At it’s most basic, food is nothing more than fuel to complete daily tasks. I’m as guilty as anyone of not stopping to actually taste what I am putting into my mouth between classes and work. But Lucca is the kind of restaurant that reminds you why it is such a cherished tradition to enjoy, experience, and savor the food we put into our bodies. Recently, a friend of mine moved to Des Moines from Chicago, and when we made … Read More
Fresh Pickings
I think everyone can agree, there is something about coming home. No matter the age, coming home is so beautifully comforting. The smells, sights, and voices of the familiar put me at ease the moment I step foot inside my house. What brought me home this weekend was my cousin, Curtis. Born only two months apart and raised in the same town, we have a relationship that is both cousin and close friend. He spent the summer in Quito, Ecuador, … Read More
Breakfast Dilemmas
Breakfast. In my opinion, one of the most glorious times of the day. I’m a morning person by nature, made even more so by a few cups of strong coffee. My favorite mornings are those when I am able to sit and have a long breakfast, usually stretching over a couple hours, while watching the Today Show and reading the paper. But beyond coffee, breakfast can also present some challenges, because what is consumed in the morning usually sets the … Read More
Love + Hate
Cookbooks and I have somewhat of a complex relationship. They are both loved and hated simultaneously. In my tiny room, amid limited desk space, the top shelf is lined with everything from Cooking with Les Dames d’Escoffier to The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook. I’ve spent hours curled up in front of the TV with cookbooks, enamored as much with the photos as the recipes themselves. In these books I find inspiration for new recipes, but I have a confession……very rarely do … Read More
Today marks my last “first day” of classes….ever! I can hardly believe that my last semester of college is here. As a way to celebrate the last weekend of summer, I made a trip up to Minnesota to visit my best friend and have a relaxing weekend of good food, shopping, and catching up before classes. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of many of the great things we ate this weekend! I’m still growing accustomed to the idea of … Read More
Cafe di Scala
I had the most delicious dinner tonight at Cafe di Scala, made even better with the company of some amazing ladies at Better Homes and Gardens and Meredith Corporation. The lovely Maggie organized the dinner as a way to celebrate my summer internship, since it ends tomorrow! I can hardly believe the summer has gone so fast and I will be starting school again next week. Thankfully I will be staying on at Better Homes and Gardens this fall on … Read More
Birthday Cupcakes
At Better Homes and Gardens, we like to celebrate birthdays. And it’s shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that we do it with food! Our amazing editorial assistant in Food and Entertaining, Renee, is celebrating a birthday so tomorrow we are all bringing treats. My contribution? Cupcakes of course! I think I am going to name these cupcakes “Maria.” They are spice cupcakes filled with raspberry preserves and topped with vanilla frosting. I also added handmade gum paste flowers … Read More
The Power of Food
I’m often amazed at the power food has in our lives. It’s not what drew me to food in the first place, but as I’ve gotten older, this power is what has kept my mind and heart drawn to food. When I was little, the most important thing food provided me was a creative outlet. Since I am not a particularly crafty person, my artwork is made in the kitchen. I attribute much of my cooking ability to my mother, … Read More
Contact
I absolutely love getting e-mails from my readers and am happy to help however I can! E-mail me: madisonjanemayberry@gmail.com Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MadisonMayberry
About Me
Hi. I’m Madison. I’m a 22-year-old Midwesterner and the voice behind Espresso and Cream. During the day, I’m a food editor. It goes without saying that I love to cook and bake, and I’m happiest when I’m in the kitchen. I’m a exercise junkie, recently-converted vegetarian to the chagrin of my boyfriend, magazine fanatic, and an animal lover who desperately wants to buy a puppy, if only I could solve the white couch dilemma. I don’t like pretentious, fussy, or … Read More
FAQ
Sure, you’re a food editor, but what does that really mean? I get this question a lot! It seems that the title stirs up a lot of confusion and a few raised eyebrows. After interning for Meredith Corporation‘s Better Homes and Gardens magazine I stayed on as a food editor after graduation where I worked with a bunch of really awesome people doing cool stuff, like eating and thinking about food. In July of 2010 I accepted a position in … Read More