Leena Trivedi-Grenier
Leena is the principal and senior writer for Leena Eats: Gourmet Communications. From ice cream scooper to assistant pastry chef for a top Chicago establishment, Leena has worked her entire life in the food industry. But she couldn’t stop eating and talking about it, so she decided to make it her job.
Leena received her B.A. in speech communications with a minor in creative writing from Bradley University, her A.A.S. in culinary arts from Joliet Junior College, and is currently getting her M.F.A. in Gastronomy (the study of food and culture) from the University of Adelaide in South Australia in coordination with Le Cordon Bleu.
Leena’s spare time is filled with eating, cooking, and busting into the occasional freestyle rap. She also enjoys gratuitous food porn and has a deeply special relationship with bacon.
Leena’s passion for food and life shine through her writing. She lives by the motto “I’ll try anything seven times.” That’s because she is an equal opportunity eater. If she does not like a certain food, it’s probably because it wasn’t prepared properly. So she’ll eat it at least seven times before committing to all out hatred.
Leena eats this blog
Leena Eats this Blog is an all-out crazy romp through the international world of food through the eyes of a sometimes funny, always hungry and opinionated lady. Leena eats, cooks, and eats some more. She has an uncanny ability for offending most men, women, children, the elderly, minorities, majorities, and the occasional chinchilla. Most importantly, she reports back to you in her own voice. No fancy five dollar words here, mister (see the portfolio if you would like to read Leena’s five dollar words). Just 100% uncensored Leena. It used to be 75% uncensored Leena and 25% sausage, but Leena has since overcome her addiction with the dangerously tempting forcemeat. Sort of. Maybe.
Food Journalism
First and foremost Leena is a Food Journalist. She has been writing her entire life, but has been doing it professionally for three years. She was a freelance writer and a weekly food columnist for the Herald News Joliet in Illinois, with over 150 articles published. Currently, she is studying Gastronomy at the University of Adelaide in South Australia. See samples of her work in the Portfolio.
Food Tours
On the job or not, Leena is always on the hunt for the next great meal. Now, others can join her on her food adventures. Feed Me Chicago will be launched in mid to late 2008, where Leena will be giving private and group tours of Chicago food landmarks, ethnic neighborhoods, and the latest trends in food. If you like to eat, laugh and race the occasional horse drawn carriage, look no further. You’ve found your mecca in the form of street cart elotes and beef sambusas.
Cooking Demos/Classes
While Leena prefers to talk about food, she has also given cooking classes and food presentations for local organizations and gourmet cooking stores. Whether you are interested in salt-free cooking techniques or a killer passion fruit sorbet, Leena is your lady.
Restaurant Reviews
Ok, this could fall under journalism, but Leena really views the two as different entities. In her typical writing, she'll find a topic and approach it from every angle she can think of. With restaurant reviews, she likes to take it beyond "Is this good" or "Is it bad" and get an understanding of how the food is made, the history behind the food as well as the restaurant and its chefs/owners. Most importantly, her reviews are honest. Once upon a time, Leena wrote restaurant reviews that were not allowed to be negative. She is a slave no more. But extra points for any restaurant that includes bacon in more than three dishes including dessert.
Adam Grenier has built this website - oh yeah, and he's married
to Leena
Adam is an innovator in the Digital Marketing world, having
worked with multiple Global and National clients in Chicago and
Australia. During the day he is the Senior Digital Strategist for
Starcom Worldwide in Adelaide, Australia. He manages a team which
directs clients on how to effectively incorporate digital marketing
into their corporate communications.
With the rest of his time, Adam enjoys stressing his creative
muscles through web development, acting and improvisation. If you
like what you see here at www.leenaeats.com and would like to work
with Adam, choose "Contact Adam (website
?'s)" in the Contact Reason here.
