My Burning Kitchen started on Blogspot in Feb. 2005 as a way to share my ideas and thoughts about food. Since the pandemic and publishing 88 Hours: Lost and Found, the story about our pup Doctor, the blog has been on hiatus but we’re back again with more adventures to tell — still with food but with more trips.
This blog continues to document our food journeys in San Diego and points in between. On occasion, my husband Paul, a cartoonist and infographics journalist will do a guest post when I’m feeling lazy, uninspired or if he just wants to talk about his love of fish sandwiches.
To get acquainted with me, read some of my favorite posts:
- Why I would never let Dustin Hoffman make me french toast
- What’s this green thing in my brownie?
- A strange conversation at Comic-Con (and it’s food related)
- Font explosion at the Hillcrest Farmers Market
- Farmers Market Uniform — mentioned at The Kitchn
- A “Foodie’s” Dilemma
- Reality Television: My Dinner at Gordon Ramsay’s Hotel Hell
Other notable accolades/awards:
- Profiled on Happy Hour Magazine (Jan./Feb. 2011)
- Photos used on Huffington Post and Endless Simmer
- Judge for Taste TV’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th Annual Tasty Awards
- Guest-blogged at Indie Fixx (Tips to survive cubicle life)
- Featured blogger on Nescafe Dolce Gusto’s Facebook Fan Page (May 2011)
- Listed on The U-T/Signon San Diego as a must follow foodie on Twitter (August 2011)
- 3rd Place for Best Entertainment Website at the San Diego Press Club Awards 2011
- Top 12 short list candidate for Richmond, British Columbia’s 365 Days Dining campaign
In the past, I’ve written restaurant reviews for Mission Publishing Group covering Mission Valley, La Mesa and College area and helped launch Zagat San Diego until Zagat was sold to The Infatuation in 2018 and also contributed to Thrillist San Diego and Eater San Diego. I was also the channel leader for Tree.com’s now defunct Food & Dining Channel editing posts, contributing stories and taking video.
Thanks for visiting and happy eating!
Darlene
darleneeats(at)gmail.com
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The opinions expressed on My Burning Kitchen are entirely my own (and sometimes Paul’s) and do not reflect the opinions of anyone else. Occasionally, I succumb to peer pressure.

