Food & Voyage
EK

Elif Kaya

Staff Writer

Elif Kaya is a Staff Writer specializing in City Guides and Recipes. Her narrative-driven approach to food writing was honed during her time as a freelance journalist based in the Aegean. Her work, which has appeared in 'Saveur' and 'Roads & Kingdoms,' focuses on the human stories behind every dish. Elif seeks out the generational recipes and local traditions that define a place, bringing them to life with evocative prose and meticulously tested instructions.

Expertise

Mediterranean CuisineMiddle Eastern FoodwaysFood and Travel NarrativeStreet Food Culture

Coverage Areas

City Guides
Recipes
Journeys

Latest Articles

Diverse group of people joyfully toasting with colorful Pride-themed drinks at a Bay Area restaurant, symbolizing community support and direct impact.
City Guides

Bay Area Eateries Offer Direct-Impact Pride Drinks 2026

This Pride Month, Bay Area diners can sip a 'Harvey Milkshake' or scoop a limited-edition ice cream, knowing $1 from their purchase directly supports LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read

Weber Searwood 600 pellet smoker cooking food with smoke rising, set against a twilight backyard scene.
Recipes

Weber Searwood 600 Among Top Pellet Smokers for Wood-Fired Flavor

The new Weber Searwood 600 arrives with an impressive 180°F to 600°F temperature range and a generous 20 lb pellet capacity.

Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read

Glistening, grilled catfish kabayaki skewers with a dark glaze, presented in a home kitchen setting, highlighting the dish's appetizing texture.
City Guides

Master Catfish Kabayaki: A Simple Preparation Guide

Last year, only 3% of home cooks attempted a Japanese freshwater eel dish.

Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read

A bright and inviting kitchen scene showcasing store-bought hummus surrounded by fresh vegetables, whole grains, and ingredients for preparing a healthy, quick meal.
City Guides

Whip up easy healthy meals using store-bought hummus today.

A single tablespoon of hummus packs a gram of protein, nearly a gram of fiber, and 2.

Jun 8, 2026 · 2 min read

The elegant Naia restaurant on the Chicago Riverwalk at dusk, with glowing lights, diners on the patio, and the city skyline in the background.
City Guides

Naia Opens on Chicago Riverwalk, Offering Greek-Levantine Cuisine

Naia, a sprawling 12,000-square-foot Greek-Levantine restaurant, just opened its doors on the Chicago Riverwalk, marking one of several ambitious new culinary ventures reshaping the city's dining scen

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read

Diverse group of people of all ages working together in a bountiful community garden, sharing smiles and gardening tips.
Recipes

Grandmothers in Bloom shares gardening tips for a green future.

In just three months, the 'Grandmothers in Bloom' online community has blossomed to over 50,000 members, igniting a surprising resurgence of hyper-local, traditional gardening across the country.

Jun 5, 2026 · 3 min read

Diverse new restaurants, including modern Vietnamese and Jewish-inspired eateries, light up a Philadelphia street at dusk, showcasing the city's evolving dining scene.
City Guides

Philadelphia's New Restaurants Opening in June 2026

In June 2026, Philadelphia's dining scene isn't just expanding; it's evolving.

Jun 5, 2026 · 2 min read

A chic Parisian restaurant interior showcasing innovative dishes made with local ingredients, representing the future of the city's dining scene.
City Guides

Food Expert Reveals Future Top Parisian Restaurants

Securing a table at Le Restaurant, helmed by young chef Valentin Raffali, is now one of Paris's toughest culinary feats.

Jun 5, 2026 · 2 min read

Upscale cocktail bar interior with subtle equestrian decor, featuring dark wood, leather, and abstract horse sculptures, evoking refined luxury.
City Guides

Equestrian themes gallop into upscale hospitality for 2026

Pony's, a new cocktail bar, is set to open in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Jun 4, 2026 · 3 min read

A delicious and colorful Sheet Pan Okonomiyaki on a baking sheet, ready to be served, showcasing a quick and healthy weeknight meal.
City Guides

Discover easy weeknight dinners to make right now

Sheet Pan Okonomiyaki, a dish often seen as complex, clocks in under 400 calories a serving and is surprisingly fast to make, according to Good Housekeeping .

Jun 2, 2026 · 2 min read

A close-up of a hand selecting a deep purple heirloom tomato from a colorful display of diverse heirloom tomatoes at a bustling farmer's market.
City Guides

Heirloom vs Hybrid Tomatoes: Flavor or Resilience Explained

While many grocery store tomatoes taste vaguely 'red,' a single bite of a black heirloom can reveal complex, smoky-sweet notes reminiscent of fine wine.

Jun 2, 2026 · 2 min read

A refreshing bowl of Zaru Udon with chilled noodles, dipping sauce, and garnishes, presented on a bamboo mat.
City Guides

Zaru Udon Recipes: Navigating Cold Noodle Variations

One popular Zaru Udon recipe suggests 500g of noodles for two people, while another recommends 450g for four.

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

Eight individual, golden-brown tiny tomato galettes topped with fresh basil and sea salt, presented on a rustic wooden board.
City Guides

How to Make Tiny Tomato Galettes: A Quick Recipe

In just over an hour of active preparation, you can craft eight individual gourmet tomato galettes.

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

A mother breastfeeding her baby in a bright kitchen, with healthy protein foods symbolizing postpartum recovery and nutrition.
City Guides

Study Reveals Higher Protein Needs for Breastfeeding Moms' Recovery

Preliminary results reveal exclusively breastfeeding women, 3–6 months postpartum, need approximately 1.

Jun 1, 2026 · 3 min read

A colorful assortment of fresh summer melons, including cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew, displayed on a bright kitchen counter, ready to be enjoyed.
City Guides

How to store melons to keep them fresh this summer

A perfectly ripe cantaloupe, once sliced, can lose its peak flavor and texture in as little as three days if not stored correctly.

May 28, 2026 · 2 min read

Interior of a luxurious Erewhon grocery store with artfully displayed organic produce and shoppers enjoying a premium shopping experience.
City Guides

Erewhon's $200 VIP membership unlocks exclusive benefits

For $200 a year, Erewhon's new Membership Plus program offers a single free monthly smoothie.

May 28, 2026 · 2 min read

New York City street with restaurants offering specials, showing fewer diners than expected during the World Cup tourism period.
City Guides

World Cup tourism boom falls short for city restaurants

Nearly 300 New York City restaurants have signed up to offer $26 dining and drinking specials, anticipating a World Cup tourism boom that, so far, has failed to materialize in hotel bookings across ma

May 23, 2026 · 5 min read

A colorful array of HelloFresh meal kit dishes including enchiladas, ramen, and a gourmet grilled cheese bar, representing diverse culinary options.
Recipes

HelloFresh Adds New Menu Options to Combat Mealtime Boredom

In spring 2026, HelloFresh presented a culinary tapestry: eight kinds of enchiladas, a dozen takes on ramen, or a whimsical grilled cheese sandwich bar.

May 22, 2026 · 3 min read

A festive table display featuring Mimi's new Shavuot cheesecake menu, including pistachio, tiramisu, and kadaif varieties, ready for holiday celebration.
Recipes

Mimi Launches New Cheesecake Menu for Shavuot

For Shavuot this year, MIMI is launching a dedicated cheesecake menu featuring standout creations like Pistachio, cheesecake and kadaif, and tiramisu cake, according to The Jerusalem Post .

May 22, 2026 · 3 min read

A stylish group of friends enjoying a 'girl dinner' spread of charcuterie, cocktails, and truffle fries at a trendy Kansas City restaurant.
City Guides

Kansas City Expands Culinary Scene Beyond BBQ Favorites

On Thursday nights across Kansas City, restaurants like Incline on 9th and Palm Tree Club offer 'girl dinner' specials, featuring everything from truffle fries and martinis to charcuterie.

May 22, 2026 · 3 min read