The author of a noted Mexican cooking book will be in Tampa this month at the behest of a local Mexican restaurant owner. And other food-related news. ...more

January 28, 2009

I love to cook. If my brothers were to remember our childhood, my current cooking skill might come as a shock to them. During my mom's last two pregnancies, I was often asked to cook, as she never felt very well when in the "family way." It seems two of my younger brothers asked Mother, "Can't you teach Rosie how to cook something besides hamburgers and chocolate chip cookies?" At the age of 12, I hadn't yet learned that variety is the spice of life, and that it works well in cooking, too. There were no peas, no carrots, and no salad in my meals - just meat and cookies. At my brothers' request, Mom taught me how to prepare pork chops. I then served pork chops and chocolate chip cookies at every opportunity. I still love pork chops Mom's way - thin, bone-in, floured with garlic and onion powders added, and fried. However, I only eat them occasionally now, instead of at every meal as I wanted to then. ...more

January 21, 2009

"The Necklace," by Cheryl Jarvis (Ballantine Books, $24) ...more

October 26, 2008

If forced to choose my kitchen arsenal for a deserted island vacation, I'd most definitely pack my cleaver, tongs and a wok. ...more

October 10, 2008

"Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient, With Recipes," by Jennifer McLagan (Ten Speed Press, $32.50) ...more

September 3, 2008

The news wires buzzed last week about recently released classified documents that showed culinary icon Julia Child worked as a spy during World War II. ...more

August 20, 2008

TASTES JUST LIKE CHICKEN Kathleen Flinn, author of the book "The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry" and part-time Anna Maria Island resident, is a member of the food writer's portion of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. That makes her privy to new books coming out. She says a recent notification caught her attention. ...more

June 25, 2008