Chandra Ram
Chandra Ram

 

Writing * Recipe Development * Culinary consulting & Trendspotting

Hello and welcome! I’m a writer, cookbook author, recipe developer, editor, and food consultant who is constantly curious about ingredients, techniques, restaurants and chefs. I write personal essays that connect how we live with how we eat, travel stories for people who love to nosh as they explore, food trend reports on how everything happening in the world impacts how and what we eat, and everything in between.

What are some of my favorite ways to work? I write cookbooks — solo and with chefs and brands. I regularly speak at conferences and events, including the Culinary Institute of America Worlds of Flavor, Les Dames d'Escoffier's MFK Fisher Food Writers Symposium, and at various events and festivals as an onstage interviewer. And, I do a lot of other projects (recipe development, food trend reporting, create custom food zines, edit copy). After spending years working in magazines, restaurants, and as a consulting chef, caterer, writer, and editor, I am pretty jazzed to tie together all of those experiences into what I do today.

Please stay in touch by signing up for my free newsletter, where I write about food culture and create recipes that help you repurpose your leftovers.

 

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Just when you thought it wasn’t possible to indulge further, I suggest you make Monte Cristo sandwiches with your leftover panettone, ham, and cheese. Recipe in my stories and in my latest Substack post (link to my free newsletter in my bio)!
It was so fun to write about three of my favorite bites this year for @chicagomag. Hit up @cafeyaya_chi for @zjengel killer lamb burger, @sarimacafe for @zubairmohajir decedent breakfast sammie, and @creepieschicago for @taylerploshehanski cheesy bri
Maybe - just maybe - you can skip making a fancy dessert for your next dinner and pull out a few fancy candies and cookies? It makes you seem like a much more relaxed host than you might actually be! Some thoughts and suggestions in my latest newslet
Thanksgiving hosts, stop for a sec and do a little self-care! I wrote about five ways I try to keep myself sane while hosting family in my (ta-da!) just-launched newsletter on Substack. Link to the piece is in my stories, and the link to a free sub
I wrote about a lot of fun, easy ways to give your Thanksgiving a little Chicago flair, courtesy of some of the best chefs in the city for @chicagomag. Thanks to @amycavanaugh for the edits, @lucyhewett for all the visuals, and @kmillerlib for having
What was more fun - writing about how to turn your steakhouse leftovers into new and tasty meals, or talking about it on television? An impossible question! Many thanks to @amycavanaugh @chicagomag and @kmillerlib, @wgnnews and @dinabairwgn for letti
Last month, I had the honor of @leahwendzinski coming to my apartment to photograph me for her show, At Home On Earth. The sun and shadows on the back terrace hit something close to geometric perfection for the shot she chose for the show. I’m