Rebecca McKinney
I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.
I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.
So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!
Eat well & travel often,
Becky McKinney
I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.
So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!
Eat well & travel often,
Becky McKinney
Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)
- Why Food Makes the Best Gift for a New Mom - April 12, 2023
- 5 Ingredients to Cook With This Spring - March 15, 2023
- 10 Reasons to Dine Out on Valentine’s Day - February 2, 2023
As I’m sitting here, on a Monday, wishing the weekend had just one extra day or so, I am already
thinking about happy hour. It’s super hot here and a refreshing gin and tonic sounds just perfect right now. But here’s the thing, my experience behind the bar at M&D (as many years ago as that
may be now), made me a total cocktail snob. I don’t want just ANY gin and tonic. I’m picky about my gin and I’m picky about my tonic. Tonic is a topic for another today but TODAY, I want to talk to you about my favorite gin – Barr Hill. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to interview Todd Hardie, the man behind the gin. His story was so unique and interesting. Today, I want to share with you all that same story but in his own words. Continue Reading
Every March, I share M&D’s legendary Irish Soda bread story. Can any of you recite it by memory yet?
Shannon McKinney and gave a wonderful week! 
words of our friends, more like a food tour during which two people happened to get married (note: this is actually EXACTLY what we wanted). Our honeymoon was a non-stop decadent meal (this is also exactly what we wanted). That being said, a singular post just won’t do. Instead, I’ve decided on a three post series. One post for the wedding, one for France and one for Croatia. Let’s start at the beginning … our wedding day.