The close of 2023 marked my second year of food writing for The Bulletin.

Over the course of the year, I dabbled in food trends in between writing about recently opened restaurants and food news. I dove further into the stories behind emerging eateries and other food concepts. Reflecting on my articles over the past year, the pieces that stand out are not about the food itself, but the stories connected to it.

I met cookbook authors and wrote about cookbooks. I met contestants on national food competition shows. Two Central Oregonian contestants who competed in separate episodes of season one of Joanna Gaines’ “Silos Baking Competition” met for the first time at The Bulletin as they shared their experiences of baking under pressure on live TV in an interview.

I interviewed businesses featured on episodes of Guy “Fieri’s Diner’s Drive-In’s and Dive’s,” such as Anita’s Kitchen Gourmet Indian Food in Bend and High Camp Taphouse in Sisters.

The article that resonated most with readers over the last year was about Rose Archer’s Luscious Supper Club. Archer has reinvented the fine dining scene with a concept that allows her to create art on a plate while fostering community. The supper club brings 14 strangers together at a table for a five- to six-course meal in Archer’s home. While the food features the host’s culinary talent, it’s not the only reason tickets sell out the same day. It’s Archer’s ability to nourish her guests while setting the stage for new friendships.

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Rose Archer’s Luscious Supper Club

Two articles that were the most fun to write in 2023 were about burgers. In September, I investigated if Bend’s most expensive hamburger is worth $30. Spoiler alert: It’s not. Then I wrote about Bend’s ‘burger guy,’ Josh Cordell and his one-year anniversary of “Burger Friday.” Cordell is still going strong.

I even brought my dog along to weigh in on Central Oregon’s most canine-friendly eateries. Juno didn’t care for J-Dub’s “pooch hooch,” but devoured the pub’s grilled chicken and sweet potato mash bowl so quickly that she didn’t stop to come up for air.

My personal food-related favorite was the heartwarming tale of how Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” reunited Bravo’s Top Chef Brian Malarkey with his sophomore and junior language art teacher at Redmond High School, Dave Perdue. Several years before the episode, Malarkey contacted Perdue to express his appreciation for the encouragement he had received in high school. The note that came 30 years after Malarkey’s graduation. Perdue describes no greater reward than knowing he made a difference in a student’s life.

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‘Guy’s Grocery Games’ reunites celebrity chef and his Redmond High School teacher

To everyone who clicked on one of my stories online or picked up a copy of GO! — thank you. These stories about our community would not be possible without your readership.

Cheers to a new year of great eats in Central Oregon!