Naomi Kooker grew up in a Hostess Twinkie household, which she converted to a carrot cake family by the age of 12. 

Since interviewing restaurant tycoon Richard Melman (Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises) and uncovering the nuances of Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate for Art Culinaire in 1994, Naomi has traveled far and wide to find stories and write about food and wine for various publications.

Naomi is the Boston Editor for Zagat dining guide, the former Food Editor for the MetroWest Daily News and a former staff reporter for the Boston Business Journal, covering philanthropy, travel and tourism, and hospitality--the business side of wining and dining. 

She’s written and reported stories for television, radio and the Web. 

Naomi teaches food writing at mediabistro.com, and has taught writing at Regis College, grub street and Boston University. 

Boston Restaurant Zagat Guide 2008/2009, which Naomi helped edit, is a Top Ten Local Bestseller. -Boston Sunday Globe

Naomi's training as a sous chef in Manhattan laid the groundwork for her focus on food journalism.