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

September 30, 2015

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Wine and Cheese Pairings: Provence Culinary Trips

Filed Under  Food History, Kitchen Tips, Wines & Spirits

When it comes to any food and wine pairings, it's pretty much always a safe bet to serve wines and foods of the same region. The reason for this is quite simple; the terroir where the vineyards grow is similar to the terrior where the goats, cows, and sheep graze on the grass. This makes for uniquely complimentary flavors between the wines of a region and its food products. Learn… Read
Post

Posted

September 18, 2015

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Salmorejo (Chilled Tomato Soup) Recipe from our Andalusia Cooking Vacation

Filed Under  Destination Features, Food History, Recipes

Olive oil has many uses in cooking, both as a seasoning and as an ingredient. Knowing that, the kind of oil you're using can make a big difference in the flavor of a dish. No one knows that better than Chef Clive of our popular Cooking in Andalusian Olive Country culinary vacation in Spain. Both olives and olive oil have an important place in the gastronomy of the region, which… Read
Post

Posted

September 4, 2015

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

A Provencal Picnic: How to Make a Tartine Jardinière (Provencal Vegetable Sandwich)

Filed Under  Food History, Recipes

Provence is a foodie's delight. The Mediterranean diet is packed with fresh produce, olive oil, and of course seafood, and many of these tasty treats are found at the local open-air markets as well as the shops of artisan food producers. Pair this delicious food with the beautiful natural setting, and it's no wonder that Provence is one of our favorite culinary vacation destinations, and an ideal place for a… Read
Post

Posted

August 19, 2015

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

A Lemon Liqueur in Southern Italy (And We're Not Talking About Limoncello)

Filed Under  Food History, Wines & Spirits

The lemon has a long and storied history in the south of Italy, particularly along the Amalfi Coast, but many tourists who visit the gorgeous southern regions of Italy often associate the lemons of the area with limoncello. But that's not the only liqueur that's made with this ancient and healthy fruit. Experience a culinary adventure in Puglia. To discover where the liqueur known as Ambrosia di Limone is made,… Read
Post

Posted

August 17, 2015

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

The Lemons of Italy: Puglia

Filed Under  Destination Features, Food History, Travel Tips

When one thinks of lemons in Italy, most think of the Amalfi Coast with their exceedingly large sfusato lemons. But lemon trees populate much of southern Italy. In fact, to the east of the Amalfi Coast, lies Puglia; the heel of Italy isn't very well known to tourists, but it is often referred to as the land of a thousand olive trees. And that's true -- but it's also home… Read
Post

Posted

August 5, 2015

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

The Wine Toasting Traditions of Greece

Filed Under  Destination Features, Wines & Spirits

Part of every culinary tour with The International Kitchen is the beverages you drink and the traditions surrounding them. And while every country may have a different name for it, and a different way of doing it, but there's no question about it: toasting with wine dates back to the Ancient Greeks. Then again, it wasn't called 'toasting' back then. Rather, the elite men of ancient Greece would gather for… Read
Post

Posted

July 24, 2015

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Ratatouille Recipe from our Provence Cooking Vacation

Filed Under  Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes

'Tis the season for ratatouille! This dish, packed as it is with summer vegetables, is perfect for this time of year. It also has its roots in Provence, which makes sense, considering the region is a land of sunshine. Definitely note in the recipe how the vegetables are cooked separately. This helps ensure they're all cooked just right with just the amount of caramelization, making this dish extra delicious. For… Read
Post

Posted

June 12, 2015

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Stuffed Provencal Vegetables Recipe from our Provence Cooking Vacation

Filed Under  Destination Features, Recipes

Seasonal vegetables are an important part of the Mediterranean diet, and that's nowhere more apparent than during a cooking vacation in Provence. The wonderful sunny weather in this corner of France helps create the perfect climate for an array of vegetables, like zucchinis, eggplants, and tomatoes -- just a few of the many options. If you're looking to feature fresh vegetables from your own garden (or from the local farmer's… Read
Post

Posted

June 10, 2015

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Breakfast Beverages From Around the World

Filed Under  Food History, Travel Tips

Coffee, tea, and even juice are pretty ubiquitous when it comes to breakfast around the world, but there are plenty of other beverages to choose from when dining overseas. Just as every country has their own delicacies and gastronomical treats, so too do they have their own traditional breakfast beverages that they pair with their meal, just as many do with wine for lunch and dinner. Learn about drinking coffee… Read
Post

Posted

May 27, 2015

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Crete Wines and a Prawns Saganaki Recipe

Filed Under  Destination Features, Recipes, Wines & Spirits

As the largest Greek island, Crete has a little bit of everything, from popular long sandy beaches to quiet hidden coves and mountain villages. It also has a vibrant, but in many ways still burgeoning, winemaking scene that has quite the history; winemaking may have started here over 3,000 years ago by the ancient Greeks, but it wasn't until the early 2000's that the wines here started to get some… Read
Post