Wednesday, February 8, 2012
My name is Denise, and I guess you might call me the dining diva for Kankakee County.
Like many people, I enjoy eating out. Like any good journalist, I love having the latest scoop and sharing it with others.
That's especially true when it comes to news about my favorite subjects -- food and restaurants, and that passion led me to volunteer to write a weekly restaurant column for The Daily Journal, the local newspaper.
Thankfully, they said "yes," and Best Bites started in December 2007. It runs every Thursday, and you can read the recent columns here.
As I gathered information about different restaurants and food-related businesses in the area, I realized I need a different way to share the information with readers. That's when I created an online map of businesses I've profiled. The interactive map shows you every business I've written about, and includes information such as their phone number, hours, Web site, specials, and more. It's also organized by the type of business: restaurant, restaurant/bar, coffee shop, etc. I hope you find it helpful.
When I started writing the column I confess that I wasn't sure I would have enough to write about. Happily, I was wrong. In fact, I pick up news all the time, more than I can include in print. But thanks to the Internet, where space is free, I can write as much as I want, and so I now post information daily on my blog.
The blog is also a convenient place for readers to leave their own comments, and feedback from readers is one of the most enjoyable parts of this job. As it turns out, everyone eats out, and everyone has an opinion on it! I hear regularly from readers who email or call with recommendations and tips. Sometimes readers even call me looking for suggestions, and I'm more than happy to give them my two cents.
If you have any food news to share, or a comment or question, please email me or give me a call at 815.937.3374.
Bon appetit!
Denise Renckens