Beth Peterson is an expert in all things food, beverage and the lifestyle that goes along with it. Beth travels to and covers all the major food events around the country, from SOBEWFF to Apen Food and Wine to The James Beard Awards red carpet, Beth covers it all and beyond. Sharing her take on food comes natural to her as she lives deeply engrained in the world of all things delicious. Yet, covering food events just scratches the surface on this food guru. Beth is excellent at telling food stories in print, but you will also find her in media on the radio or a food related TV. She also has an online presence with Yummie Network, where she is the Editor-in-Chief, writer and podcast personality. Additionally, she writes regularly for her blog, Pigskins and Chandeliers. How did she get to be the expert that she is? Beth is a Fox's Master Chef Alum, award-winning competitive cook, named the 2013-2014 World Food Recipe Champion. Beth's food competition career has been epic, focused on creating recipes with a ratcheted up yum factor. Beth’s winning Italian-style mac & cheese recipe at World Food Championships, featured six different cheeses propelling the notion of comfort food to new heights. Don't top reading just yet, because there is more you need to know. Beth grew up an Italian mom who could whip together mouth-watering pasta and meatballs, so she became a chaser of yummie dreams at a very early age. Surrounded by good cooks, she was always poised to swipe something off the abundant antipasto platter. Rooted in Chicago’s south side, A Midwestern girl through and through.
Beth put down her fork for a bit to paint and sculpt, earning a fine art degree in Chicago. After discovering the isolated artist studio life didn’t jive with her outgoing nature, she tapped her creativity for a successful career as a corporate event planner. She traversed the world and expanded her culinary horizons. Kimchi in Korea. Funky fish in Australia. Prawns in the Philippines. Yorkshire pudding in England. A prosciutto sandwich in Verona. Devoured in the park hanging out with Italians. Art, food and adventure were stamped onto her being.
As a restaurateur, Beth honed her entertaining skills by serving up comfort foods and spreading her warmth. For nine years, she juggled menu development, marketing, staff and operations. Needless to say, she built a following of happy comfort food seekers. Today, she resides in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband and three children. From simple but spunky kid parties to fun, impromptu gatherings for the grownups and long, cozy family dinners are the backbone of her yummie brand of home entertaining. Easy peasy ideas for inspired, thoughtful gatherings. She writes with passion and love for food.