I have a new piece up at The Yale Review: “Who Was the Foodie?” I don’t use this word (as you may have noticed!), but I know it’s unavoidable, and so for this essay, I considered how we might redefine it as a label for those who are both aesthetically and politically interested in what we eat. A lot of my research for “The Food Essay” lectures contributed to how I built out the chronology. I was very excited to be asked to tackle this topic for the magazine, and I learned a lot in the process.

For Foodprint, I wrote about Miyoko Schinner’s The Vegan Creamery and how it democratizes access to significant culinary knowledge.

Best Food Blog interviewed me about leaving Substack, as more and more food writers decide to venture out on their own.

And of course, I must remind folks that I revealed the cover of my next book (On Eating) and provide a long list of places and formats for preordering on my website. Preorders will signal to the publisher that I should be sent on a book tour, which isn’t a given, and I know the people love a book tour!

Last Monday, I shared the “Plant-Based Holiday” conversation featuring Joe Yonan and Philip Khoury. The “Is Cookbook Criticism Possible?” roundtable will be published this coming Monday. You won’t hear from me next Friday because your inboxes will likely already be a mess because of the consumerist extravaganza. I’ll be back in December with the 2026 Desk Book Club picks, my favorite books of the year, and a little stroll through this newsletter’s archives!

Friendly reminders of what’s coming up, including The Food Essay five-week workshop on the history of the essay, the role of the gastronomic essay in popular food conversation, and how to approach four different styles of essay—whether to pitch or self-publish, I’ll help with all of it. You can take it live or asynchronously, and you’ll be able to save the text and video of each lecture.

When: Tuesday, December 2, 10 a.m. EST
Cost: On sale for $150 non-members; $125 members through October 31

In this update of my very popular 2024 workshop, I will discuss leaving Substack; how I have maintained an independent writer newsletter over more than five years; the shifting newsletter landscape; and how a newsletter can be foundational to culture work and a revenue stream while being extremely true to your voice and fit seamlessly into your life. I’ll discuss why I’m launching a new publication and how I’ve established my editorial voice, for this newsletter and beyond. This and the Self-Edit are a great combination for anyone launching a newsletter in the New Year. (And if you know anyone doing so, there is a gift certificate option for early holiday presents…)

When: Tuesdays, from January 13 through February 10, 11 a.m. EST (2026)
Cost: $500 for non-members; $475 for members through November 5
$750; $725 starting January 1

This is an abbreviated version of a class I taught earlier this year in the Boston University gastronomy graduate program. We will discuss the history of the food essay and four specific types of essays: reported, personal, cultural criticism and/or opinion, and recipe. There will be readings for each week, discussion, and optional assignments. There is an add-on that will get you my edits and feedback on your essays. It’s a workshop for anyone who wants to learn how to turn their food research and obsessions into essays that are accessible to the public, as well as anyone who wants to confidently tell stories through food.

Select a time and date for a dedicated hour of conversation on any questions you have about editorial or newsletter strategy; book proposals; or creating a platform for your work as a writer that will be tantalizing to publishers (without losing your soul in the process). I’m also happy to look at and edit writing for these sessions. There is an option for ongoing conversation for anyone wanting to work on their writing or newsletters together over a longer period of time.

Cost: $250 for the initial hour for non-members; $175 for members
Ongoing sessions are $150; $105 for members