With a writing career spanning over a decade, Liz SanFilippo Hall has written about everything from the correct way to assemble a Chicago-style hot dog to the intricate flavors and plating styles of Michelin-star European restaurants. Liz loves discovering new places and flavors to share with her readers, whether it’s the sandy shores of Lake Michigan and the foodie town of Traverse City or the vineyards and small towns of France. She hopes her stories inspire people to travel, try new dishes and ingredients, and learn about the history and culture of a place through its food and meeting the locals.

A graduate of The University of Chicago’s Master’s in Humanities/Creative Writing, she has a knack for combining research with her personal travel/food stories. Some of her most memorable food and travel experiences include slurping fresh French oysters at a market in Cognac, hunting for black truffles in the stunning Umbrian countryside, heading off the beaten path of the Amalfi Coast to find a Michelin-starred restaurant only known to locals, visiting the largest underground church in all of Europe, exploring the catacombs of Paris, and touring the vineyards of Northern Michigan, which is on the 45th latitude just like France’s Côtes du Rhône wine region.

In addition to her blog posts on The International Kitchen, her writing has been featured on CBSLocal.com and Hot Doug’s: The Book, among other sites and publications. She also writes about parenting, self care, and how to travel with kids (and maintain your sanity) on her personal blog, www.OopsandDaisies.com. She currently writes in the western suburbs of Chicago, where she lives with her two young children, husband, and stubborn bulldog named Kafka.


Posted

July 20, 2017

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

A Must See on Any Foodie's Travel Bucket List: Bordeaux

Filed Under  Destination Features, Travel Tips

Paris and Provence tend to be the two most-requested destinations when booking a cooking vacation to France. But one foodie destination that is increasingly drawing attention is situated in the country's southwest: Bordeaux. Known for its legendary wines and surrounding stunning vineyards, the historic city is becoming more of a tourist destination in no small part to the La Cité du Vin, an immersive museum that's been called an amusement… Read
Post

Posted

January 20, 2017

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

A Pork with Grapes and Wine Recipe from our Napa Valley Guide

Filed Under  Destination Features, Recipes

Napa Valley might be best known for its wine, but it's also a great destination for a foodie tour. During Napa Valley food and wine tours with The International Kitchen, you'll be treated to gourmet dishes paired with local wines. In other words, matches made in heaven! You'll also have a true insider - Diane di Filipi - as your guide into this part of the country, making it a… Read
Post

Posted

January 6, 2017

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

6 Often Over-Looked But Not to Miss Cooking Vacations

Filed Under  Destination Features, Travel Tips

We often get inquiries about destinations that people hear about a lot… places like Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and Provence in France. While we adore those regions very much, there are some other places that hold special places in our hearts, ones that are too often overlooked. Many of these are off the beaten path, but that only makes them more unique. Whether you've traveled a lot,… Read
Post

Posted

January 5, 2017

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

5 Tips for Dining Out in Italy

Filed Under  Destination Features, Travel Tips

Food, of course, is a staple wherever you go. But the customs that come with dining are different just about everywhere you go too. For starters, when visiting Italy, it's worthwhile to know that dinner tends to be later there than in the U.S., and often starts anywhere between 7:30 and 9pm. (And this is true of much of Europe too). It's also important to make reservations whenever you can… Read
Post

Posted

January 2, 2017

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

How Do I Choose a Cooking Vacation?

Filed Under  Travel Tips, What's Up at TIK

One of our favorite ways to discover a place: through it's food of course! We know that when it comes to travel and food there are so many opportunities to explore, so much so that it can be a bit overwhelming when it comes to deciding on a trip! But with more than 20 years of experience in culinary tourism, we're happy to help you figure out what YOU are… Read
Post

Posted

December 23, 2016

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Christmas Eve Memories and Traditions Around the World

Filed Under  Special Occasions, What's Up at TIK

While the Christmas season begins well before December 24 in many parts of the world -- December 8 in Italy, the Day of the Immaculate Conception; and December 6 in France, the Feast of St. Nicholas, for example -- it's Christmas Eve that marks the beginning of the major Christian holiday for many. For my family growing up, it meant heading over to my Irish grandmother's house where she'd always… Read
Post

Posted

December 21, 2016

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Christmas Muffins from Chef Katerina in Greece

Filed Under  Recipes, Special Occasions

We love our Greek cooking vacations, and think anything Greek is sure to please. And when it comes to the Christmas holiday in Greece, there are traditions galore -- and many of them surround food! Many of them too relate to keeping bad spirits -- known as "kallikantzaroi' - away. These kallikantzaroi, as the stories go, get in through the chimney and make trouble by doing things like putting out… Read
Post

Posted

December 9, 2016

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Praline Macaron Recipe

Filed Under  Cooking Videos, Recipes

Macarons aren't only delicious, but they're also a beautiful dessert, one that often graces tables around France come the holiday season (and all year round for that matter). They can be used as part of other desserts, like a Buche de Noel (Christmas log) or enjoyed all on their own. While they may take some time to master, they're well worth it… Here's just one of our favorite recipes come… Read
Post

Posted

December 7, 2016

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Le Réveillon in France for Christmas Eve and a Roasted Fig Recipe

Filed Under  Destination Features, Recipes, Special Occasions

The French know gourmet cuisine, which is why we feature so many culinary vacations in France. This is no more evident than on the holidays. Le Réveillon is one of the biggest meals of the year, and it's served on Christmas Eve following midnight mass. Yes, you read that right - it takes place after midnight; hence the word 'réveillon' means 'awakening' as the dinner often goes into the early… Read
Post

Posted

December 5, 2016

By Liz SanFilippo Hall

Ile Flottante (or Floating Island) Recipe on a French Cooking Vacation

Filed Under  Recipes, Special Occasions

When it comes to Christmas celebrations in France, a lot of traditions revolve around food, and you can learn them on a French cooking vacation with The International Kitchen. A lot of those French food traditions revolve around dessert. After all, Provence has their 13 desserts for Christmas Eve! In terms of classic French desserts come the holidays, it's often the Buche de Noel (or Christmas Yule Log) that's talked… Read
Post