Laura Donohue

I am a food writer, photographer and cook. I also teach cookery. I have been a professional writer for over 25 years. Early in my career I cooked at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA, and subsequently ran my own kitchen in Palo Alto. I am always seeking new writing commissions for quality food publications, especially features requiring research and/or recipe writing.

Professions

Chef, Cookery teacher, Copywriter, Feature writer, Food and travel writer, Food stylist, Other, Recipe writer, Restaurant reviewer

Special subjects

Flavour; producers; sustainability and biodiversity in agriculture, especially lesser-known varieties of vegetables and fruits; cookbooks; food in literature; food memoir; food and gender; recipe development.

I write researched and memoir-based stories about how food gets to our tables. I am especially interested in those who grow it, and cook it (especially in the home).

Regular work

I regularly update my blog, Crumbs on the Table. Until recently I wrote (and photographed) a four-page monthly column (with recipes and topical story) for Cambridge Magazine; and before that, a full-spread food column for Cambridge News. I am a regular guest on BBC Radio Cambridge's Food and Drink Hour. I teach cookery privately (and until recently, at Baythorne Hall Cookery School in Suffolk). I write occasional restaurant reviews for olive magazine. I operate Cottage Garden Cookery from my home kitchen in Cambridge, and offer private catering. As well as writing commissions, I am also interested in collaborations with other cooks for events; and in doing more teaching.

Advisory boards / Awards

My blog, Crumbs on the Table, has three times been a finalist in the Guild of Food Writers Blog of the Year awards (2019, 2018 and 2015). I was a finalist in the 2019 Pink Lady Food Photography Awards (Food Blogger category, and also shortlisted in 2018 and in 2015 (in the Food Blogger and Politics of Food categories). I served as a juror for the Guild of Food Writers Restaurant Writing award in 2018; and as a judge for the Cambridge News Food and Drink Awards (Local Food Hero category), in 2017 and 2016.

Languages spoken

Passable French, modest Norwegian, beginner's Italian.

Commercial interest

I am also interested in commercial writing commissions in the food and drink sector. I have significant experience writing marketing and informational materials in various sectors, for different audiences. Samples available.