Contributing Writers

Tastebud magazine is proud of the team of local professionals writing articles each month. The helpful information they will pass along is a resource we hope our readers appreciate and learn from. Our goal is for readers to dog-ear the pages, clip the recipes, and tear out articles about places you want to visit. Here are the contributing writers that make tastebud possible:

Jenny Vergara is a full time Foodie and a woman on a quest to develop her palate and herself through cooking, eating, drinking, traveling and writing. She has spent the last 5 years documenting all the restaurants she found along the way in a series of personal restaurant journals she keeps for her own enjoyment. Email her at tablehopping@gmail.com or keep up with her Foodie adventures at www.makingafoodie.com.

Nichole Burnett, MS, RD, LD is the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent at the KSU Research & Extension, Johnson County Office. You can contact her at Nichole.Burnett@jocogov.org.

Diana Endicott, Farm to Market Coordinator, started Good Natured Family Farms with her husband, Gary, in 1995. She began selling tomatoes and discovered how difficult it was for small family farms to find markets. As a result, she set out to organize small family farmers and market their products under the Good Natured Family Farms brand. GNFF products can be found at area Hen House Markets.

Maureen Fitzsimmons is an avid cookbook collector with a keen interest for food and cooking. A pharmacist by trade, Maureen utilizes the science and alchemy of ingredients in her cooking as well as the enjoyment of seasonal foods. You can contact her at reenfitz@gmail.com.

Michael Kricsfeld is the Director of Catering for Cutchall Management Company. CMC is the local franchisee of Famous Dave's BBQ restaurants. For information about catering an event or if you just want to talk food, contact him at Michael@caterkc.com or at 816-805-7534.

Kelly Gibbens, our Cheese Wiz.

Jason Burton. What started out as a hobby recently became a boutique marketing company. This past August, Jason opened LAB 5702. The LAB focuses on marketing strategies, branding and research for beverage related clients. The LAB’s clients spread throughout the Midwest in many disciplines of the beverage industry. Follow The LAB at twitter.com/LAB5702 or at Facebook.com/LAB5702.

Nancy O' Connor M.S. Ed. is an author, nutrition educator, and cooking instructor. She is the Director of Education and Outreach for Community Mercantile Cooperative Grocery in Lawrence, Kansas. She lives in the country outside Lawrence with her husband and two sons. You can reach Nancy at cmef@themerc.coop.

Mark Mollentine is the chef/owner of the historic Governor's Meeting House restaurant and has over 20 years experience cooking, creating, teaching, and writing about food. He is pleased to introduce Chef Mark Alan's Finishing & Flavoring Sauces and Seasoning Blends. These original, high quality sauces and seasoning blends were selected from the most requested dishes from his restaurant. They are versatile, all natural, fat free, without msg or artificial dyes. For more information, great recipes and to find where to buy them, go to www.ChefMarksKitchen.com

Patty Santee owns Santee Floral Designs. Patty is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers and serves as a Trustee of the AIFD Foundation. She has designed flowers for two Presidential Inaugurations, the re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty, and other local and national events. Santee Floral Designs may be reached at (913) 642-7800 or their website www.flowerskc.com.

The American Culinary Federation Greater Kansas City Chefs' Association has a combined membership of over 500 professional chefs, apprentices, and purveyor members, and is one of the largest ACF chapters in the country. Its goal is to make a positive difference for culinarians through education, apprenticeship, and certification, while creating a fraternal bond of respect and integrity among culinarians everywhere.

Jill Grunewald is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. She has a private health counseling practice, with specialized knowledge in weight loss without deprivation and struggle, women's health, thyroid issues, osteoporosis, hypoglycemia and diabetes, candida, energy issues, and acidic conditions. You can find out more about her personalized nutritional approach at www.healthfulelements.com. You can also reach her at jill@healthfulelements.com.

Neil J. Salkind os the lead literary agent at The Salkind Agency agency where he represents successful authors in the areas of general non-fiction and textbooks. He enjoys reading, cooking, Masters swimming and tinkering around his 110 year old home and old Volvos.

Heather Coones owns Botanica Event Floral Design. You can reach her at 913-208-8956 or on the web at www.designbotanica.blogspot.com

Erin Reynolds Brown is the pastry chef/owner of Dolce Baking Company in Prairie Village, Kansas. She and her small team produce gourmet, from-scratch pastries daily. The best cinnamon rolls in town, scones, cookies, tarts, cupcakes, special occasion cakes, and wedding cakes are just a few of the treats you will find at Dolce. Contact her at erin@dolcebakingco.com ~ 913.236.4411 or stop by at 6974 mission road, prairie village.

Chris Stenger is a an avid homebrewer and a member of both the Kansas City Bier Meisters and The Lawrence Brewers Guild. In addition to craft beer, Chris loves to cook, travel, and hang out with his wife and two dogs. hoptalk@gmail.com

Barbara Fetchenhier walked into her dream job at Powell Gardens 14 years ago and is currently the Fruits and Nuts Gardener for the Heartland Harvest Garden. Barbara’s true passion is growing edibles. Several years ago she was selected as the first Heartland Harvest gardener; her responsibilities include overseeing the fruit and nut crops. She spends her ‘down time’ at Fetchen’ Honey Farm, a 20-acre paradise where Barb and her husband raise free-range meat and egg-producing chickens. Barbara is also an avid beekeeper.

Alan Hagedorn works at Royal Liquors 103rd Street location, where you can join his loyal following. He has certification from both Court of Master Sommelier and the Society of Wine Educators. He can be reached at 816-942-8888. Ger even more great wine advice from Alan from his blog www.winetheblog.blogspot.com.

Jenni Cossey is a Certified Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine. You can find her at Wine. in Brookside, www.brooksidewine.com. Email her at jennic@brooksidewine.com

Jennifer Matascik is the Marketing Specialist for Whole Foods Market on 91st Street and Metcalf in Overland Park, KS. Whole Foods Market is the first national certified organic grocer, specializing in natural and organic foods free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. For recipe ideas visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com or reach Jennifer at Jennifer.Matascik@wholefoods.com.

Lincoln Broadbooks has been a cheese geek ever since his travels through Europe. As the manager of The Better Cheddar in Prairie Village he is around the food he loves every day. Lincoln has held demonstrations and lectured in the Kansas City area and teaches cheese classes at the Kansas City Culinary Center. Lincoln is also an avid home cheese maker.