Meet this month’s Tattle Tasters—members of the What’s Cookin, Chicago community who sampled the cupcakes I posted all week. Below is a short introduction to each tasters, their food interests, and why they wanted to be part of this tasting. Thanks to everyone who volunteered this month; look for another round of Tattle Tasters in November.
Bananas Foster Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Cheesecake Frosting
“I just really love food. I always have. It is a passion that has stayed with me since I was a small child. I get excited to try new restaurants—when I travel, where and what I will eat are always the first priority. I love reading about food, experimenting with flavors, and of course, smelling and tasting food.”
Shawna lives in Old Irving Park, Chicago, and joined What’s Cookin, Chicago in August 2009. She joined to meet people who share her passion for cooking and sharing meals with friends. While she favors Mediterranean cuisine, she enjoys many types of food. Shawna became a Tattle Taster because she sees it as a great way to get feedback on recipes and to learn about new flavors and ingredients by tasting many different dishes.
“I’m always trying new recipes at home. I like to try raw or vegan recipes to see what they taste like and to eat healthier. I’m always substituting ingredients in recipes. I just love to cook.”
Kelly lives in Lakeview and found the group on Meetup.com. A member since August 2007, she values the way the group brings people from different neighborhoods together around a common love of food. Kelly enjoys all kinds of cuisine, especially Chinese food. She volunteered as a Tattle Taster because she likes tasting others’ cooking and giving honest feedback—she sees it as a fun way to try new dishes and broaden her culinary experiences.
“I’ll try pretty much any food once, and love discovering new things. I get excited about fun, easy recipes I can make at home and feel good about.”
Brittany lives near Lincoln Park and Lakeview and joined What’s Cookin, Chicago in August 2009 after finding interesting meetups nearby. She has attended several events and enjoys Asian cuisines and simple, high-quality ingredients like good bread, cheese, and fruit. Brittany became a Tattle Taster to provide feedback and to taste recipes in person, not just judge them from photos or paper instructions.
“I love to eat everything. Growing up, I was raised to appreciate any food that was given to me, so I am always thankful to try different kinds of food.”
Cathy lives in Old Town and has been a member since July 2009. She’s attended multiple events and enjoys sampling a wide variety of dishes, bringing an open and grateful approach to tasting new foods.
“I started becoming interested in food when I was a vegan in college. At the same time I read Fast Food Nation and took a course called Geography of Food, Cuisine and Kitchenspace. Those experiences opened my eyes to the political and economic forces behind food and helped me remove cultural blinders from my own food practices. Working with factory workers in central Mexico and spending time in street markets led me to see cooking as a therapeutic and communal act—from the small talk with vendors to the calming rhythm of chopping vegetables and the joy of eating.”
Rachel lives in Pilsen and enjoys Mexican street food as well as Southern Indian dishes, Danish simplicity, and rustic Italian cooking. She joined What’s Cookin, Chicago in September 2009 after finding the group on Meetup and appreciates the clear, approachable explanations Joelen provides about food chemistry and technique. As a Tattle Taster, Rachel is motivated by a desire to experiment more with recipes and to refine her skills in taste, texture, and process now that she has fewer opportunities and resources to try new ingredients on her own.