From My Desk

My writing brings together reporting, storytelling, and practical ideas at the intersection of food, culture, and everyday life.

I write about how food reflects history, migration, and identity—drawing from real places, real conversations, and lived experience, from cities like Mexico City to the Scottish Highlands. Through interviews and conversations with local producers and cultural voices, I aim to bring depth, authority, and context to each piece.

I also approach travel through a food lens, sharing guides and reflections designed around curiosity and shaped by learning from local communities and engaging meaningfully with the places I visit.

Alongside this, I share practical frameworks for cooking, meal planning, and feeding a family—simple, repeatable approaches, as well as seasonal recipes and recommendations focused on what to cook, what to try, and what’s worth paying attention to in real life.

Latest on Substack

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July 21, 2026

S’mores Ice Cream

caption...Nothing says “summer nostalgia” like a sticky, gooey s’more… except sweet, melty ice cream! This recipe is the best of both worlds, and the end result is the perfect summer treat for kids and grown-ups alike.Best, Jenny is a reader-supported…

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July 13, 2026

A Conversation with "Girl on Girl" Author Sophie Gilbert

Girl on Girl by Sophie GilbertJenny Best: Sophie! You wrote a big book with a very provocative title…Sophie Gilbert: I did. Copies arrived just as my twins were learning to read and when they saw the book, they ran around…

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July 5, 2026

Baguette Croutons for Easy Lunches (Beyond Salad)

Homemade croutons getting nice and toasty in the oven!I can’t remember why or when I started making homemade croutons but since that day I’ve never looked back—the taste and texture are unbeatable.I batch cook my baguette croutons every couple of…

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