Chuck Pecoraro

For those who relish serious dining, especially during the holidays, there are three basic steps to bring an enjoyable meal to a fulfilling finish: make room for a tempting dessert; sip a soothing post-meal wine like Sherry or Port; match …

No sooner than Santa Claus leaves, another mythical character arrives. The glow of the holidays fades into the gloom of January, with at least a three-month visit from Old Man Winter. But if sticking around and dealing with snow, ice, …

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Opening line in “The Christmas Song.” When late singer-songwriter Mel Torme composed those lyrics 77 years ago, he perhaps envisioned the dark brown nuts roasting on stands at street …

In 1983, Howard Schultz was sent by the small coffee company he worked for in Seattle to an international housewares show in Milan, Italy. He traveled alone and stayed at a hotel off the beaten path. Schultz passed his spare …

Up north, some villages could be under a blanket of snow driven by harsh winds. Down south, most towns bask in warm sunshine brushed by gentle breezes. The climate may vary, but all of Italy embraces one common denominator during …

The mere mention of pistachios evokes a variety of visions. Cooks use them in almost anything and everything. Sports fans consider them a perfect snack while watching a ballgame on TV. Nutritionists say they are abundant in vitamins. In the …

Late autumn in the United States sends a wake-up call to intrepid hunters to get up at the crack of dawn, pack their shotguns or rifles and prowl designated fields and woods in search of deer, ducks and other game. …

Naming wine isn’t exactly rocket science. Italian, French and other players in the name game usually conform to standards by listing brand, origin, type, producer, alcohol content, vintage, vineyards, destination, estate, etc. on the labels. Some get lengthy like, for …