Elif Kaya

Staff Writer

Elif Kaya is a Staff Writer specializing in City Guides and Recipes. Her narrative-driven approach to food writing was honed during her time as a freelance journalist based in the Aegean. Her work, which has appeared in 'Saveur' and 'Roads & Kingdoms,' focuses on the human stories behind every dish. Elif seeks out the generational recipes and local traditions that define a place, bringing them to life with evocative prose and meticulously tested instructions.

Expertise

Mediterranean CuisineMiddle Eastern FoodwaysFood and Travel NarrativeStreet Food Culture

Coverage Areas

City Guides
Recipes
Journeys

Latest Articles

A close-up of a delicious Strawberry Shortcake Roll, showcasing fresh strawberries and whipped cream, with a hint of a TikTok recipe on a phone screen in the background.
Recipes

Strawberry Shortcake Roll: Fastest-Growing Dessert Trend

The 'Strawberry Shortcake Roll' recipe exploded on TikTok, racking up over 50 million views in a week.

Jun 27, 2026 · 3 min read

A sharp chef's knife resting on a textured wooden cutting board, symbolizing the best protection for kitchen knives.
Recipes

Wood & Poly Cutting Boards Protect Knives Best

One user's cutting board warped beyond repair in the dishwasher, mashed reported.

Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read

The elegant facade of the now-closed Michelin-starred restaurant La Palme d'Or in Cannes, with a hint of the bustling French Riviera atmosphere nearby.
City Guides

Cannes Dining Scene in Flux After Michelin Star Closure

Just weeks before the peak season, the Michelin-starred La Palme d'Or, a Cannes institution for 40 years, abruptly announced its permanent closure, sending shockwaves through the local dining scene.

Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read

A vibrant restaurant interior showcasing a modern counter-service model with efficient operations and a positive atmosphere.
City Guides

Restaurants embrace counter service to boost sustainability in 2026

Faced with soaring post-pandemic costs, one restaurant owner is betting on a counter-service model to provide competitive wages and healthcare for employees, even as it reduces overall staff numbers.

Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read

A sophisticated outdoor summer dinner party featuring a vibrant bowl of chilled Sweet Potato Vichyssoise as a refreshing and elegant starter.
Recipes

Easy Cold Soup Recipes for Summer are a Refreshing Staple

Forget the grill: a chilled Sweet Potato Vichyssoise can elevate a summer dinner party with surprising elegance, requiring less effort than a typical main course.

Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read

A generous serving of creamy lemon zucchini pasta, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon zest, sits on a rustic wooden table, ready to be enjoyed.
City Guides

This Creamy Lemon Zucchini Pasta Recipe Serves Six

A new Creamy Lemon Zucchini Pasta recipe, poised to be a culinary highlight, demands a surprising three pounds of thinly sliced zucchini.

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read

A bowl of freshly made Green Goddess dressing with visible herbs, ready to be served on a salad.
City Guides

Whip up a 5-minute Green Goddess dressing recipe

Imagine a vibrant burst of flavor, ready in just five minutes.

Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read

A refreshing Fresh Tomato Michelada in a salt-rimmed glass, garnished with fresh tomato slices and a lime wedge, with a vibrant background.
City Guides

Fresh Tomato Michelada: The Trend, Tradition, and Nutrition

Last week, a single TikTok video featuring a 'Fresh Tomato Michelada' recipe sent fresh tomato sales soaring by 30% in major US cities.

Jun 15, 2026 · 4 min read

A close-up of a rich, elegant 2-ingredient chocolate mousse in a glass ramekin, ready to be enjoyed.
City Guides

Whip up easy 2 ingredient chocolate mousse recipe quickly

Forget whisking egg whites and tempering chocolate: a new recipe reveals you can make a rich, elegant chocolate mousse using just two main ingredients.

Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read

Vermont teenagers collaborating and engaging in conversation in a school library, adapting to new digital-free school day policies.
Recipes

Vermont teens adapt to new digital-free school days law

Vermont has enacted H.480, a new law mandating phone-free school days and banning social media contact, prompting teens and organizations to adapt to new digital boundaries.

Jun 13, 2026 · 3 min read

A rustic bowl of creamy homemade Caesar dressing with anchovy paste and Parmigiano-Reggiano, ready to be drizzled.
City Guides

Make Classic Caesar Dressing with Anchovy Paste

A single batch of homemade Caesar dressing, rich with anchovy paste and fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano, can elevate up to eight meals and last for nearly a week in your refrigerator.

Jun 13, 2026 · 2 min read

A diverse group of people enjoying a summer potluck with a table full of delicious food and drinks, bathed in warm sunlight.
City Guides

BA Editors Pick Best Summer Cookbook Potluck Recipes

Bon Appétit editors cooked through dozens of recipes, from chile shrimp tacos to malted pound cake, all to identify the season's best new cookbooks for summer 2026.

Jun 10, 2026 · 2 min read

Diverse group of people joyfully toasting with colorful Pride-themed drinks at a Bay Area restaurant, symbolizing community support and direct impact.
City Guides

Bay Area Eateries Offer Direct-Impact Pride Drinks 2026

This Pride Month, Bay Area diners can sip a 'Harvey Milkshake' or scoop a limited-edition ice cream, knowing $1 from their purchase directly supports LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read

Weber Searwood 600 pellet smoker cooking food with smoke rising, set against a twilight backyard scene.
Recipes

Weber Searwood 600 Among Top Pellet Smokers for Wood-Fired Flavor

The new Weber Searwood 600 arrives with an impressive 180°F to 600°F temperature range and a generous 20 lb pellet capacity.

Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read

Glistening, grilled catfish kabayaki skewers with a dark glaze, presented in a home kitchen setting, highlighting the dish's appetizing texture.
City Guides

Master Catfish Kabayaki: A Simple Preparation Guide

Last year, only 3% of home cooks attempted a Japanese freshwater eel dish.

Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read

A bright and inviting kitchen scene showcasing store-bought hummus surrounded by fresh vegetables, whole grains, and ingredients for preparing a healthy, quick meal.
City Guides

Whip up easy healthy meals using store-bought hummus today.

A single tablespoon of hummus packs a gram of protein, nearly a gram of fiber, and 2.

Jun 8, 2026 · 2 min read

The elegant Naia restaurant on the Chicago Riverwalk at dusk, with glowing lights, diners on the patio, and the city skyline in the background.
City Guides

Naia Opens on Chicago Riverwalk, Offering Greek-Levantine Cuisine

Naia, a sprawling 12,000-square-foot Greek-Levantine restaurant, just opened its doors on the Chicago Riverwalk, marking one of several ambitious new culinary ventures reshaping the city's dining scen

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read

Diverse group of people of all ages working together in a bountiful community garden, sharing smiles and gardening tips.
Recipes

Grandmothers in Bloom shares gardening tips for a green future.

In just three months, the 'Grandmothers in Bloom' online community has blossomed to over 50,000 members, igniting a surprising resurgence of hyper-local, traditional gardening across the country.

Jun 5, 2026 · 3 min read

Diverse new restaurants, including modern Vietnamese and Jewish-inspired eateries, light up a Philadelphia street at dusk, showcasing the city's evolving dining scene.
City Guides

Philadelphia's New Restaurants Opening in June 2026

In June 2026, Philadelphia's dining scene isn't just expanding; it's evolving.

Jun 5, 2026 · 2 min read

A chic Parisian restaurant interior showcasing innovative dishes made with local ingredients, representing the future of the city's dining scene.
City Guides

Food Expert Reveals Future Top Parisian Restaurants

Securing a table at Le Restaurant, helmed by young chef Valentin Raffali, is now one of Paris's toughest culinary feats.

Jun 5, 2026 · 2 min read