On the Menu

November 3, 2022

Life, death and biscuits: Navigating grief through food

By Katherine McCabe

Katherine McCabe shares a personal essay about the value of food and family connections.

October 27, 2022

Perfect Pumpkin Fall Fudge

By Haydin Zogaric

There’s nothing that screams “fall” more than melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin spice fudge!

October 27, 2022

Ain’t No Challaback Girl: Chocolate-Pumpkin Babkallah

By Joey Sable

This pumpkin chocolate babkallah will be the best dessert you’ll eat during this autumnal equinox!

October 20, 2022

Quite a catch: the Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival

By Kyra Karatsu, Grace Zhang

All things seafood and maritime, the free community event showcased the ocean’s freshest ingredients.

October 20, 2022

Chicken Adobo: A Filipino chicken stew

By Max Yim

This recipe is my attempt at recreating my lolo’s chicken adobo and is easy and simple to make, as well as being warm and hearty, perfect for the fall and winter.

October 14, 2022

New Restaurants, Notable Closures and Food News in and Around I.V.

By Stephanie Gerson

Santa Barbara’s food scene is unique and ever changing; here's a roundup of some recent news!

October 14, 2022

Kick off Soup Season with a Cozy Bowl of Broccoli Soup

By Abigail Monti

The next time you finish a long day of classes and bike rides in the cold, warm yourself up with a cozy blanket and a cup of broccoli soup!

October 14, 2022

Oyster Mushroom Faux Chicken Tenders

By Chace Duma

If you’re looking to reduce your meat intake, add this recipe to your “quick weeknight dinners” list or just do something with that bunch of oyster mushrooms you bought at the farmers market because of how pretty t...

October 7, 2022

Two refreshing mocktail recipes and a discussion about the nonalcoholic beverage market

By Stephanie Gerson

From alcohol-free beer to premixed mocktails, skipping out on alcohol can still be fun, flavorful and accessible.

September 29, 2022

Goleta Lemon Festival: A Celebration of More than Citrus

By Abigail Monti

Though advertised as a celebration of citrus, the event better reflected an end-of-summer celebration of all things Goleta: local produce, businesses, music and community. 

September 29, 2022

Portabella Mushroom Steak and Broccolini

By Maya Salem

This dish is full of fresh flavors and hearty goodness!

September 22, 2022

Hummus Republic: Mediterranean Fast Casual Comes to I.V.

By Chace Duma

After a long wait spent salivating at the sign on the empty building, Hummus Republic finally opened on May 26, 2022. I’ve had it twice since its opening, both experiences being pretty positive. 

September 22, 2022

End-of-summer nectarine basil salad

By Maya Salem

This isn’t your average Sunday brunch fruit salad.

September 22, 2022

A more sophisticated take on the classic PB&J

By Stephanie Gerson

When I was younger, eating lunch at school seemed so seamless. This PB&J for grown-ups has everything that I loved as a kid with an elevated twist.

August 25, 2022

Navigating Food Insecurity at UCSB: A Resource Guide

By Stephanie Gerson, Chace Duma

We’ve compiled this list of resources in hopes to prepare students for any food insecurity the coming months and years might bring. 

July 8, 2022

Sunshine Cake: A Citrusy Summer Treat

By Elena Aquilanti

This sponge cake is quick and simple to make, and a perfect summer treat for those who don’t love cavity-level sweetness in their desserts.