Joyce LaFray, acknowledged to be one of the country’s foremost food experts, has earned plaudits for her ability to educate and entertain in a cornucopia of media settings. Restaurant reviewer, author, lecturer, and editor, Joyce has developed a rapidly growing, enthusiastic group of fans who follow her food paths in Florida and throughout the country.

Her readers have faithfully followed her exploits and adventures in the fields of food, wine, and travel, via a myriad number of cookbooks and restaurant guides. Joyce was food editor of Creative Loafing, contributor to Bon Appetit, Where magazine, the Tampa Bay Times and many other newspapers and magazines. She has been spokesperson for Goldkist (Young and Tender Chicken), Appleton Rum, Dining Out, Publix Supermarkets and a variety of other food products.

As a travel writer, Joyce has been a guest of a number of governments: Italy, Spain, France and the Caribbean. She is a member of the James Beard Foundation, the International Association of Culinary Professionals and the Southeastern Independent Booksellers.

Some of the honors and awards bestowed on her efforts include a 1995 proclamation from the Mayor of the City of Miami for her excellence and dedication to food journalism and a "Joyce LaFray Day," as "Best Cookbook Publisher," from Macy's Department Stores, certificates of appreciation from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, "Best of State Award" for her contribution to Florida's Adult Education Program.

Educationally, a daughter of a Home Economics teacher, Joyce attended the University of Loyola, Rome, and the University of Dayton, Ohio.

For more information about Joyce, please visit her blog at www.joycelafray.com