My culinary trek to Chicago nearly 25 years ago to dine at the premiere restaurant in the world may have been the turning point in my life to seek out new dining and flavor experiences. After that experience, I was ready to order the spicy curry with unpronounceable ingredients and then look forward to my next adventure. You can, too. ...

A good cocktail can liven up any summertime party, but if you want to impress everyone at your gathering, try creating a delicious mocktail. It has all the pomp and circumstance of a cocktail but without the alcohol. ...

Incorporating plant-forward cuisine into your lifestyle makes sense for many reasons, one of them being the current high cost of beef and chicken. Moving away from cowboy-sized steaks to smaller portions is not only easier on your bank account, but it’s also better for your health. ...

I have high hopes for 2022. This is the year of a better me — I’m going to invest time into myself, take care of myself, and feel better about myself. New year, new me. I started on New Year’s Eve by making a resolution that I was going to lose 20 pounds. I went to bed that night excited about my future, but I woke up the next morning and still weighed the same. What happened? ...

The calendar says it's the holiday season. But if you're hosting family and friends from now until January, it's food season. Local chef and Boomer's food columnist John Selick discusses the importance of sharing family recipes and the stories behind them. ...

Another “what was old is new again” hobby that’s back is the art of pickling, fermenting and canning. This is, in part, because so many of us have become pretty good at gardening and we don’t know what to do with all those cucumbers. ...

What’s the best thing about learning to grill? It’s getting the experience by doing it, and with the repetition of grilling comes the repetition of eating yummy food, often outdoors. Sounds like a great summer activity if you ask me, but let’s review a few basics that even experienced backyard grillmasters often overlook. ...

When you hear the word dessert, what comes to mind? Something chocolate, perhaps? Or a rich and creamy cheesecake, or how about a luxurious tiramisu? Or does the word dessert immediately trigger you to think that’s the last thing you need and you refuse to think about it, not willing to fall prey to the temptation because you’re worried about the calories? ...