When I was 24 years old, I moved into Gracie Mansion to live with Ed Koch. The year was 1977 and my boss-to-be had just become the Mayor of New York City

On this list was world-renowned chef Jerry Traunfeld, formerly of The Herbfarm just outside of Seattle. The venue was a converted cottage seating just 32, literally the nucleus of an herb farm on 17 acres near the Cascade mountain range.

We have indeed entered the era of the celebrity farmer. But all over the country, small farmers -- some of whom have been at it for decades with scant recognition -- are finding themselves catapulted to rock-star status.

If you needed more proof that recent years have seen food culture creep into public consciousness like never before, then just check out Mental Floss ...

An organic dinner of farm raised ingredients. A table full of jovial guests and local wine. A summer night to appreciate good food and where it comes from.

It's not Thomas Keller's responsibility to help save the planet (though many chefs have taken on this calling with great ambition). But focusing solely on the aesthetics and disclaiming any other responsibility altogether is a cop-out.

As much as you cringe at the word "foodie" - and don't we all? - there are moments that it's worth pretending you're one.

Have you ever killed your dinner? I did a few times in the last year, but I don't think I'm going to bother anymore.

[T]here is a ubiquitous phrase that we're very ready to say good-bye to: farm-to-everything. (Credit to Frank Bruni, the New York Times's newest Op-Ed...

there is no need to panic if you find out a vegetarian is attending your Memorial Day bar-b-que. We are regular people, and we eat lots of food.

Discovering Hermitage Bay in Antigua shattered a few preconceived notions I held about the slow food movement. I assumed it primarily preached in our little urban bubbles. I'm happy to say, I was dead wrong.

Joan Gussow is known as the matriarch of the local food movement. One year ago this week, Joan's garden was devastated by a massive storm and flood.