Author Archives{careysweet}

With almost two decades of writing about food, restaurants and the chefs that make them happen, Carey Sweet has won numerous national restaurant criticism and food writing awards, including First Place in the nation from the Society of Professional Food Journalists.

A near-native of Arizona, Sweet now lives in Sonoma County, splitting her time between Scottsdale and the North Bay, where she is active in professional food and wine memberships and activities.

She is a regular contributor to the San Francisco Chronicle (covering restaurants, food and wine), 944 San Francisco magazine (restaurants, chefs and food), and North Bay publications such as the Bohemian.

In covering Arizona's food industry, she contributes to numerous publications, including a weekly Dining News column for the Arizona Republic, plus regular restaurant reviews and food feature stories for the newspaper and its several affiliate magazines. She has a monthly food feature column in Phoenix Magazine, as well as regularly scheduled restaurant reviews and travel features emphasizing culinary adventures. Additionally, she is the Arizona editor for Gayot Guide's restaurant coverage, and contributes to the North Bay coverage.

A wine lover, she also consults for a boutique winery with vineyards in Chile and Argentina.

Sweet has been a longtime volunteer for C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program), a national organization which provides education, professional chef mentoring, national scholarships and job placement within the restaurant industry for at-risk high school students.

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Sonoma in Bloom – Where to Explore Spring Flowers

3 weeks ago in Green, Insiders Guide.0 Comments

It doesn’t take much effort to enjoy the spectacular spring flowers of Sonoma. Just look around you, as you’re walking through any neighborhood, and enjoying a stroll along a forest, mountain, meadow or vineyard path. Or visit any of the region’s state parks, for a brilliant display rolling across the landscape like a hand-stitched tapestry. With the recent nourishing rains, {…}

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Some Country Flair Makes a Fabulous Statement

1 month ago in Insiders Guide, Weddings.0 Comments

One bride got her photo taken with a horse, the two of them standing in a sun-dappled emerald green pasture, she in her long white dress and the noble equine decorated with wildflowers in its mane. Another couple posed atop a tractor, with baskets of heirloom apples all around and an orchard in the background. With America’s return to locavore {…}

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Well hello, FigCello

1 month ago in Food.0 Comments

When I first heard about FigCello, from Sonoma’s Hello Cello, I licked my lips. Last year, the boutique limoncello producer introduced a delicious version of their Southern Italian-style liqueur but, instead of lemons, this delicious quaff is made with fresh figs straight from Sonoma Valley. The concoction is crafted of black Mission fruit blended with citrus, 14 secret botanicals, and {…}

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Red Car Winery Pulls Out Ahead of the Pack

1 month ago in Tasting Rooms, Wine.0 Comments

Some winemakers start out small, with backyard tastings for friends. But when Red Car owners Carroll Kemp and Mark Estrin released their first wine in 2002, they went straight to the top, selling all 50 cases of their inaugural Syrah to big-time restaurateurs including the wine director of The French Laundry. That first wine came from Santa Barbara County grapes, {…}

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Don’t Cut it Too Close with Salon Appointments

1 month ago in Weddings.0 Comments

And the bride wore black. As in a bag, over her head. All because she hadn’t given enough time or thought to the importance of a pre-wedding salon consultation. While such a result would be rare – professional stylists are professionals for a reason, after all – it’s an act of kindness to both your salon artist and yourself to {…}

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Avast, Mateys – Tall Ships Drop Anchor in Bodega Bay through the 9th

1 month ago in Insiders Guide.1 Comment

If it looks like something is blocking out the sun in Bodega Bay through this weekend, you’re not imagining it. Yesterday, The Tall Ship Lady Washington set anchor at the Spud Point Marina (1818 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay), joining the Tall Ship Hawaiian Chieftain that arrived in the dark hours of Monday night. No, there’s no pirate invasion; the ships {…}

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Dinner’s On at Big Bottom

1 month ago in Food.0 Comments

How’s this sound for supper? Mezze platter with smoked eggplant dip, red pepper hummus, and olives with toasted crostini; Middle Eastern za’taar chicken over rice pilaf and yogurt with cucumbers and red onion; and baklava. Or perhaps you’re in the mood for a ricotta, spinach and black olive tart with an organic green salad; bacon-wrapped meatloaf or lentil meatballs served {…}

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Celebrate Windsor’s Summer Nights on the Green with a Fancier Meal

1 month ago in Food.0 Comments

Imagine relaxing on a warm summer night in your comfy folding chair on the grassy lawn of the Windsor Town Green, listening to your favorite music group playing live. You’ve got a glass of wine or beer from a local vendor who’s set up a booth in the concessions area nearby, and then you think: “Wouldn’t a half-pound spice-rubbed burger {…}

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Party Favors Bring Sweet Surprise

1 month ago in Weddings.1 Comment

Some wedding couples offer hard candies in colors sparkling like jewels and presented in sheer gauzy bags tied with a pretty bow. Others prefer candied almonds, in elegant colors to match the wedding theme. Then, there are the opulent, the bridal-minded who, when planning the special accent to the occasion, think only of the best and choose something entirely memorable {…}

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It Was a Beautiful Buffet… um, Bride

1 month ago in Weddings.0 Comments

All eyes are on the bride at the wedding. But let’s be honest, many minds are on the dinner. Even as the vows are being exchanged, and eyes are tearing up at the beauty of it all, it’s not outrageous to admit that more than a few stomachs are rumbling, too. Yet the easy days of “chicken or beef” are {…}