Eat For America

I always like to eat well on vacation, and have dragged travel companions to restaurants and eateries when in the area of a place I'm dying to try, but never have I planned a get away SOLELY based on food.

Enter EATforamerica, which frankly, I didn't really plan at all. The most I've contributed is setting up a "pop-up" twitter account - which I'm still learning how to use - that currently only has it's future decided from now through the duration of the trip. After that, who knows. Follow us here: @eatforamerica

The trip is mostly the brainchild of Grace (former head of the Wu-teach clan, the pack of science teachers I spent two years with during my time in Teach for America.) and included suggestions from her brain trust, Jon, also a former TFA teacher, and Sophie who you know from Girls Night In, and of course, a former member of Wu-teach. While we have bonded over our classroom woes, we have forged a friendship that goes even deeper because of our love for Top Chef, food, brunch (which has turned into an annual Brunch for America), and most of all - eating.

We are traveling this weekend to Frederick, MD, Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, and Atlanta, GA in order to do just that. Together, the four of us will EAT for America. More details to follow.. but for now:

Eat for America

The Players

Lauren (a.k.a. LBD, dark horse) - Yours truly, your blog host and honored participant in EATforamerica 2k12. Skilled in sugar work, according to some. Executive Chef of three annual Brunch for Americas. Idolizes Martha Stewart.

Height: 5'3"

Hometown: New York, NY

Current Residence: Philadelphia, PA

Current Occupation: Analyst

Prize possession: Pair of patent leather lace Valentino pumps.

Favorite Food: If carbs were a food.. no really, bread, chocolate and cheese.

Best thing you've ever cooked: Braised leeks and short ribs.

Most excited about on EFA: Potentially meeting some great chefs and of course trying their food!

Grace (Wu-Teach, mother) - Creator and lead executor of EATforamerica, Grace dreams of owning a food truck. Competed in TFA Philadelphia's "Chopped" competition with sous-chef Sophie. They finished in 2nd and were also tagged as the competition's underdog duo.

Height: 5'5"

Hometown: Carrollton, TX (if a car rolls over you, it weighs a ton) (seriously, that was her response)

Current Residence: Dallas, TX

Current Occupation: Math/Science Content Coordinator

Prize possession: Splat - my catters!

Favorite Food: Any pappardelle dish usually gets me.

Best thing you've ever cooked: An appetizer. It was a seared scallop over polenta with arugula salad

Most excited about on EFA: Table 21 reservations!

Sophie (Daughter) - Writer and photographer of acclaimed facebook album "A trip to tasty town," as well as the co-author of this post. DIY home cook. Loves pandas (so much that I can't look at one without thinking of her) and is part of the localvore food movement in Philadelphia. An advid potluck dinner party junkie, Sophie has attended all three Brunch for America's and has served as the sous chef for the past two.

Height: 5'4.5"

Hometown: Great Neck, NY

Current Residence: Philadelphia, PA

Current Occupation: Research Associate

Prize possession: Global chef and paring knife (named Ajito and Manzanita, respectively).

Favorite Food: Pork belly, duck bacon, fresh summer corn, poached egg and potato chips.

Best thing you've ever cooked: 2011 Thanksgiving spread for 17 (including three pregnant women) and one baby.

Most excited about on EFA: Hugging Kevin and seeing his pig tattoo en vivo!!

Jon (Mr. Wiiing!, M.D.) - Our senior advisor of EATforamerica has been instrumental in suggesting where to sleep and various dining options with his experience and inside hookups on our chosen path. Sharp palate, sharp comments, nothing gets by this witty foodie.

Height: 5'11"

Current Residence: Philadelphia, PA

Prize possession: a med school textbook