Contributing Writers
Tastebud magazine is proud of the team of local professionals writing articles each month. The helpful information they will pass along is a resource we hope our readers appreciate and learn from. Our goal is for readers to dog-ear the pages, clip the recipes, and tear out articles about places you want to visit. Here are the contributing writers that make tastebud possible:
Jenny Vergara is a full time Foodie and a woman on a quest to develop her palate and herself through cooking, eating, drinking, traveling and writing. She has spent the last 5 years documenting all the restaurants she found along the way in a series of personal restaurant journals she keeps for her own enjoyment. Email her at
tablehopping@gmail.com or keep up with her Foodie adventures at
www.makingafoodie.com.
Nichole Burnett, MS, RD, LD is the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent at the KSU Research & Extension, Johnson County Office. You can contact her at
Nichole.Burnett@jocogov.org.
Maureen Fitzsimmons is an avid cookbook collector with a keen interest for food and cooking. A pharmacist by trade, Maureen utilizes the science and alchemy of ingredients in her cooking as well as the enjoyment of seasonal foods. You can contact her at
reenfitz@gmail.com.
Kelly Gibbens has been in the gourmet food world since 2001. She’s had her own catering company and lived in Spain, where she soaked up delicious regional recipes and worked with wonderful chefs. Kelly’s first and most influential teacher is her mother who expanded her appreciation of food and taught by example how food nourishes the body and soul.
Nancy O' Connor M.S. Ed. is an author, nutrition educator, and cooking instructor. She is the Director of Education and Outreach for Community Mercantile Cooperative Grocery in Lawrence, Kansas. She lives in the country outside Lawrence with her husband and two sons. You can reach Nancy at cmef@themerc.coop.
The American Culinary Federation Greater Kansas City Chefs' Association has a combined membership of over 500 professional chefs, apprentices, and purveyor members, and is one of the largest ACF chapters in the country. Its goal is to make a positive difference for culinarians through education, apprenticeship, and certification, while creating a fraternal bond of respect and integrity among culinarians everywhere.
Erin Reynolds Brown is the pastry chef/owner of Dolce Baking Company in Prairie Village, Kansas. She and her small team produce gourmet, from-scratch pastries daily. The best cinnamon rolls in town, scones, cookies, tarts, cupcakes, special occasion cakes, and wedding cakes are just a few of the treats you will find at Dolce. Contact her at
erin@dolcebakingco.com ~ 913.236.4411 or stop by at 6974 Mission Road, Prairie Village.
Chris Stenger is a an avid homebrewer and a member of both the Kansas City Bier Meisters and The Lawrence Brewers Guild. In addition to craft beer, Chris loves to cook, travel, and hang out with his wife and two dogs. hoptalk@gmail.com
Alan Hagedorn works at Royal Liquors 103rd Street location, where you can join his loyal following. He has certification from both Court of Master Sommelier and the Society of Wine Educators. He can be reached at 816-942-8888. Ger even more great wine advice from Alan from his blog winetheblog.blogspot.com.
Lincoln Broadbooks has been a cheese geek ever since his travels through Europe. As the manager of The Better Cheddar in Prairie Village he is around the food he loves every day. Lincoln has held demonstrations and lectured in the Kansas City area and teaches cheese classes at the Kansas City Culinary Center. Lincoln is also an avid home cheese maker.
You can find contributing writer Paige Unger behind the bar at Extra Virgin. One of the city's best-regarded mixologists, Paige uses fresh, seasonal ingredients to make unique and delicious cocktails.
Alex Pope owns and operates Local Pig, a butcher shop specializing in locally sourced and premium meats, as well as a line of artisan sausages. Visit 2618 Guinotte Ave in KCMO, 10:30-7:30 daily.
www.thelocalpig.com
Lisa Markley is the Healthy Eating Specialist and Culinary Nutritionist at Whole Foods Market on 91st & Metcalf in Overland Park. Lisa gives people practical tools to eat more healthily via cooking classes, shopping tours, and wellness presentations. She can be reached at
lisa.markley@wholefoods.com
Brooke Salvaggio is an urban farmer and food activist. She owns and operates BADSEED, an urban organic farm and market, cleberating local food, culture, and community. Come and taste the fruits of her labor every Friday at the BADSEED Farmers Market in downtown K.C. www.badseedfarm.com
