Yes, welcome new year. We needed you bad, even if only as a marker of time. However, remain clear, we are still in the middle of a pandemic and waiting for the expected holiday surge of cases in the weeks ...

Thanks to all who have expressed interest in joining the AmNewsFOOD team. I am truly excited by the breadth of voices to bless the page and we want more.

Food plus tech has me beyond excited every day to do what I do.

Well…we made it to the end of this (say it with me) unprecedented year. It was definitely a year of firsts and way too many lasts for too many people.

It was about this time last year when I was knee-deep in my culinary producer work for “Hot Ones the Game Show” in Atlanta.

Whether you are alone, with your pod or immediate family, or you have chosen to literally risk-it-for-the-biscuit to travel for Thanksgiving, we all have much for which to be thankful.

My “thank you” this week goes to my sister, Heather, who came in for a strong week of assist with our mother’s recovery.

My joy this week, of course, surrounds the much-needed emotional relief of this election. Congratulations President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris (my Harris “cousin”).

Well…our COVID infection rate in New York is almost at 2%. The rise was expected with the colder weather, but remain vigilant and do all being asked of you to keep you and yours safe and healthy.

Thank you to all who are staying vigilant in these unpredictable times. Wearing a mask has nothing to do with religion or politics.

This week, I thank my bubble of friends and family. If you do not have one, I strongly encourage you to start building one.

In preparation for the spike in cases of COVID-19 we face, I return my weekly “thank you” to first responders, healthcare professionals and essential workers.

Whether you are making the dynamite chicken white bean ragu in this week’s Talking SCHOP! or another dish calling for cut pieces of meat, try this SCHOP! Tip

This week’s “thank you” goes to you, our readers, just for being you right now, in this moment.

This week I send my gratitude, again, to all essential and frontline workers. Your work is forever stored in our collective memories.