With a writing career spanning over a decade, Liz SanFilippo Hall has written about everything from the correct way to assemble a Chicago-style hot dog to the intricate flavors and plating styles of Michelin-star European restaurants. Liz loves discovering new places and flavors to share with her readers, whether it’s the sandy shores of Lake Michigan and the foodie town of Traverse City or the vineyards and small towns of France. She hopes her stories inspire people to travel, try new dishes and ingredients, and learn about the history and culture of a place through its food and meeting the locals.

A graduate of The University of Chicago’s Master’s in Humanities/Creative Writing, she has a knack for combining research with her personal travel/food stories. Some of her most memorable food and travel experiences include slurping fresh French oysters at a market in Cognac, hunting for black truffles in the stunning Umbrian countryside, heading off the beaten path of the Amalfi Coast to find a Michelin-starred restaurant only known to locals, visiting the largest underground church in all of Europe, exploring the catacombs of Paris, and touring the vineyards of Northern Michigan, which is on the 45th latitude just like France’s Côtes du Rhône wine region.

In addition to her blog posts on The International Kitchen, her writing has been featured on CBSLocal.com and Hot Doug’s: The Book, among other sites and publications. She also writes about parenting, self care, and how to travel with kids (and maintain your sanity) on her personal blog, www.OopsandDaisies.com. She currently writes in the western suburbs of Chicago, where she lives with her two young children, husband, and stubborn bulldog named Kafka.


Posted

October 15, 2013

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Tapas: A Gastronomical Tradition in Spain Cooking

Filed Under  Destination Features, Food History, Travel Tips

Tapas aren't just small plates of food. They also offer a wonderful glimpse into the gastronomy of the particular Spanish region that you're visiting. Sure there are olives pretty much wherever you go in Spain, but the different flavors you'll experience, whether in a tapas bar, tavern, or Spain cooking class, are extremely varied. After all, the country's geography has everything from mountains to coastline, and lush orchards to miles… Read
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Posted

October 10, 2013

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Fall Culinary Vacations in Italy: White Truffles

Filed Under  Destination Features, Food History, Travel Tips

October and November may be the low season in Italy, but it's also one of the best times to travel to the boot-shaped country. That's because it's the season of the white truffle, and truffle fairs abound where the tuber grows. Where can White Truffles be Found? While Piedmont, in particular Alba, is widely considered the place to visit if you fancy the white truffle, it isn't the only city… Read
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Posted

October 8, 2013

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

France Cooking Vacation: What is Chèvre?

Filed Under  Food History, Travel Tips

If there's a food that France is known for it just might be cheese. But with so many fabulous cheeses, how is one to choose which to try first? This isn't so easy to answer, especially when you consider that few of the best French cheeses are imported to the U.S. So while you're in France for a cooking vacation one delicious cheese you must try is chèvre, which translates… Read
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Posted

October 1, 2013

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

5 Reasons to Visit Spain for a Cooking Vacation

Filed Under  Destination Features, Travel Tips

Italy and France may be our top two destinations when it comes to cooking vacations, but Spain comes in a close third — and it's been gaining popularity. From Costa del Sol up to San Sebastian, the land of the setting sun offers so many gastronomy traditions. Here's just five food-related reasons to consider Spain for your next overseas trip. Learn about Spanish tapas. 5. Olives, either stuffed or with… Read
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Posted

September 26, 2013

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

A Trip to Sintra During a Portugal Culinary Tour

Filed Under  Destination Features, Travel Tips

If you're looking for a town straight out of a fairytale, visit Sintra, which is less than a half hour from Lisbon, or 20 minutes from Cascais, in Portugal. Famous for its European Romantic architecture, Sintra has charmed its visitors for decades, as well as guests of our cooking vacations such as our Lisbon Food Tour and our Lisbon and the Algarve tour,  with its castles, natural forest, and ruins.… Read
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Posted

September 18, 2013

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Wine Wednesday: Malbec Wines Around the World

Filed Under  Destination Features, Wines & Spirits

Malbec grapes may originate from the Bordeaux region, but you won't just find wine made with these grapes in the southwest corner of France. After all, these red wine grapes are often used in "blended" wines, including Cahors vintages along the Lot River in France. Malbec is also an important part of the winemaking traditions of Argentina, which tourists can discover during a wine tour and cooking vacation, such as… Read
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Posted

September 16, 2013

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Cooking With Pumpkins on an Italy Culinary Vacation

Filed Under  Destination Features, Food History

Pumpkin dishes abound in the U.S. during the Fall season. Since Italian cuisine is so focused on seasonal ingredients and dishes, it should come as no surprise that pumpkin dishes are also popular in Italy this time of year, which you can discover on an Italy culinary vacation. In Italy, zucca — or pumpkin — is an important ingredient in everything from puddings and cakes, to soups, breads, pastas, and… Read
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Posted

September 12, 2013

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Emilia Romagna Cooking Vacation: Culatello and the King of Parma Ham

Filed Under  Destination Features, Food History, Travel Tips

Prosciutto is one of the most popular cured meats in all of Italy, and it's widely available here in the States, selling in the tens of millions each year. But if you head to the Italian countryside just outside Parma, Italy, cooking vacation guests can discover a rare -- but renowned treat -- that is produced far less: culatello, a cured meat made from a prized part of the pig,… Read
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Posted

August 22, 2013

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Cooking Classes in Italy: What is Battuto?

Filed Under  Food History, Kitchen Tips

The terms "soffritto" and "mirepoix" are often used in cooking -- in Italy and France, respectively -- but one of the lesser known terms is "battuto." Yet battuto is an important component of Italian cooking and, in many ways, it can be considered a cousin to the Italian soffritto. After all, the base of battuto, like soffritto, often begins with celery, onions, and carrots, which you can learn about in… Read
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Posted

July 16, 2013

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

One-Day Cooking Classes for Solo Travelers

Filed Under  Destination Features, Travel Tips

Many of our cooking classes and vacations require a minimum of two people to run, due to operation costs, but lucky for all you solo travelers, we also offer some great classes that only require a minimum of one person! Italy cookery courses If you're visiting the capital of Italy, Rome, try our cooking class in Rome! After visiting some of the chef's favorite shops, stop in the local Roman… Read
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