realfoodtraveler.com

Who Writes for Realfoodtraveler?

People like you. Our contributors include professional travel and food writers and photographers who travel the world to bring you stories about unique places and fabulous food. We also welcome people who don’t consider themselves professional writers/photographers, but who have a passion for travel and for regional foods.

If you’re interested in joining our growing community of RFT Contributors, check out our Writer’s Guidelines and send us an email.

Christopher Hall

San Francisco freelance journalist Christopher Hall reports on food, art, architecture, travel and other cultural topics. His work has appeared in many US publications, including the New York Times, Smithsonian, Architectural Digest, National Geographic Traveler and Saveur.

 

Nancy Zaffaro

Nancy Zaffaro is a Portland, Oregon writer and artist. She enjoys travel, writing, good food and drink, cooking, yoga, kayaking, and photography. She’s a managing partner of a telecom construction company, has also published some fiction and poetry, and worked as an editor, writer, journalist, and web mistress. She has sold her art and crafts at art festivals and in stores throughout the West Coast. She is currently at work on a novel, tentatively titled, Eggplant Peddlers and Pierced Baristas.

 

Jeffery Thomas

World traveler Jeffery Thomas has taught East Asian and World History at Clark College since 1999. Among other destinations in Europe and Asia, he travels frequently to Singapore, one of the world’s great food capitals. Living in Portland, Oregon has also greatly enhanced his food and beverage experiences. Jeffery is currently working on a scholarly article titled “Armchair Adventure and the American Way of Empire”, focused on the science fiction of Edgar Rice Burroughs from the 1920s.  In the picture here, he’s enjoying a meal with his daughter, Eco, at a sidewalk cafe in Prague, Czech Republic.

Andrea Woroch

Andrea Woroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. She has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

 

Jackie and Joel Smith

Jackie and Joel Smith left their 8-to-5 professional lives behind them more than a dozen years ago to pursue their life’s passion: travel. Currently, they spend more than four months a year living out of their suitcases as they travel the globe. Food and drink plays prominently in their explorations. Jackie is a freelance travel writer whose articles have appeared in several Northwest publications, including The Seattle Times and the Oregonian. When not on the road, the duo is based in Kirkland, Washington. You’ll find tips and tales about people and places they’ve discovered in their travel blog www.TravelnWrite.com.

Richard Powell

Richard Powell is a journalism graduate who started a Public Relations company after leaving BBC News. As a freelance reporter, he provided correspondence from Kosovo, Northern Iraq, Sudan, Liberia and Beirut, but now concentrates on Travel writing and Reportage. His company, Presswire, provides Press Release Distribution and Media Monitoring services.

 

Teresa Bergen

Teresa Bergen is a freelancer who lives in Portland, Oregon. Her travel articles have appeared in India Currents, Yogi Times, The Circumference, Examiner.com and the Catholic Travel Guide. She’s the author of Vegetarian Asia Travel Guide.

 

Debi Lander

Debi Lander is a freelance journalist and photographer specializing in travel, food and lifestyle. She currently calls St. Augustine, Florida home, but frequently follows an unrelenting desire to get away and explore. While on the road, she enjoys tasting local cuisine from hole-in-the-wall eateries to fine dining and wine establishments.

Debi is a member of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association and Society of American Travel Writers. Her website, www.bylandersea.com, features published stories from her global adventures and a link to her travel journal: The Luggage Diaries.

Her food blog, Bylandersea-Food Tales, offers restaurant, product, and cookbook reviews as well as recipe triumphs and failures in her own kitchen.

Elizabeth Fagin

Elizabeth Fagin has been an educator and a writer for more than 20 years.  She enjoys reading, travel and adventure. And she thinks all of those go better with a nice glass of wine.

 

Michael Fagin

Michael Fagin is a freelance travel writer who has traveled over the last 10 years across Canada and visited all the major Canadian wine regions. Mike is currently touring the Pacific Northwest enjoying the wine country, dining, and hiking. While he is not writing, Mike is a meteorologist for West Coast Weather, LLC, forecasting weather for the West Coast of the U.S. as well internationally.

 

Dr.  Jay M. Lipoff, CFT

Dr. Jay M. Lipoff, CFT, (www.backatyourbest.com) has been a private practice chiropractor since 1994, and is a certified fitness trainer. A nationally recognized expert in spinal injury prevention, he has taught at universities, lectured before professional audiences, and appeared on national radio and TV with his messages on health and injury prevention. His new book is Back at Your Best: Balancing the Demands of Life with the Needs of Your Body

 

Sherry Laskin

Sherry Laskin fell in love with cruising half a century ago. As a cruise and travel writer, she shares her passion for life at sea, the ports and destinations; the complete cruise experience.

Incorporating cuisine into the cruise experience seemed like a perfect fit. It all began when, at only eight years old, Sherry could be found in the kitchen of the original Morton’s restaurant in Chicago, tasting sauces and gravies for Uncle Mort. Sherry still lurks in galleys and kitchens to experience a celebrity chef’s dinner at sea or on a mission to recommend a local restaurant in port.

Considered a cruise and destination expert, Sherry has had articles, photos and interviews published in major newspapers, travel industry publications and online travel sites.  She has been featured on radio shows including Arthur and Pauline Frommer’s Travel Radio Show, Paul Lasley’s OnTravel Armed Forces Radio and others.

Sherry does not fly and truly believes, “If there’s a port…I can get there.” Read her blog at www.cruisemaven.com

John Morrison

John Morrison was born in North Carolina and is a long time longtime Portlander. He graduated from Portland state with a BS in history and is a Master Gardener. He claims he got a late start in travel writing and, in addition to being a wine aficionado, John loves Italy and, of course, Italian wines.

Ruth Newell

Ruth Newell is freelance writer with a serious slant towards dharma-travel. She spent the last 25 years writing a wide variety of technical documents, marketing material, and website content for Native American Tribes, government entities, and corporations. Much of her professional writing has involved sustainable development (specializing in zero waste technologies), comprehensive and environmental planning, fundraising, as well as community and business development. She also taught creative writing in a private school for 16 years. For the last two years, she’s been traveling and writing about they places she visits, the people she meets and the food she eats. She’s lived in many places over the years and when asked where she is “from,” she responds that her home is where her heart is and where her heart lies is her secret. She does, however, currently call North San Diego County home “base”; yet, that could change at any moment…depending on which direction the wind blows.

Jason Womack

Jason W. Womack, MEd, MA, one of the newest contributors to realfoodtraveler, is a road warrior, business consultant, and author. He provides practical methods to maximize tools, systems, and processes to achieve quality work/life balance. He has worked with leaders and executives for over 16 years in the business and education sectors. His focus is on creating ideas that matter and implementing solutions that are valuable to organizations and the individuals in those organizations. He’s also the author of Your Best Just Got Better: Work Smarter, Think Bigger, Make More.

 

Lindsay Milich

While earning a degree in Tourism Administration from Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, California, Lindsay Milich developed a strong interest in topics such as culinary tourism,  poverty reduction through tourism, and the cultural implications of tourism. She’s lived in Heidelberg, Germany and has traveled to Eastern Europe, Greece, and Spain. When not traveling or scheming about future journeys, Lindsay is studying and savoring the flavors of world cultures through her food and travel blog Coffee Cup Travels. She’s worked for The International Ecotourism Society and the Center for Sustainable Tourism Initiatives in Montenegro. She currently works and resides in Podgorica, Montenegro.

 

Brian Yaeger, RFT Beer Editor

Brian Yaeger, RFT’s resident beer expert, is the author of ”Red, White, and Brew: An American Beer Odyssey,” about the people and places that constitute the brewing industry. He lives in Portland, OR a.k.a. Beervana where he and his wife, Half Pint, just welcomed their first son. Yaeger even opens their spare apartment to beercationers at Inn Beervana.

 

Mary Schiavo

Mary Schiavo is an attorney with Motley Rice in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She has been in the aviation industry for more than 30 years, first as a licensed pilot, then as the former inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation, a professor of aviation, and now as an aviation attorney. www.motleyrice.com/attorneys/view/mary-f-schiavo

 

 

 

 

 

Noella Schink

Noella Schink is a travel writer and beauty blogger who lives in Portland, Maine. Born and raised in the jungle of Maui, Hawaii, she has traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Canada, the UK, Mexico and Caribbean. Ranging from short cruises to semesters living abroad, the trips always inspire and enchant her. Noella lives for that singular, emotional swelling in her chest when she’s faced with a new spectacular vista or vibrant cityscape. She delights in recounting her adventures, especially the delicious eats along the way (with special emphasis on cheeseburgers, paella and meat pies). When she isn’t writing/eating/hatching new travel plans, you’ll find her on the beach roughing up her husband and two dogs or in the mirror playing with make up.

Roy Stevenson

Roy Stevenson is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Seattle, Washington. He’s had more than 600 articles published in 160 regional, national, and international magazines, newspapers, in-flights and online travel magazines in the U.S.A., Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. He writes on travel and culture, history, art, military history, military vehicles, writing, communications, health, fitness, running, triathlons, sports and film festival reviews. He writes the monthly destination travel column for 48 Degrees North yachting magazine. To view more of Roy Stevenson’s travel articles go to www.Roy-Stevenson.com

 

 

 

Brenda Christensen and Tom Barry

Brenda Christensen and Tom Barry are worldwide travelers extraordinaire. They spend much of their time searching the far reaches of the planet for interesting people, terrific food, and authentic travel experiences. When they aren’t in some exotic locale, they make their home in the San Francisco Bay area and British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast where Brenda delights guests with gourmet meals and Tom is a master woodworker.

 

Ewen Bell

Ewen Bell, an award-winning photographer based in Australia  www.ewenbell.com shoots stunning photos for the Australian travel media. He was named Photographer of the Year (2007) by American Society of Travel Writers (ASTW). He’s won ASTW’s award for Best Australian Image (2008) and twice has earned the M.I.L.K. prize for photography. Ewen also leads workshops around the world for people who want to improve their travel photos. He recently launched a website to help travelers improve their travel photography that’s loaded with terrific information and tips www.photographyfortravelers.com

 

 

 

 

Rebecca Johnson

Rebecca Johnson‘s love of travel, languages, and foreign culture led to her current life in Barcelona, Spain, where she has lived for more than six years. A result of her travels, life abroad, and her work for a large-scale food events organizer based in Barcelona, is a passion for food. In her free time, she organizes a food club where people can get together and learn about the local food traditions in Spain.

 

Yvette Cardozo, RFT Ski & Dive Editor, and Bill Hirsch

Yvette Cardozo and Bill Hirsch from the Seattle, Washington area, like to visit interesting places and learn about interesting cultures and, if a tasty local dish is involved, so much the better. They’ve eaten everything from gourmet food at the world’s finest restaurants to native food in Asia, the arctic, and all kinds of places in between.

Yvette recalls being in Antarctica and going out on the land with Inuit elders in arctic Canada , then bagging a caribou. They dragged it back to camp and ate it on the spot raw. She quips, “Hey, if you like steak tartare….”

Yvette, who is a veteran skier and driver, is RFT Ski & Dive Editor.

Sergio Salvador

Sergio Salvador is a photographer based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, www.salvadorphoto.com. He’s been serious about imaging, particularly food photography, since starting the local culinary publication La Cocinita in 1995. Food is a favorite subject of Sergio’s, as are children, families, and weddings. He also works corporate and political events and offers on-location head shots and company team photos. In his spare time, he relishes landscape and abstract photography. Sergio’s editorial/documentary clients include Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, CBS.com, NBC.com, ABC.com, Vegetarian Times, the National Culinary Review, the Weekly Alibi, realfoodtraveler.com, and many others.

 

Viv Chapleo and Jill Hoetling

Viv Chapleo and Jill Hoetling, co-founders of the online adventure travel magazine for women, WAVEJourney.com — Women’s Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! WAVEJourney is an online resource for women’s travel and WAVEJourney travel divas, Viv and Jill, scour the world in search of women-friendly businesses, services and products.

 

 

 

 

Julie Pegg, Wine Editor, Canada

Julie Pegg has been writing about food and wine for 15 years. She was a product consultant for 14 of her 24 years working for the British Columbia Liquor Board in Vancouver. She still keeps her hand in (and elbow firmly bent) at Dundarave Wine Cellars in West Vancouver, British Columbia. Julie is also a keen amateur cook who loves culinary travel. Farmers’ markets and wine shops are always her first stop. Julie is RFT’s Wine Editor, Canada.

Natalie Maclean

Natalie MacLean is an independent journalist and author of the bestseller Red, White and Drunk All Over. More than 115,000 wine and food lovers subscribe to her free monthly e-newsletter. For Google searches on popular terms like “food and wine matching” and “wine newsletter,” Natalie’s site is a go-to resource for food and wine lovers. Nat was named the World’s Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia. She is the only person to have won both the M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award from the James Beard Foundation and the M.F.K. Fisher Award for Excellence in Culinary Writing from Les Dames d’Escoffier International: www.nataliemaclean.com/bio.

 

John Blanchette

John Blanchette is a syndicated travel, food and wine writer for Creators Syndicate (400 newspapers) and other outlets and a monthly columnist (“Savor This”) in the magazine of the American Institute of Wine & Food. He is also  is also a freelance travel writer, television producer and owns a public relations company in Santa Monica, California.

Leslie Long

 

Leslie Long is a New York-based travel and lifestyle writer and photographer with a love of authentic places off the tourist track. She and her family often cross many state lines and travel far and wide in search of fabulous food and indigenous restaurants. She enjoys baking pies, growing as many herbs and vegetables as she can in containers ,and the constant pursuit of things that are wonderful and new. leslielongportfolio.com

 

Marilyn McFarlane

Marilyn McFarlane is a long-time freelance writer whose emphasis is on travel. She has written several guidebooks and contributed to others, and she’s published scores of articles in newspapers, magazines, and online. She wrote The Healthy Seniors Cookbook: Ideal Meals and Menus for People Over Sixty (Or Any Age) because she saw a need for easy-to-make, healthful, good-tasting recipes for one or two people. The book includes health tips for seniors, numerous contributions from retirees, and six weeks of menus. Her website is www.marilynmcfarlane.com, and her blog is www.lightheartedtravel.wordpress.com.

Gail Leskow

Gail Leskow comes to us from the sunny state of Florida in the U.S. She recently traveled on her first cruise and brought back a review of a fabulous lunch she enjoyed in Rome.

 

 

 

Lisa Shusterman

Lisa Shusterman is a mother, part-time arbitrator, world traveler, and author of Around the World in Easy Ways (see Real Reviews for more). She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio,with her husband Marty, her two daughters, Siena and Avocet, and their rats, Pearl and Rue. You can purchase her book at her travel blog, www.aroundtheworldineasyways.com, or at Amazon.com. Check out her around the world travel blog at oneworldonetrip.blogspot.com.

 

Lana Mulder

Lana Mulder is a woman of many talents — artist, seamstress, fabulous cook, computer wizard, and world traveler. When she’s not traveling to far-flung places like Africa, Morocco, and Europe, Lana operates a photo memory business, Dragonfly Photo Memory and Organization Services where she helps people organize and preserve their family photographs and other memorabilia. She can be reached at info@dragonflyphotoservices.com.

 

 

Alice Ericksen

Alice Ericksen is a retired school superintendent who lives with her husband, Paul, outside of Molalla, Oregon. When Alice isn’t trotting around the globe enjoying great restaurants, she and Paul love to cook at home.

Elizabeth Margolis-Pineo

Elizabeth “Libby” Margolis-Pineo knows her way around a tasting menu. She’s attended countless wine, sake, and beer tastings and she loves all things brunchy and boozy. She’smashed ripe Tuscan figs into her mouth straight from the tree, ordered Poutine well past midnight in Montreal, and will eat the skin of just about any roasted animal, especially pig. In addition to being a food and travel writer and graphic designer extraordinaire, Libby is the founder and editor of www.EpicuriousTravelers.com.