“As a blogger about food and restaurants in Baltimore, I have to admit that I just sit back dumbfounded at the sheer energy pouring forth on Charm City Cook. That the blog is also so well written and charming — and well-paced — is really kind of flabbergasting. And you would think it would make me kind of professionally annoyed. But the fact is I really love it.”
- Richard Gorelick, The Baltimore Sun

“Amy’s dedication, devotion and downright DELIGHTFUL insights on Baltimore, food, dining and culture are undeniable. The humor and merriment of her adoration toward one of America’s most genuine cities will have you hooked immediately, however it’s her definitive, dead-on and authoritative voice on taste, craft and custom that will keep you reading and sharing. She’s quickly become my personal resource for Baltimore and beyond.”
- Noah Fecks, Photographer, Author, “The Way We Ate”

“Charm City Cook is one of the best and most enjoyable resources for food & drink news and reviews in the Baltimore area. Be it craft beer & cocktails, haute cuisine or simply a great crabcake - Amy knows not just where to find them but also the brewers, bartenders & chefs behind them.”
- Jon Zerivitz, Co-Founder, Union Craft Brewing

“Amy is one of the most genuinely passionate people I know. From raising her urban chickens and making delectable brownies to exploring Baltimore’s evolving food scene, Charm City Cook seamlessly captures her love for all things edible. It’s the perfect blog for folks who want to get the honest truth about Baltimore, its food, and the people behind it.”
- Dave Seel, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Bagby Restaurant Group

“Amy helps connect more chefs and restaurants together than anyone I know in Baltimore. People that follow her Instagram see the best of everything from each restaurant that she visits.”
- Jonah Kim, executive chef, PABU (located adjacent to Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore)

“Amy is a breath of fresh air in the local foodie community. Her commitment to promoting and appreciating the local food scene is undeniable—from posting pictures bright and early at the Waverly Farmers’ Market to reviewing craft cocktails at the latest restaurant opening. Her blog and various forms of social media are great avenues to stay informed about the Baltimore food scene, in the most fun and charming way possible.”
- Jess Blumberg Mayhugh, senior editor, Baltimore magazine

“Charm City Cook is simply delightful. Amy’s passion for the food industry and every avenue it encompasses is obvious, to say the least. Grab a drink or visit the farmers market with her and you’ll find yourself as excited and awe-struck. Amy looks at every detail of an experience – from ingredients to presentation to personality – and finds the wonder in it. Mutual respect goes a long way in the restaurant community and Amy has befriended many simply because of her ability to find and tell a story of the admirable qualities of each and every place she visits, dish she tries, or person she talks to. Amy has managed to become a resource for not only readers, but for the food community of Baltimore and beyond. On top of all this? The self-described “food nerd” makes one killer brownie.”
- Megan Palmer, director of PR for Michael Mina Group

 

Food is Good from Charm City Cook on Vimeo.

I grew up in rural Baltimore County, and now I live in the heart of
Baltimore City. This suburban-to-urban migration has influenced nearly
every aspect of my life as a food writer and cook. For instance, I am always on
the lookout to try new recipes and distinctive combinations of ingredients —
and I raise chickens in the backyard of my Hampden rowhouse.
Also, when it comes to the food I put on the table, I choose only fresh and
locally grown ingredients whenever possible and do most of my shopping
at a nearby farmer’s markets. My grandparents were farmers, so they went
‘local’ before it was a movement. I guess I’m following in their footsteps.

I’ve always been interested in cooking, but I didn’t get serious about
it until after a trip to France several years ago. During the trip, I
had a culinary epiphany, brought on in part by having the chance to
spend time with Ina Garten, one of my food and entertaining faves,
while visiting a friend in Paris. When I got back to Baltimore, I was
so inspired. And ready to cook!

One of the things I love best about cooking is that you can constantly
learn new things and make exciting discoveries in the process. For
example, while trying to find a dessert that appealed to me, I created
my Charm City Cook Salted Caramel Brownies. I’m not a huge sweets
person, so the combination of ingredients — three kinds of chocolate,
sea salt and caramel (along with eggs from my own backyard Ameraucana
hens) seemed like the perfect mix for a decadent, yet down-to-earth
fudgy brownie.

Currently, Charm City Cook Salted Caramel Brownies are sold at Ma
Petite Shoe on 36th Street in Hampden, and are packaged in attractive
compostable boxes ready for gift giving.