International Food Wine and Travel Writers Assoc. Excellence in Journalism Awards
I am trying to get better about submitting my work for awards and I finally got brave this year and threw a few of my 2025 pieces into the running for the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association Excellence in Journalism Awards.
My article, You’re Probably Using Olive Oil All Wrong, written for Fodor’s Travel, received Honorable Mention in the food category. Please clap because I’m totally OK with fourth place, and it’s given me the confidence to submit more of my writing. Yes, my imposter syndrome is loud.
Here’s an excerpt:
I have a rule when I travel: don’t bring home junk. This comes mostly from being a frequent traveler, as there is only so much room in my house for tchotchkes, and I dislike clutter. I make an exception for consumables because they don’t occupy permanent space. The scent of the soap I brought home from an artisan shop in Florida or the flavor of the olive oil I got in Greece atop my Wednesday night pasta helps those travel memories to keep on giving.
I did an olive oil tasting on my recent trip to Greece, where deliciously briny, purple-hued Greek olives were a part of every meal I had. While I did bring back olive oil, which gives me happy flashbacks each time I drizzle it on bread or veggies, I brought back more than just the bottle–I brought back the knowledge that I’ve been buying and using olive oil the wrong way.
Read the full article here.
