Good morning everyone. Today’s special guest is the Senior Food Editor at @MNMOmag, @DearDara. Set your timer to 1hr and lets begin.

Dara:    let’s!

So @DearDara, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up, go to school and what did you want to be as an adult?

Dara:    NYC, math-geek high school, and then came to MN for college, Carleton. Wanted to be: A writer! A cook. A writer! A cook…

How did you get into the food industry, and what kind of jobs did you have at first?

Dara:    Dishwasher! Started when I was 13, then worked my way up thru kitchen positions, ending as a sous & pastry (2 places)

I see. So when did you start transitioning to writing about food and restaurants? Did you have a blog?

Dara:    After college. & no, print, pre-blogging days…

Since critiquing people and the food that they make is such a personal thing, did you find it difficult at first to do?

Dara:    At first, yes. It’s rude to say people can’t cook! Six months of bad linguini in, it gets easier.

When then did you start working with @MNMOmag and what do your responsibilities cover?

Dara:    2008, food & wine writing.

I can imagine that you eat and taste a variety of foods. Do you have a style or ethnicity of food that you prefer?

Dara:    I like just about everything, really, hard to beat great Korean, French, Japanese, Italian… But a talented chef can

make anything great, ie Haute Dish’s revelatory 1980′s Midwest Americana.

In addition to all of the KINDS of food that you try, you probably eat/taste a lot of food. Is calorie counting tough?

Dara:    Not really-no problem w the wine either, neither gout nor hazleden seem to be on my horizon… Knock wood!!

Good! :) In addition to @MNMOmag, what other kind of publications and writing have you done or would you like to do?

Dara:    my book is Drink This, Wine Made Simple, & I write for Saveur, Bon Appetit, more.

Impressive! Besides food & wine, what other interests or hobbies do you get involved in? More book ideas on the way?

Dara:    I like hiking, walking, having children, and not going crazy. Museums & books help.

have another book in the works, but it’s top secret for now.

To close, what TC food events and openings are you looking forward to in 2012?

Dara:    So many! Just blogged a bunch at mnmo.com, but our food & wine show, chef challenge, butcher & boar..Thanks! Was fun!

Joel:    Thanks for your time and sharing some of your life on #MNMOtv today. Be sure to read her work at www.mnmo.com. Later!