About
I enjoy food exploration and combining farm-style cooking with urban flavors. I sometimes dream of leaving the city life and returning to our family farm in Michigan where I learned how to cook, raise produce and livestock, butcher our own meat, forage for nuts and wild mushrooms, and to preserve foods for the year ahead.
My education includes a BA in Creative Writing and an MLS in Information Science. My career started in the internet industry where I’ve worked the leading auction marketplace (yes, that one) and a search engine (no, not that one). In 2009, I traded in Silicon Valley California for Vancouver BC and I am enjoying the change of pace, although I travel frequently between both countries.
Want to hire me?
I am a freelance writer seeking writing opportunities, from food columns to feature articles. Please contact me to discuss opportunities: allen [at] eatingoutloud [dot] com
Recent photo feature:
Washington Post, September 2, 2009 (section E1,E6)
Grape & Walnut Focaccia photo on front of Food section [print edition]
Casatiello photo included in the article [web edition]
Published writing:
The Washington Post – ‘EDF Realization: Size Doesn’t Matter’
Chefs.com – ‘Paradise Found: Granville Island Public Market’
Chicago Sun-Times – ‘Turkish Sweet Potato & Apricot Rolls’
Chicago Sun-Times – ‘An Alternative Pumpkin Pie’
The Herald News – ‘Picnic Precautions & Food Safety’
Southtown Star – ‘How to Naturally Dye Easter Eggs’
Paper Palate – ‘Exploring Ethnic French Cooking’
Just Baking – ‘Hazelnut Flour Power’
TheFind.com – ‘Mother’s Day Gift Guide’
Press mentions:
Saveur – ‘Best of the Web: Watermelon Mint Popsicles’
Food Network Canada – ‘Eye Candy: Ice Cream Shots’
The Kitchn – ‘Great Summer Meal: Homemade Vietnamese Spring Rolls’
The Kitchn – ‘Delicious Links’
Tipnut.com – ‘55 Homemade Popsicle Recipes’
Serious Eats – ‘Blogwatch: Chinese Braised Ribs’
Slashfood – ‘Watermelon Week at Eating Out Loud’
The Kitchn – ‘Spaetzle for Breakfast’
The Kitchn – ‘Delicious Links’
Currently freelancing at:
Feature Writer – Reality TV, Suite101
http://realitytv.suite101.com/
Background
After receiving BA (creative writing) and MLS degrees, my career focused on internet product management. I started Eating Out Loud in early 2007 as a creative outlet for writing and sharing my kitchen experiences, blending the recipes from the farm where I grew up with modern flavors found in the urban center I now call home.
When I’m not exploring new flavors, I’m usually reworking family recipes (and creating a few new ones of my own). And, I’m becoming increasingly obsessed with rediscovering and reliving old, handwritten recipes. My collection includes several hundred recipes.
Ok, some more about Allen …
I am the creative type. In addition to cooking and baking, I enjoy making ‘things’ and more importantly, enjoy *learning* how to make things. It’s often said that I can’t stick with any particular hobby, well — it’s mostly true. I enjoy the pursuit of learning many different arts and crafts, it’s all about the journey. Here are a few of my creative outlets from over the years …
Sous Chef & Cleaning Staff
In our household, you’ll often hear me referring to Joe (Sous Chef) and Bobby (Cleaning Staff). These two guys keep the kitchen running smoothly while I fuss over boiling pots and accidentally knock dirty spoons off the counter and onto the floor. They also patiently wait for dinner while I photograph it. In the past 2 years, we’ve rarely eaten a piping hot meal — it’s always lukewarm, at best.
Thank you for visiting! I hope you enjoy reading my site and learning more about what I’m making in my kitchen. I welcome your feedback at any time.
–Allen
allen [at] eatingoutloud [dot] com
Vancouver, BC Canada
