A last-minute, 24-hour turnaround assignment, I really think I exceeded even my own expectations while writing this restaurant review. Somehow managing to write clearly, cognizantly, and stylishly into the wee hours, accompanied by margarita-befuddled thoughts, this piece shows all the passion and love I have for the subject as I jumped back into my specialty in a new region. (more…)

Written as a human interest feature story, this article was quickly promoted to the cover spot of regional weekly magazine Long Island Press after the first draft was reviewed, resulting in my being awarded more words and relatively free rein. A deeply personal piece that readers called “immensely powerful” and “moving,” this fair but stark portrayal of one of the area’s most invisible minorities and their lifestyle was actually very difficult to write, due to the closeness of the subject — but consequently is one of my best works. (more…)

This advertorial for New Orleans’ premier society glossy, St. Charles Avenue, was one that hit close to home. Having done research on suitable places for pets to stay on a personal level, it felt great to be able to share my findings with other who might need that information when it comes to their four-legged family. (more…)

A high-end, brand focused luxury lifestyle feature published by New Orleans Bride magazine, this article broke down the the importance of fragrance in terms of evoking memory, the historical background and basic — though obscure — facts about perfume-making, the main categories of scent, and recommendations in each group. Research and top choices were conducted and selected by interviewing sales professionals, consulting reference material, and through intensive … smelling, for lack of a better word! (more…)

This full-length interview graced the cover of the Spring Restaurant Guide edition of Where Y’at magazine in 2009, delving into the American dream and one family’s success in achieving it. By asking smart and well thought out questions about the Drago’s Restaurant family’s past, present, and future, I was able to encourage a natural flow of conversation and transfer onto paper the personalities and the heart of the people behind “New Orleans’ Best Single Bite.” (more…)

Given the assignment to write a piece about light Lent-friendly cooking, I used this recipe-heavy feature to spin a topic on its head by reintroducing Lent as a season for inspiration rather than deprivation. (more…)

This luxury-focused feature story was a labor of love, having carried it from pitch to proof to print. I left virtually no stone unturned, making personal visits to every great spa of note and local neighborhood gems to research the availability of private spa parties and interviewing proprietors to ensure the accuracy of the article. Using my best judgment and my editor’s favorites, I was able to populate my Writer’s Picks sidebar with professionalism and without bias.  (more…)

A food feature and headlining article for Where Y’at’s quarterly Restaurant Guide, this tabloid-sized two-page profiled every restaurant in the city of New Orleans with the designation “steakhouse.” Using lush descriptions to highlight each establishment’s claim to fame and including notes on price point and suitable occasions,  this article has become a reference for where to go for red meat. (more…)

Playful use of traffic light hues and signals in relation to 2009’s health, beauty, and wellness trends and predictions make this well-researched advertorial for the first issue of the revamped society glossy St. Charles Avenue read like the feature piece it was meant to be. Promotions were subtle, and ties between all three categories emerged clearly even if the true connection was a weak one. The kicker? This assignment was doled out with a two week turnaround request, including the time needed to get in touch with the vendor/sources. With persistence and late nights, I raced the clock and won again. (more…)

A feature article for Louisiana Cookin’ magazine highlighting heart-healthy Creole, a strict style guide was used to format the well-researched article and edit the recipes collected from my high-profile sources. A quote from this spread was used for the Table of Contents page of the February 2009 issue, and it was listed as the first feature story for that month. (more…)

This feature-length cover story for the seasonal restaurant guide edition for Where Y’at magazine profiles and reviews last course/dessert offerings at some of the city’s finest culinary destinations. Photo credits were also received.

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A regular monthly column for Where Y’at magazine, news blasts, press releases, and direct source data is incorporated into short information-dense but fluidly flowing paragraphs that “discuss dishes, deals, and doings” in New Orleans’ food world. Changing the style from what used to be referred to as “regurgitated press releases,” I introduced a familiar, chatty, conversational tone with elements of humor, irreverence, and of course, my trademark effervescence. (more…)

An interview incorporated into a feature article, this piece announces the opening of a new museum with commentary from the founder.  (more…)

Highlighting a traveling Chinese martial arts and acrobatic troupe, this entertainment piece for an online news source includes background information on the group and describes their exciting performances. (more…)

As this successful travel site’s Local Expert, it was my job to write up-to-date, hyperlinked, SEO-friendly blog posts and bar/restaurant reviews in a concise but friendly voice, posting multiple entries per week and scheduling and managing new posts. (more…)

An introductory post for a travel and destination web site, this was written in the style of an editor’s note and explores the powerful association a scent can have and its meaning to a previously devastated city. (more…)

Written for New Orleans Secondline News, this restaurant review discusses winning dishes at Upperline and includes insights from the founder, including thoughts on hitting their quarter-century anniversary. (more…)

An extremely personal, poignant essay, this particular piece digs deep into childhood memories and the powerful psychological associations formed during pivotal points of one’s life. “The Significance of Soup” was a particularly difficult work for me to write due to the intimacy of the subject, but one very close to my heart for the same reason; it allowed me, for the first time, to tap into the unconventional relationship I have with my father and food. (more…)

To stay connected to their offices across the ponds (the Netherlands, Malta, New York) and lands (Los Angeles), MediaCatalyst. maintained a clever, bloggy, dishy internal e-newsletter–suitably dubbed “The Monthly Dish”– to keep everyone in the know. An intelligent but intimate tone with a lot of imagination and attitude had been established, and I made sure New York matched wits with each issue. (more…)