Staff Directory 6370605

Lee Svitak Dean

Taste editor | Newsroom
Recent content from Lee Svitak Dean
The author’s granddaughters check into a covered wagon available for an overnight stay at the Ingalls Homestead in De Smet, S.D.

On the Laura Ingalls homestead in South Dakota, a modern family survives the night in a covered wagon

Adventure and history showcase the homestead of children's author Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Minnesota's most prolific cookbook author is the authority on casseroles

Minnesota's most prolific cookbook author is the authority on casseroles

Beatrice Ojakangas' "The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever" has been reissued, and it's just as tasty.

Minnesota's most prolific cookbook author is the authority on casseroles

Collage of influential female chiefs. From left to right: Najmieh Batmanglij, Marcella Hazan, and Madeleine Kamman.

Book highlights 7 immigrant women who changed the way Americans see food

The author looks at our culinary past and asks, who does history remember? Not every cook gets equal billing, and that especially relates to women.
"Finding Freedom" by Erin French

Review: 'Finding Freedom,' by Erin French

573500609

Marcus Samuelsson's latest book celebrates Black food and the chefs who make it

In his new book, chef Marcus Samuelsson starts the conversation about Black food.
Magnus Nilsson and crew plating Porridge of grains and seeds from Jämtland finished with a lump of salty butter. Photograph: Erik Olsson ORG XMIT: MI

Swedish chef Magnus Nilsson's new book offers perspective on the hospitality industry

Chef Magnus Nilsson has a lot to say in his book about the world of restaurants.
Credit: American Swedish Institute The ASI's traditional lutfisk dinner will be serve drive-through style this year.

Drive-through lutefisk? A Minnesota tradition gets a pandemic twist

The American Swedish Institute has your holiday meal covered.
An early start: Lee Svitak Dean, left, spent several summers working -- and cooking -- at wilderness camps along the North Shore.

After 40 years and countless recipes, the Star Tribune's Taste editor says goodbye

After 40 years and countless recipes, the Star Tribune's Taste editor says goodbye.
A massive deck is part of the draw at the new Buck '54 Bar & Grill, at the ski hill in Burnsville.

Buck Hill ski resort in Burnsville hopes to be year-round dining destination

Owners hope that sunsets, green space and dinner will expand the seasons at the longtime ski and snowboard area.
Crêpes Photo by Lee Svitak Dean

Crepes make the morning meal delicious

Extra time in the kitchen meant an opportunity to learn a new skill.
Holiday cookie contest past winners.

Attention, bakers, start your ovens for the Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest

FAIRDAILY090320.beer

WILL NEED A COUPLE INCHES ON TOP TO EXPlain

FAIRDAILY082720.beer

WILL NEED A COUPLE INCHES ON TOP TO EXPLAIN
Fresh beer filling the glass directly from the tap. With extra foam spilling over glass.

Bring out the brews for two virtual beer tastings

One will be for for summer brews, the other for fall ones.
The great reveal of the lip balm of the year for the Minnesota State Fair

The great reveal of the lip balm of the year for the Minnesota State Fair

There may not be a State Fair, but there is a lip balm in its honor.
Gingered Thai Steak And Pepper Salad "Reprinted from Half Baked Harvest Super Simple. Copyright © 2019 by Tieghan Gerard. Photographs copyright © 20

A celebration of food, flag and each other for a flavorful July 4th

Sweet Potato Bread from “Jubilee: Recipes of Two Centuries of African American Cooking.”

New volumes make the 2020 James Beard book awards

Get out your notebooks. Here are new volumes to put on your wish list.
Krystle D'Alencar, a recently laid-off worker from Tattersall Distilling, brought supplies to donate to vulnerable communities at Peavey Park Saturday

Hand sanitizer serves a purpose beyond clean hands

We all need hand sanitizer. And many people are in desperate need of food. Here's how they work together.
Barbeque Fire Sparks

A stay-at-home summer is the perfect time to perfect your grilling recipes

Bring on the new recipes. It's time to head outdoors for an adventure in cooking.
Isolation BIZingo Provided photo

At 80-plus Twin Cities restaurants, takeout includes a game of 'Isolation BIZ-ingo'

The cards for the game of bingo are handed out for free, and each game has a prize of about $200 to $300 in gift cards.

Some of our favorite brunch recipes for celebrating Mother's Day

Celebrate the day with good food and, when necessary, social distancing.
These cloth masks are among those in a fundraiser for the Food Group.

Buying one of these fashionable masks will help feed the hungry in state

Ingenuity and time on their hands were the genesis of this fundraiser.
Always up for a challenge, Ann Kim will open her fourth restaurant — Sooki & Mimi — now under construction in Minneapolis.

The toughest audience for James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim? Her parents

Ann Kim has always been a storyteller. First on stage, and now in the kitchen.
Portion of rich lasagna soup close-up in a plate on the table. Horizontal top view from above

The comfort of home starts with a stockpot of soup

Soup is flexible, accommodating both your preferences and your pantry.
Demi Owner/Chef Gavin Kaysen. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com Gavin Kaysen's new restaurant, Demi, has opened in the North Loop.

Minnesota restaurants, bars and other venues get tax extension

Chef Gavin Kaysen got the ear of the governor and Minneapolis mayor.
Chef José Andrés offered his passionate perspective on hunger relief to a crowd at the State Theatre in Minneapolis.

Jose Andres talks about the work of World Central Kitchen and its relief effort

Chef José Andrés brought his message about feeding the hungry to the Twin Cities.
José Andrés stirred a giant paella pan in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during a food relief effort following Hurricane Maria in 2017. He created a new mod

How a famous chef became a critical part of worldwide disaster relief

José Andrés makes his mark as a first responder to hunger after disasters.
Chocolate Cream Pie from "Everything Chocolate."

3 decadent chocolate-filled recipes for your Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day around the corner, consider baking your way into someone's heart.
The wood fire grill give the food that smoky flavor.

The Charlie Awards highlight 12 of the best in Twin Cities hospitality

From Outstanding Restaurant to Rising Star, the event celebrates those who delight our palates.
FILE - In this March 21, 2016, file photo Spanish-American chef Jose Andres answers questions during a panel discussion at an event on entrepreneurshi

World renowned chef Jose Andres will visit the Twin Cities this spring

The humanitarian will tell stories from his nonprofit and more.
March 30, 1989 A Scene from Babette's Feast - A film by Gabriel Axel - An Orion Classics Release. - The devout parishioners of a small Danish communit

Minnesota will be the setting for remake of Oscar-winning film 'Babette's Feast'

Is indulgence an evil? Or is too much simplicity? These and other questions are at the core of this food-focused film.
January 1989 A Scene from Babette's Feast - A film by Gabriel Axel - An Orion Classics Release.

Minnesota will be the setting for remake of Oscar-winning film 'Babette's Feast'

Oscar-winner Alexander Payne will direct.
Best International: Bryggen in Bergen, by the Daughters of Norway

A wonderland for the child at heart at Minneapolis' Norway House

Meander the streets of this gingerbread kingdom for plenty of oohs and aahs.
How to carve a turkey, step by step. Step 2.

How to carve a turkey

Whole Roasted Turkey Dinner For Thanksgiving with All the Sides

Hotlines at the ready for Thanksgiving questions

There are no silly questions when it comes to cooking the biggest meal of the year.
Chefs, from left, Alex Roberts, Blake Meier, Ann Kim, Tim McKee, Paul Berglund, Gavin Kaysen and Isaac Becker.

A feast from Minnesota's James Beard award-winning chefs

A look at Taste's playful Halloween covers through the years

The Taste section took its early poster tradition to heart.
Poultrygeist: The nightly what's-for-dinner horror, playing in kitchens everywhere

Poultrygeist: The nightly what's-for-dinner horror, playing in kitchens everywhere

The classic tale of terror for our century (or any century, for that matter) may well be the cook without a dinner plan.
The chefs who prepared the meal for the Taste 50 Birthday Feast: clockwise, starting with Ann Kim, Alex Roberts, Blake Meier, Tim McKee, Paul Berglund

At Taste's 50th birthday, Minnesota's Beard winners party like it's 1969

The jubilee of the Star Tribune's food section offered a communal moment to savor the wonders of the Twin Cities dining scene.
Limoncello Kisses were a previous winner in the Taste cookie contest. Could your recipe be our next winner?

Deadline is Oct. 25 for Taste cookie contest

March 9, 1982 New French Cafe (The) Mike Zerby, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Taste section reflected the way we were

For 50 years, issue after issue, Taste has offered a snapshot of our lives.
September 27, 1979 If Paula Wolfert were a child, she would be described as precocious. But sinc eshe's a 41-year-old author, teacher and promoter of

This word didn't appear in Taste pages until 1988.

This word didn't appear in Taste pages until 1988.
Raisa Gorbachev, the wife of the last Soviet leader, Mikhail S. Gorbachev, visits the Karen and Steve Watson family at their south Minneapolis home du

Remembering when the Soviet Union dropped by Minnesota for tea

The dining room was filled with TV cameras and the whole world was watching as a Minneapolis family served as host.

Overflowing tables and fake ice cream: How food styling has changed in the last 50 years

Food styl­ing re­flects the de­cades, just like any oth­er trend.
The 1988 Bake-Off competition in San Diego.

For 70 years, the Pillsbury Bake-Off has changed how we cook

The annual cooking contest has not only reflected food trends, but created them.
May 16, 1983 Chef Jacques Pepin with one of the Larger Morels. May 13, 1983 Steve Schluter, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Shortcuts with Jacques Pépin

What makes a good dish? Not necessarily the use of homemade ingredients.
March 13, 1993 Critic's choice SUNDAY/ "A Birthday Tribute to Julia Child - Compliments to the Chef" (3:30 p.m., KTCA-Ch. 2) celebrates public TV's fi

In 1995, a visit from Julia Child enthralled the Twin Cities

She thrilled the crowd at Dayton's, who came to meet their TV hero of the kitchen.
A timeline of Taste throughout the years shows how we ate ⁠— and how we lived.

A timeline of Taste throughout the years shows how we ate ⁠— and how we lived.

Year by year, page by page, Taste offered a snapshot of our lives.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Duane Braley and Joel Koyama/Star Tribune--Minneapolis, Mn., Mon., Oct. 25, 2004--Thirty-six Taste covers for 35th anniversary ed

The origins of Taste, a trailblazer of newspaper food sections

Minneapolis Star editors weren't sure there was an audience for a food section. They gave it a shot anyway.
October 7, 1984 Warm Memories: From left, Jobeth Williams, Kevin Kline, William Hurt and Glenn Close portray old college friends who reunite years lat

Two more films with Taste Movie Night at the Heights

Fondue was all the rage in the 1970s, as were low tables.

Decades in the making: 50 years of the Star Tribune's Taste section

From meat boycotts to recessions, low-fat diets to farmers markets and restaurants, our mealtime choices — and options — tell a story.
Chocolate cake make by Rick Nelson photographed in St. Paul, Minn., on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER • renee.jones@startrib

Help us celebrate the Star Tribune Taste section's 50th birthday

You're invited as Taste marks five decades with movies, cake and more.
From left, chefs Alex Roberts, Paul Berglund, Ann Kim, Tim McKee, Isaac Becker, Gavin Kaysen and Blake Meier will be part of Taste's birthday dinner.

A celebration dinner fit for a 50th birthday for the Taste section

Tickets go on sale Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. through the American Swedish Institute.
Farm at the Arb Provided photo

Farm at the Arb offers hay maze and bale bowling for grand opening

Chanterelles and other foraged goodies take center stage at the Northern Foragers Dinner.

Common Roots Cafe offers happy hour with food-friendly discussion

Plus three other food events to consider.
Prince

Celebrate Prince's birthday with a dinner in his honor

The Onyx Culinary Collective is presenting a Prince-inspired meal with vegan and purple foods at the Bird in Minneapolis.
Baker Danny "Klecko" McGleno, who has become a prolific poet, and latest book focuses on the hispanic workers who were part of crew at Saint Agnes Bak

Twin Cities baker turns poet: 'Baking saved me from being incarcerated'

A longtime baker reflects on immigration and the sometimes tumultuous world of the hospitality industry.
Buttermilk and Rosemary brined chicken "Reprinted from Martha Stewart's Grilling: 125+ Recipes for Gatherings Large and Small. Copyright © 2019 by Ma

Step up your grilling repertoire in time for cookout season

The big cookbooks of the year: "Cocktail Codex" was tops on the James Beard Foundation's list; "Season" was named book of the year by the IACP. Christ

The 30 best cookbooks of the year

There are plenty of ideas for mealtime cooking in these terrific volumes.
7 cookbooks (and one memoir) that make perfect Mother's Day gifts

7 cookbooks (and one memoir) that make perfect Mother's Day gifts

Cookbooks, as well as volumes that reflect the lives of those in the culinary world, make the perfect gift for Mom. (And save this list for Father's Day, too.)
(NYT24) NEW YORK -- Oct. 3, 2004 -- GOURMET-COOKBOOK -- Ruth Reichl and Richard Ferretti of Gourmet magazine in the office in New York on Sept. 21, 20

Ruth Reichl's memoir shows the egregious excess of Gourmet magazine

A new memoir by its former editor-in-chief shines a light on the world of high-end magazines -- before the financial market tanked.
Crab Meat and Bacon Hash with Poached Eggs.

3 luxurious egg recipes to star in your Easter brunch

This time of year calls for a celebration of the morning meal.
Andrea-Portrait-3263-credit-Aubrie-Pick

A new Vietnamese cookbook offers fresh look at classic dishes

Andrea Nguyen offers simplified classic Vietnamese dishes in her new book.
Andrea Nguyen will moderate the panel discussion.

Who owns Asian food? Twin Cities chefs' panel tackles 'authenticity'

The Lynhall serves up a discussion on how best to represent food culture.

Want to put your kids to work in the kitchen? Try these new cookbooks

New cookbooks offer recipes for brioche, veggie wraps, popovers, meatballs, ricotta and more.
Walnut-Cauloflower Ground Beef from "Planted Based Meats" by Robin Asbell. Photographs Copyright © 2018 David Paul Schmit”

Plant-based meats find a place at the table in new book

A new book focuses on DIY meat alternatives to make at home.
Gravy takes the starring role in a Thanksgiving meal.

Perfect Thanksgiving is really all about the gravy

This is Thanksgiving's real star attraction.
Illustration by Jennifer Hewitson * Special to the Star Tribune

An unexpected guest arrives at the dinner table of a family celebration

When a family gathered to celebrate a special occasion, the dinner table was the place to be.
roasted turkey with colorful peppers

Hotlines at the ready for Thanksgiving questions

There are no silly questions when it comes to cooking the biggest meal of the year. Just ask these experts.
roasted turkey with colorful peppers

Hotlines at the ready for Thanksgiving questions

There are no silly questions when it comes to cooking the biggest meal of the year. Just ask these experts.

All hail the new green bean casserole

The classic dish gets an update for the modern cook.
Magnus Nilsson. Photograph by Erik Olsson

A Swedish superstar chef turns his attention to baking and comes to Minneapolis

Swedish chef Magnus Nilsson visits the Twin Cities this weekend to talk about his latest opus on Nordic food.
Chocolate Toffee Cookies, Cranberry Cornmeal Shortbread Cookies (winner), German Sour Cream Twists, Limoncello Kisses and Mocha Cappuccino Cookies fro

Go behind the scenes at Taste's Holiday Cookie Contest

Readers asked for a print edition of all the recipes that have won recognition in the Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest. Now the cookbook is here.
René Redzepi, chef and co-founder of Noma in Copenhagen, will appear at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis on Oct. 19.

Noma's Nordic cuisine pioneer (and microbe lover) headed to Twin Cities

Rene Redzepi, whose restaurant frequently has been rated the world's best, brings the chemistry lab into the cook's favorite room.