I travel, cook, eat, observe, interact, live and write.
As a culinary and cultural travel writer I seek connections among people, activities, the environment and what they eat that tell the story of a region/culture, whether that be in the remote Andes Mountains or the streets of Philadelphia.
Publications include my travel web site on Argentina (www.travel-with-pen-and-palate-argentina.com) and articles covering a diverse range of countries and cultures at www.travelpenandpalate.com and both the digital and print editions of the Hellenic News of America.
Industry experience includes over 45 years as a chef, chef educator, hotel and restaurant manager, catering as well as teaching history, writing, theater, culinary arts and business.
I'm an active member in the American Culinary Federation.
For me, traversing this bucolic region, l’arte del fare il vino – the art of making wine – seems more la storia d’amore di fare il vino – the love affair of making wine.
the wine shop at Cherry Valley Vineyard
Big Creek Vineyard & Winery
Big Creek Vineyard and Winery and Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard are two of the vineyards on the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail in northeast Pennsylvania that make for a pleasant weekend getaway.
named for Dr. Dominic Strohlein’s grandmother – Big Creek VineyardSorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyard
the garden for catered events at Sorrenti Cherry Valley Vineyards
Chef/Manager Dan Stripp of Shawnee Inn’s The Gem and Keystone Brewpub
Gem & Keystone Brewpub’s Dan Stripp and his team of “artists, skateboarders and rock stars” are unconcerned they’re on the cutting edge of national trends.
Gem and Keystone Brewpub: (clockwise) Limestone Springs Trout with Asian sauted vegetables, cold smoked Baby Back Ribs, Soft Pretzels with Cheddar Ale Dip, Lettuce Wedge salad with Calkins Creamery Blue Cheese, Jumbo Lump Crabcakes
Sous Chef Corey Scott could have inherited his family’s 480 acre resort but why do something predictable? Sous Chef Travis Dente, a dishwasher a few years ago, created the recipe for their cold smoked wood grilled baby backed ribs with a deep flavored smoky BBQ sauce that sent me over heaven.
Sous Chefs Travis Dente and Corey Scott of Shawnee Inn’s The Gem and Keystone Brewpub
From India to rural Pennsylvania, Chef Gaurav Navin brings a world’s experience to Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort’s menu using locally sourced products.
Jackie Gleason learned how to play golf at Shawnee in 1959
“Out with the old and in with the older.”
Shawnee’s Centenary motto
On Pennsylvania’s Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort’s spacious and secluded grounds guard bees congregate on the porch of the hives providing ventilation for the life of the queen. Six varieties of tomatoes, white eggplant, Chinese five-color peppers and multi-colored chard thrive in the middle of one of America’s oldest award-winning golf courses. Micro-beers are being bottled by a former electronics engineer of advanced defense weapons. Goat cheese is delivered fresh from a local farm. The mist on the Delaware River swirls through the tree-covered Pocono Mountains, and Frank Sinatra’s voice croons softly through the 100 year old lobby. This is the 21st Century?
The River SanctuaryShawnee Inn (1911)guard bees in the Apiary – they’re providing cooling ventilation for the QueenChinese 5-color pepper at the Shawnee FarmThe Verandah at Shawnee InnThe Inn in the evening
Saltwater Cafe’s decorative lamp, soft sculptures and Silver Spoon Award hanging just below the 6′ Ike water level marker
Galveston, Texas, from breakfast at the Tremont through a late night cocktail at M & M’s, this city should be on any foodie’s culinary map.
Mosquito CafeShip Channel from Willy G’sM & M Restaurant & BarTremont House Hotel’s restored 1888 Henry Toujouse rosewood bar from the former First Henry’s CafeTremont House Hotel lounge from the Cafe
Galveston, Texas, once the New York of the Southeast, is struggling to regain its much deserved prominence among America’s ocean side retreats.
Galveston: Birthplace of “Juneteenth”Galveston Beach, (lower right) Jamaica Beach area of Galveston island
Stately Oak trees once shaded all of Galveston but Ike’s tidal surge killed most of the trees. A city art project has turned dozens of trunks into fanciful sculptures. This one (lower right) is in front of the fire station. (upper right) house in the 1930’s Cedar Lawn district
The free ferry service (both car & pedestrian) to Bolivar Peninsula across the Ship Channel and Galveston Bay
Travel with Pen and Palate 
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