Formerly a professional chef, caterer, and cooking-school teacher, Amy Cotler transitioned in the 1990s to a successful career as a food writer. She has taught at the Institute for Culinary Education in New York City and at The Culinary Institute of America. Her other books include The Locavore Way, Wrap it Up: Bold and Bright Sandwiches with a Twist, One Pot Vegetarian Dishes, and My Little House Cookbook. She was the lead recipe developer and writer for two revised editions of The Joy of Cooking, and she hosted the New York Times online "Food Forum" for six years.