Kristy Kershaw is a writer and improviser based out of Brooklyn, NY. As a writer, Kristy does a little of everything: blogs, web copy, television promos, you name it. As an improviser, she performs around New York City with her group, Stray. Kristy graduated from Syracuse University with a dual degree in Television, Radio & Film, and Russian. She does speak Russian, but knows little about radio.

Alex is a self-proclaimed food and drink enthusiast. As a native New Yorker, Alex can remember trips to local culinary establishments as long as 15 years ago-- when he was just a boy! The unparalleled cuisine of New York City paired with his mother's wonderful cooking spurred his lifelong interest in food. Not long ago, Alex graduated from the New York Film Academy, where he studied Digital Journalism in association with NBC. There, his journalistic interests flourished and Alex learned the tricks of the trade for video, editing and production in classes taught by senior staff at NBC News.

At Behind the Burner, Alex has been able to harmoniously merge his interests in food and journalism. Alex frequently edits and shoots videos for Behind the Burner. When Alex isn't behind the camera, you can find him tucked away behind his computer editing footage, snacking (for work, of course!) or contributing to the blog. If you still can't find him, just look for the ONLY guy in the office!

Anna is a Brooklyn based arts, culture and food writer. She's written for The New York Times, CLEAR Magazine, Graphis, Photo District News, PopPhoto.com, among others. She's partial to red wine and picnics in the park, and loves exploring New York's food scene.

Kara is a senior at Syracuse University majoring in magazine journalism with a minor in hospitality management. This combination comes from Kara’s love of journalism and the travel industry (with food being a huge part of that!). She has done extensive traveling with her family, including trips to Hong Kong, China, Italy and cities across America. When Kara is not at Syracuse, she’s in her home city of Washington, DC- exploring anything and everything the historical capital city has to offer. In Spring 2010, Kara studied abroad in London, England where she had the incredible opportunity to explore not only England, but also numerous other European countries. After graduating from Syracuse, she hopes to work for a lifestyle or travel magazine.

Joanna Weinstein is a senior at Syracuse University, dual majoring in magazine journalism and English. Although she doesn't know what life after college may be like, she is sure of one thing -- her love of writing and food. Last spring, Joanna studied in Florence, Italy and traveled throughout Europe. While abroad, she lived with an Italian family further realized her love and appreciation for food, wine, and travel. She also contributed to The Florentine, the city's magazine for English, American, and Australian residents. Now, working for Behind the Burner allows her to indulge her two passions: food and writing! When she's not in class or in the office, Joanna loves playing soccer, going to concerts and experimenting with foreign foods. Joanna hopes to someday write a book of her own and work in the media industry.

Christina Licata, a Behind the Burner contributor since October 2008, obtained her B.A. in English Literature and Italian from Arizona State University. Hailing from a Sicilian heritage, she is passionate about fabulous wine, food and cooking. When she's not on the field playing Australian football, Christina writes grants at a non-profit in Brooklyn, New York, where she also teaches English as a Second Language. In the future, Licata hopes to attend culinary school and delve deeper into the world of creative cuisine.

Michael Barthel is a music critic, having written most recently for the website Idolator, and a current PhD student in the communication department at the University of Washington. He was raised in central New York, where the most notable local cuisine involves cooking potatoes in an excessive amount of salt, and subsequently embraced his Southern food heritage, as well as vegetables. He enjoys cooking large cuts of meat and pots of things (stew, soup, curry, beans, etc.). He has been forbidden from owning a deep fryer, which is probably for the best.

Mona was born in Germany, raised in California and now calls Park Slope, Brooklyn home. She studied at the University of California at Davis, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications. In addition to her undergraduate degrees, she holds a Professional Sequence in Editing from the University of California at Berkeley and is pursuing professional study in Magazine Publishing/New Media at New York University. A New York-based freelance lifestyle writer and editor, she has worked in book, magazine and Web publishing and has contributed to CBS Watch! Magazine, CLEAR Magazine, Simply the Best magazine, Peachpit Press, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, among other websites and publications.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Katherine has set her roots in New York where her gastronomical self has flourished. She received her B.A. in Cultural and Media Studies and is currently completing her Master's in Food Culture from New York University. She is delighted to join the Behind the Burner team as a contributing writer.

Mary Ann Porch is a freelance food writer, public relations consultant and event planner in Brooklyn, New York. Contributing to sites such as Puff & Choux, Cupcakes Take the Cake, Examiner.com, Diced (the official blog of the Institute of Culinary Education) and Behind the Burner, Mary Ann covers everything from events, book launches, breaking news and generally anything else that crosses her path in the food world. Mary Ann is also the founder of the New York City chapter of CupcakeCamp NYC, an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and eat cupcakes in an open environment