Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, Nicole Pallante’s most cherished childhood moments revolved around food—cooking, eating and celebrating as a family. Influenced by Italian and Southern cuisine, her passion continues with her highly successful blog, A Local Choice. Now based in Columbus Ohio, travel with Pallante as she explores the country’s greatest farms sourcing the best in local produce for a vast array of memorable dishes.

Name: Nicole Pallante
Blog: aLocalChoice.Blogspotcom
Founded: 2011
Twitter: @aLocalChoice
Instagram: @alocalchoice

Describe your cooking style in three words: Local. Seasonal. Adaptable.

What’s your signature dish? Without a doubt, “Grandpa’s Mac & Cheese.” This family recipe tastes like a combination of grilled cheese and tomato soup and is pure comfort food. I did take the liberty of updating the ingredients a bit, replacing the cheese selections with local options.
 
What do you think is the most underrated ingredient? Garlic! While it is never the star of the show, garlic is in almost every savory recipe I prepare and adds a world of flavor.  

What’s the best cooking advice you’ve ever received? Seasoning can make or break a recipe.  

If you could share a meal with anyone in history who would it be? David Chang.  While watching the Mind of a Chef series, I became enamored with David’s approach to food and cooking. I would love the opportunity to spend a day learning and experimenting in his kitchen and, of course, enjoying a bowl of Momofuku ramen. Plus, those dimples... C’mon!
 

Images courtesy of aLocalChoice.Blogspot.com