Welcome To Plate Up Pen Down

Welcome! I thought I'd start by giving you a little insight into what inspired me to start this blog. I am not a chef, I’m just a gal who likes to eat. Following recipes step by step is cool, but for me, the real fun comes with experimentation and tweaking recipes as I go. Every now and then, I like to attempt to make dishes that are a little more complex but for the most part, I like simple meals that are full of flavor. So if you’re a novice in the kitchen, never fear: there’s something for you here.
 

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As far as dining out, I love trying new restaurants (especially seafood restaurants) and I typically order dishes I wouldn’t normally make at home. But I also have my simple, guilty pleasures that I’m willing to splurge on (I have a weakness for great mac and cheese). After all, sometimes food just tastes better when someone else makes it for you. I enjoy cuisines from all over the world, but I have a soft spot for great Italian food (a year abroad in Italy will do that to you) and an affinity for seafood.

Although this blog is a new venture, when it comes to writing about food, this ain't my first rodeo. My first gig out of college was an internship at a now-defunct publication called Italian Cooking & Living Magazine. It was a small publication, so I was able to get a lot of hands-on experience. I worked in the editorial department, writing and editing short features and translating recipes from Italian to English. The magazine also employed several freelance writers based in Italy, so I was also in charge of translating their articles into English. It was a great experience and I really do miss writing about food.

 

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^ I wrote that!

^ I wrote that!

I like to think of eating well as a lifestyle. While the term "food lover" may sound silly or obvious to some, there is a difference between being a foodie/food lover and just casually enjoying food as sustenance. It's like being able to admire a beautiful work of art, versus really appreciating the amount of skill it requires to create it and all the effort and detail that goes into the process. Food is such an integral part of our lives and so many of my fondest memories have been made surrounded by good food and loved ones. This blog is my love letter to great food: life truly wouldn't be the same without it. Happy Reading!