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Small Bites

A column about exploring the broader world of food and drink in Madison through approachable and specific experiences.

Photo of slenderly sliced pieces of medium-done steak sitting on a wooden cutting board. A kitchen knife sits on the board behind the steak with the blade facing away from the camera. Bordering this photo is a red and white checkered tablecloth illustration. In the lower left corner of this illustrated frame is a small chef with an oversized mustache standing on a spoon. The chef's speech bubble reads "Small Bites."

Small Bites: The moral cost of meat

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Small Bites
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January 23, 2026

How a bad dream prompted more intentional eating in the new year.

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A close-up photo of several cloves of garlic, haphazardly peeled and scattered on a dark surface. Bordering this photo is a red and white checkered tablecloth illustration. In the lower left corner of this illustrated frame is a small chef with an oversized mustache standing on a spoon. The chef's speech bubble reads "Small Bites."
Small Bites: How much garlic is too much garlic?
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Small Bites
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December 19, 2025

With "double the garlic" dominating social media, it's time to reevaluate your recipes.

Overhead view of a mixed salad in a grey-green bowl on a dark marble countertop. The bowl contains slices of roasted squash, walnuts, arugula, and croutons. Bordering this photo is a red and white checkered tablecloth illustration. In the lower left corner of this illustrated frame is a small chef with an oversized mustache standing on a spoon. The chef's speech bubble reads "Small Bites."
Small Bites: To make it through the fall, roast your vegetables
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Small Bites
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November 14, 2025

A low-effort guide to bringing maximum flavor to your table when seasonal produce is limited.

A close-up photo of the author's cheeseboard. It contains snacking portions of (baguette) bread, cured meat, soft and blue cheeses, grape clusters, and fig spread in small packaged containers all carefully arranged. Bordering this photo is a red and white checkered tablecloth illustration. In the lower left corner of this illustrated frame is a small chef with an oversized mustache standing on a spoon. The chef's speech bubble reads "Small Bites."
Small Bites: How to make a cheeseboard
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Small Bites
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October 17, 2025

An informative guide to an affordable luxury while ICE terrorizes the United States.

Photo of a bag of frozen falafel locally prepared by Banzo, a pantry staple for the author's disabled household. The green bag with yellow and white text reading "Hand-made Mediterranean Banzo Original Falafel" sits upright on a kitchen counter cutting board in front of some knives mounted on a rack. Bordering this photo is a red and white checkered tablecloth illustration. In the lower left corner of this illustrated frame is a small chef with an oversized mustache standing on a spoon. The chef's speech bubble reads "Small Bites."
Small Bites: Cooking while disabled
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Small Bites
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September 19, 2025

Rebuilding kitchen habits for good days and bad days alike.

A professional photo of a table arrangement at an upscale restaurant at a slight angle. Several small plates with silverware and appetizers sit atop a thick wooden countertop. A wine glass with an orange-looking beverage sits in between the plates. Behind them, in the background and to the left, are various boxes and containers that are out of focus. Bordering this photo is a red and white checkered tablecloth illustration. In the lower left corner of this illustrated frame is a small chef with an oversized mustache standing on a spoon. The chef's speech bubble reads "Small Bites."
Small Bites: The joy of a fancy dinner
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Small Bites
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August 22, 2025

Why service standards are important for any dining experience.

A close-up photo of half of a handmade pizza fresh out of the oven. It is sitting on a metal cooling rack. The crust is slightly burnt. Bordering the photo is a red and white checkered tablecloth illustration. In the lower left corner of this illustrated frame is a small chef with an oversized mustache standing on a spoon. The chef's speech bubble reads "Small Bites."
Small Bites: Pizza madness
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Small Bites
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July 25, 2025

Squaring one man's obsession with regional pizza styles against all social odds.

A photo of a white ceramic dinner plate that is filled with freshly prepared cat ear noodles. The dish includes small, flat pasta with chopped onions, chopped peppers, and sauce. Bordering the photo is a red and white checkered tablecloth illustration. In the lower left corner of this illustrated frame is a small chef with an oversized mustache standing on a spoon. The chef's speech bubble reads "Small Bites."
Small Bites: The cure for aesthetic convergence
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Small Bites
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June 20, 2025

Avoid homogenous dining experiences by seeking out unassuming hand-pulled noodle spots.

A photo of the Muskellounge and Sporting Club's wooden outdoor patio captures a few guests eating and drinking in the warm weather. An illustrated frame around it displays a red checkered tablecloth with different foods. In the lower left corner, a spoon holds a small chef with an oversized mustache. The chef's speech bubble reads "Small Bites."
Small Bites: Fine dining for the masses
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Small Bites
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May 23, 2025

Why casual dining concepts from high-end chefs are important.

A photo shows a small dog napping on an outdoor couch. The photo is framed with an illustration of a red plaid tablecloth with food items. In the lower-left corner, a small chef with an oversized moustache standing on a spoon says "Small Bites" in a speech bubble.
Small Bites: The high-value food theory of cooking
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Small Bites
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April 18, 2025

Consider the value of a little food hack, even in the wake of erratic tariff policies.