Contributors
Alex Mack
Home base: Silver Lake, CA
Dining Program: eScrip Dining
A Los Angeles native, Alex Mack has her finger on the pulse of the latest dining trends. Her passion for seeking out the next culinary gem has led to discovering some of the best restaurants in the city. On top of her food reviews, she spends her days dishing celebrity gossip for a prominent entertainment site. She currently resides in Silver Lake.
Jill Barone
Home base: St. Petersburg, FL
Dining programs: AAdvantage DiningSM, Rapid Rewards Dining, Mileage Plus DiningSM, SkyMiles® Dining
Jill Barone is a licensed attorney by day and a ravenous foodie by night. In addition to eating out several nights per week, she also enjoys traveling, preparing unusual food items at home and tending to her urban garden. She has flown to New York for the day for the express purpose of having lunch, and has also had to purchase additional luggage in Bangkok to accommodate the 50 pounds of rice and cooking supplies that she purchased. She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her dog and her significant other.
Bonnie Coolum
Home base: Fountain Hills, AZ
Dining Program: Dividend Miles Dining
I was born and raised in New York State, living mostly in the area 30 miles north of “The City” and going to college upstate in Plattsburgh, on the Canadian border. I LOVE “eggcreams”—they are one of my NY comfort foods! I was a Home Economics major and chose to go into teaching, mostly classes in foods and nutrition. I sew with masking tape so I always asked the other teachers to take those classes.
Bill, my husband, is a Rhode Islander. He loves carpentry and we met while he was in the Seabees. After we married in 1967, we settled down in RI. Two children and 28 wonderful years later (many being with snow and ice), we relocated to Sunny Arizona in 1995 to enjoy the last 50 years in sunshine. We’ve grown to love the Southwest, but have never developed a palate for southwestern cooking!
We are members of Dividend Miles Dining. We used them in the past to fly first class to Hawaii—free!
Matt Criner
Home base: Columbus, OH
Dining Program: Reward Zone® Dining
Matt Criner is a restaurant aficionado, with over six years of working experience in the industry (server, line prep, manager, etc). He scours Columbus, Ohio for the best dishes the city has to offer. He is a beer connoisseur and is working towards his MBA (Master of Beer Appreciation) from the Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus. His favorite beer is Great Lakes Brewing Company's Christmas Ale, which he stockpiles for later consumption. Matt is a die-hard Ohio State Buckeyes and Columbus Crew fan. His ultimate goal is eventually to own and operate a pizza place.
John Emery
Home base: Chicago, IL (Lincoln Park/Old Town)
Dining programs: AAdvantage DiningSM, Hilton HHonors® Dining, Mileage Plus DiningSM, Priority Club® Dining, SkyMiles® Dining
John Emery is a retired advertising and marketing communications writer whose passion is worldwide travel—especially when it involves trains and railroads. He first discovered the power of “dining for miles” in the early 1990s. In 2005, he cashed in a few years’ worth of dining credits for an American Airlines ticket from Chicago to Belgrade to Bangkok and beyond—earning bragging rights for literally “eating his way around the world.”
John is single, 73, and based in Chicago. He belongs to five of the current Rewards Network airline and hotel programs. At last count, he had earned airline miles or hotel points in 52 cities in 25 states.
Check out the travel journals John has written and photographed for IgoUgo or view some of his travel videos posted on Vimeo.
Molly Erdman & Joe Canale
Home base: Los Angeles, CA
Dining program: AAdvantage DiningSM
Molly Erdman and Joe Canale live in Los Angeles but met while performing in Chicago at the iO improv theatre and on the Second City Mainstage. One of their first dates was at the swanky (and sadly, no longer in existence) Chicago restaurant Ambria, and thus began their love of fine dining. Living the erratically-employed actor lifestyle, Molly and Joe dedicate most of their disposable income to restaurants and they pride themselves on researching and making the most of each dining experience. As members of the Rewards Network they love racking up airline miles just by eating!
Molly and Joe also have an extensive not-so-fine-dining background, having been in commercials for IHOP and Sonic Drive-In. You can read more about them and their dining experiences at their blog: tableforyou.tumblr.com.
Jessica Gago
Home base: San Diego, CA
Dining program: iDine®
Originally from Bloomington, Indiana, Jess Gago developed a passion for wine through her friend and roommate, a self-proclaimed wino. After attending one particular wine festival, where she befriended a winemaker, Jess came to the realization that she could make a career of this! In August of 2009, she packed her bags and moved cross-country to California to pursue her dreams of becoming a wine event planner. Now living in San Diego, Jess is taking classes at the University of San Diego to earn her Certificate in Event Management. She graduated in January 2010 with her Intermediate Certificate in Wine and Spirits through the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust. Jess has worked on several events in San Diego, including the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival, and the San Diego Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Festival.
Sabrina Garibian
Home base: Philadelphia, PA
Dining program: iDine®
Sabrina Garibian shares her passion for food through her healthy recipes, creative menus, and interesting dining experiences. She loves to eat out with her friends, family, and husband and enjoys exploring both her hometown of Philadelphia and all the cities she visits. As a proud member of the iDine program. Sabrina adores both casual diners and fancy restaurants alike. She is the writer behind the healthy living blog RhodeyGirl Tests, and she also writes for The Mushroom Channel and uwishunu. Sabrina will leave you hungry for more!
Geri Jeter
Home base: Las Vegas, NV
Dining program: iDine®
Geri Jeter is a Las Vegas food and entertainment writer, a graduate gemologist, and a certified massage technician. For the past several years, she has worked as the editor for a Las Vegas Italian-American lifestyle publication and managing editor for three technical theater magazines. A former dancer and performer, she now has the opportunity to share her many enthusiasms through her writing.
Josie Gulliksen
Home base: Miami, FL
Josie Gulliksen is a Miami-based freelance writer who started in journalism at a business weekly serving as calendar editor and production manager. She edits a restaurant and spa/beauty magazine, blogs about restaurants, nightlife, culture and attractions, volunteers with several cultural organizations and provides PR consulting for a local non-profit organization. She’s a Miami native who loves the excitement of living in the "Magic City."
Jackie Lee
Home base: Baldwin Park, CA
My name is Jackie Lee and I love sushi! I have been eating it since I was about 17, but it wasn't until I was 20 years old that I started trying various sushi restaurants and every single type of sushi dish, be it nigiri style, sashimi, or sushi rolls. I became addicted to it, and began to drive all over Southern California to try different places, even taking photographs of the food. My other favorite cuisines are Thai, Korean, and Indian.
About two years ago, a friend of mine suggested that I start a sushi blog, which is how www.thesushidiva.com began. It did help that I had a background in writing, although I have to say that writing became more fun after I paired it with my passion for food. I was born in Taiwan in 1975, and many wonder why I don't love Chinese food as much as I do Japanese. I often say it has a lot to do with having eaten too much Chinese food while I was growing up, as my family didn't venture out beyond their culinary comfort zone too much. And quite simply, Japanese food rules—it is aesthetically pleasing and refined, and healthy as well.
My hobbies are dining out and traveling, but the main reason I travel is the opportunity to experience new food. There are so many great tastes in this world waiting to be discovered, and there is never enough time to try them all. My professional goal is to be a full-time restaurant critic.
Ken Lewandowski
Home base: Sterling Heights, MI
Dining program: SkyMiles® Dining
Ken Lewandowski is married with two children. He loves to golf, play poker, and play Xbox with his son (who now beats him). He also has enjoyed watching his daughter’s basketball games for the past ten years. Ken and his son are currently attempting to visit every NFL stadium in the U.S.—12 down, 20 to go! Ken’s favorite foods include pizza, bar burgers, and homemade pierogis. Polish and proud!
Michael McBee
Home base: Dallas, TX
Dining program: AAdvantage DiningSM
Michael McBee is a native and current resident of Dallas, Texas. He is 48 years old, married with children, and his favorite foods include seafood as well as Texan and Mexican foods. Michal also enjoys fresh vegetables, fish, and chicken. He firmly believes that Cabernet Sauvignon is the nectar of the gods.
Sarah Muñoz
Home base: Chicago, IL
Sarah Muñoz is currently enrolled at University of Chicago to earn a master’s degree in Liberal Studies, and loves to read and write about anything food, as well as practice her own culinary skills at home. She has worked in restaurants since the age of 15 and likes to scour the help wanted ads just to see what’s out there in hospitality. Sitting in spaces with green grass and trees is her sanity, as well as staring at her cat Josie while she sleeps.
Sasha Muzzarelli
Home base: Deerfield Beach, FL
Dining program: Priority Club® Dining
Sasha Muzzarelli is a long-time vegetarian, both for health and ethical reasons. She grew up in the Fort Lauderdale area, and now resides in Boca Raton with her (mostly) vegetarian husband and budding vegetarian daughter, 10-month-old Diana. Sasha is familiar with restaurants of all genres throughout the South Florida area. She is an avid cook, and enjoys trying out new vegetarian recipes from cooking shows, books, blogs, friends, and family. Sasha is excited to be a part of the DishKebab team and a Priority Club Dining member. She hopes to inspire people to expand their culinary horizons both out on the town and in the kitchen.
Claire R.
Home base: Washington, DC
Dining programs: Priority Club® Dining, SkyMiles® Dining
Claire is one of the hordes of faceless federal employees that fill Washington, D.C. Once upon a time, she ate out all the time because her three-hour commute left her with no time to cook. She's since reordered her life so she eats out less frequently—which means she cares a lot more about finding the perfect restaurant. While she's doing that, she's happy to rack up a few extra SkyMiles and Priority Club points through Rewards Network.
Melanie Sanders
Home base: Atlanta, GA
Dining program: SkyMiles® Dining
Featured on Entertainment Tonight, TV Guide, and in numerous publications, and even seen on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Melanie Sanders is known for not only her social ventures, but her impeccable people skills and unique business proficiency. Melanie's reign as Miss Atlanta paralleled Atlanta's rebirth as the South's entertainment capital. Melanie has spearheaded platform campaigns and events under the Miss America Organization and has been honored by the Georgia State Senate for her outstanding achievements locally and nationally. Melanie made history in 2002 as being one of the first contestants voted in the first Top 15 on Fox’s American Idol.
In addition, Atlanta Luxury Life magazine Jezebel proudly featured Ms. Sanders as one of Atlanta's 50 Most Beautiful people. Working with professional athletes, celebrities, politicians, Real Housewives of Atlanta, and school teachers, Melanie's exposure and experience has slated her as a fixture in the entertainment and hospitality industries. She presently resides in Atlanta, GA with her cat Kashmir and parrot Midori. Melanie is a proud member of Rewards Network’s SkyMiles Dining program.
Lynn Seldon
Home base: Oak Island, NC
Dining Program: Hilton HHonors® Dining
Lynn Seldon (www.lynnseldon.com) is based in coastal North Carolina. He’s a long-time freelance journalist who often covers culinary travel (including visits to many tasty Rewards Network restaurants).
April Schneider
Home base: Chicago, IL (Wicker Park/Bucktown)
Dining Program: Rapid Rewards DiningTM
April is a Civil Engineer by day and an avid eater by night. Originally from Wisconsin, she moved to Chicago in 2007 and is still working her way through the culinary adventure that this city offers.
She works for a consultant specializing in water resources, working hard to subsidize her gastronomic escapades and travel. She recently picked up amateur photography; pictures of food far outnumber anything else on her hard drive. When she isn’t eating her way through every nook and cranny of Chicago, she can be found counteracting all the calorie consumption running on the lakefront path.
For more of April’s cooking adventures, travel exploits, and much more, check out her personal blog at www.wanderlustandfoodstuff.wordpress.com.
Karen Soltero
Home base: Los Angeles, CA
Dining program: AAdvantage DiningSM
Karen was given her first cookbook when she was four years old and had to stand on a chair to reach the stove—under the watchful eye of her mother, of course. This early introduction to cooking instilled in her a true appreciation for food, and the creativity and joy of bringing ingredients together to create something delicious.
A native Texan, longtime Los Angeles resident, and certified travel junkie, Karen is a professional photographer and writer. She is currently submitting her first fiction novel for publication and has written for a number of blogs, including culinary reviews for joonbug.com and essays on a variety of subjects for her own blog, thebrunettechronicles.blogspot.com. When behind the camera, she shoots weddings, portraits, families and, of course, food. She is now tall enough to see over the counter, still loves concocting recipes in her own kitchen, and enjoys the fun and flavor of dining out, everything from fast-food to five-star, in her own city and around the world.
Marlene S.
Home base: New York City, NY
Dining program: Priority Club® Dining
Marlene, a native New Yorker, and dedicated foodie, brings tasty bites of the Big Apple dining scene to DishKebab. She says she can cook, but we know she dines out, takes out and phones out for meals. You might spot her at the hot gourmet restaurant du jour or see her on the avenue chomping on a hot dog from a street vendor. If she invites you for dinner, lucky you. It will be at a fine restaurant.
Retired from decades of continuing education management, Marlene now travels around the world (recently, Cuba, next stop, Paris) or around Manhattan (NoHo, SoHo, DUMBO). Her neighborhood museums: The Frick, the Whitney, the Met. Local retailer: Bloomingdale’s. Her garden: pots of herbs growing on the windowsill. Favorite restaurants: the ones on Rewards Network—and there are dozens in her neighborhood.
Marlene is a dedicated points junkie and if there is a way to receive upgrades, bonus points, or complimentary anythings, or bonus points, she’s our expert. Stay tuned.
Lottie Tagupa
Home base: Kamuela, HI
A former flight attendant and a Hawaii native, Lottie has been a local girl all her life while traveling far and wide to experience travel and everything the world has to offer. Now back home in Hawaii and firmly rooted on the slopes of Mauna Kea with beautiful pastoral views of Parker Ranch on the Big Island, Lottie travels to all islands regularly in search of new gastronomic experiences.
She takes daily walks with her two Golden Retrievers Hoku and Kapua, plays golf at any one of the several courses in her neighborhood. She also visits the beach often and enjoys visiting Las Vegas several times a year. Lottie appreciates luxury and first class treatment, but equally appreciates getting value for each travel dollar spent.
Amy Tarshis
Home base: New York City, NY
Dining program: Hilton HHonors® Dining
I've been passionate about food forever—I credit my father with igniting the spark! When others in my suburban New York hometown would go out for Chinese and Italian foods locally, my dad would enthusiastically take us to New York's Chinatown and the REAL Little Italy in "Da Bronx" and the Lower East Side for Jewish "Soul Food.” Eventually, I worked as a Staff Writer for the prestigious James Beard Foundation where I tried everything from Foie Gras to Rocky Mountain "Oysters.” I enjoy the upscale as well as the little joints "doin' it right" but confess that sometimes—you just can't beat a good bowl of Corn Flakes with cold milk!
Rudy Waldner
Home base: Lenexa, KS
Dining program: SkyMiles® Dining
Rudy is an author of the book Marketing from the Trenches, an avid world traveler, and an accomplished Martial Artist holding a third-degree black belt. Rudy has written articles for magazines and newspapers domestically and internationally. He's appeared on TV talk shows and radio stations worldwide. He’s perpetually on a book signing tour (and wine tasting binge), having just completed one in Egypt and about to tackle southern Africa. Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are on the itinerary.
Domestically, Rudy lectures at universities and companies throughout the states. With this constant lust for life and travel, Rudy relishes the opportunities afforded him to enjoy exotic dishes in hard to reach locations, as well as recognizing an authentic recipe imported back to the states and produced for us to enjoy. Rudy's interpretation of the good life equates to sipping a glass or two of wine at a local restaurant or café while savoring a deliciously prepared meal.
For more on the author's exploits, go to trenchmarketer.com and see pictures, videos, and further happenings.
Travis Warner
Home base: Dallas, TX
Dining program: AAdvantage DiningSM
I am a young business owner that has to eat out a lot. Almost all of my meals are at a restaurant of some type, so I know a thing or two about eating out. Whether it is eating a fast lunch and getting back to work, taking a client to dinner, or grabbing late-night drinks with friends, I have a restaurant or bar for it. I don’t like long restaurant reviews because I don’t like the opinions of people I have never met. I would rather know the basics and decide if I like the place after trying it myself. That’s why all of my blog posts are short and too the point. They have major points like location and menu variety and only a small section on my opinion. Besides, If you are like me, you are reading a review on your iPhone on your way to lunch. Favorite food: Any dessert. My motto: Work hard, play harder.
Paige Worthy
Home base: Chicago, IL
Dining Program: Mileage Plus DiningSM
Paige Worthy—yes, that’s her real name—is a Chicago-based journalist and writer. A refreshing blend of New York sass and Midwest sweet, she was blogging before everyone was doing it, eating obsessively before “foodie” was a thing, and overanalyzing life and love in writing long before Carrie Bradshaw made it sexy. For more food and restaurant reviews, check out paigeworthy.yelp.com. Read her writing at www.paigeworthy.com. Or stalk to your heart’s content on Twitter, where you’ll find her at @paigeworthy.
