordinary to extraterrestrial, here are six reasons why the Elqui valley is hot hot hot (hello solar cuisine).

 

Why wine lovers should visit Chile now (2017, August 26)

• Chile might be known for cheap and cheerful wines, but on this assignment I had the distinct pleasure of learning, and tasting, some of the best. Not only did I experience the kind hospitality of a beautiful country with distinct landscapes, but I also met a new crop of Chilean winemakers who are creating an enviable fine wine industry that’s ripe for oenotourism which I share in this story. Available in three formats: (Star Touch)/Tiny winemakers drive Chile's emerging market (print)/Why wine lovers should visit Chile now (online)

 

Revamped One & Only Ocean Club resort packs in amenities (2017, August 26)

• I had the distinct pleasure of travelling to The Bahamas to interview the one and only Jean-Georges Vongerichten and experience the One & Only Ocean Club post-Hurricane Matthew. The experience was pretty extraordinary, not to mention an incredible resort. This anchored scroll highlighted every Bond, Beatle, and personal butler perk a guest can experience while on the stunning property. Available in three formats: (Star Touch)/Revamped Resort packs in amenities (print)/Revamped One & Only Ocean Club resort packs in amenities (online)

 

Montreal’s food scene serves tastes of the past and present (2017, May 27)

• My latest piece in the Toronto Star Travel reveals how the culinary capital's tried-and-true eateries, such as St.-Viateur Bagel and Wilensky’s Light Lunch, can co-exist with headliners such as L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. And how they all contribute to or draw from the province and city’s delicious identity. Available in three formats: (Star Touch)/Tastes of the past, present pair nicely (print)/Montreal’s food scene serves tastes of the past and present (online)

 

Eating with Thailand’s first culinary ambassador, Pok Pok chef-owner Andy Ricker (2017, April 18)

• Back in November 2016, I had the great opportunity to return to Thailand (my third visit in six months), specifically for the food. This is a story on a culinary trek through Thailand’s varied regions with the country’s first culinary ambassador, Andy Ricker, chef-owner of PokPok in Portland and Brooklyn. We started in Bangkok, but travelled throughout the region, heading to Tak (where we participated in Loi Krathong), then Chiang Mai (the main focus of this story), to charming Khon Kaen, before wrapping up in Phuket. Every town travelled had new flavour sensations; every city visited we met friendly faces with incredible hospitality. Available in three formats: (Star Touch)/Eating with Thailand’s first culinary ambassador (print)/Eating with Thailand’s first culinary ambassador, Pok Pok chef-owner Andy Ricker (online)

 

8 foods you must try in Thailand (2017, April 18)

• From baked taro custard to funky fermented fish, these Thai flavours will reward anyone willing to test their tastebuds. Available in three formats: (Star Touch)/Thailand's Must-Eat Foods (print)/8 foods you must try in Thailand (online)

 

Hong Kong food and craft artisans struggle to reclaim disappearing traditions (2017, April 5)

• This is a personal story about Hong Kong - a place where I grew up and shaped some of my formative years - where I searched for flavours of my youth. The results and findings related to the disappearing food scene and craft artisans were shared in three formats: (Star Touch)/Fighting to keep artisanal traditions alive (print)/Hong Kong food and craft artisans struggle to reclaim disappearing traditions (online)

 

Wine and dining in contemporary Hong Kong (2017, March 1)

• My story and photography for Toronto Star Travel on the contemporary dining scene - the one that's recognized on the international stage and not stereotypically depicted by Hollywood - in Hong Kong. The story, in three formats: Wine and dining in Hong Kong (Star Touch)/Wine & dining in today's Hong Kong (print)/Wine and dining in contemporary Hong Kong (online).

 

6 places in Hong Kong to explore like a local (2017, March 1)

• The accompanying anchored scroll to the contemporary Hong Kong dining scene story that features relatively unknown activities (green space, beach life, island day trips and more) that can be experienced in the islands. Most of the photography are to my credit. 

 

Wine theme park uncorks interactive exhibits and experiences (2016, December 3)

• My story and photography for Toronto Star Travel on Bordeaux's new wine theme park  La Cité du Vin - a living heritage to wine, and the scrumptious chateaus in the region. The story, in three formats: A Shrine to Wine in Bordeaux (Star Touch)/A Shrine to Wine (print)/Wine theme park uncorks interactive exhibits and experiences (online).  

 

6 specialties from Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s Dordogne (2016, December 3)

• The accompanying anchored scroll to the La Cité du Vin story that features all the delicious - and most of them surprising to me (I didn't know they all originated in Dordogne) - finds from Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Most of the photography are to my credit. 

 

Why San Francisco’s culinary scene is a diner’s paradise (2016, December 1)

• My story and photography for Toronto Star Travel on the cool, uber delicious and enviable food scene in San Francisco. For this piece, I had the chance to speak to those who are currently shaping the culinary landscape (including those whose cooking I've admired from previous personal visits/meals). The story, in three formats: (Star Touch)/A diner's paradise (print)/Why San Francisco’s culinary scene is a diner’s paradise (online).  

 

10 ways to enjoy San Francisco (2016, December 1)

• The accompanying anchored scroll to the San Francisco food story, aka fun things to do when not feasting. Most of the photography are to my credit. 10 ways to enjoy the city by the Bay (Star Touch) 

 

Finding renewal through Thai wellness  (2016, November 24)

• My story and photography for Toronto Star Travel on the multifaceted wellness industry in Bangkok, Chiang Rai and Koh Samui, in three formats: A Refreshing Thai Retreat - With a Kick (Star Touch)/Finding Renewal (print)/Finding renewal through Thai wellness (online). Best experienced via Star Touch.

 

Ethics embrace elephant tourism in Thailand (2016, November 24)

• A secondary story (online only) on the challenges faced with one of the country's well-known industries, and how certain groups are using alternative methods to educate an ethical form of ecotourism.  

Delicious Dubai is hungry for growth (2016, May 14)

• My story and photography for Toronto Star Travel on this budding culinary centre, in three formats:
  The Rise of Dining in Dubai (Star Touch)/A Culinary Oasis (print)/Delicious Dubai is Hungry for Growth (online). Best experienced via Star Touch.   

 

7 experiences that are strictly Dubai (2016, May 14)

• The accompanying anchored scroll to the Dubai main story. Most of the photography are to my credit. Best experienced via Star Touch.   

 

Pataki, A. Toronto chefs bring higher education to the kitchen (2012, December 26)

• Photography credit