Benjy Egel says he’s been interested in food ever since he was a kid in Davis. “I grew up doing cooking camps through the city of Davis programs, at like Cesar Chavez Elementary,” he said. After cooking during his college years and working as a journalist after graduating, “I just sort of fell into [food writing] professionally by accident.”

Today he is the Sacramento Bee’s food and beverage writer, which includes writing reviews as well as reporting food trends and news in the region. He’s had the job about 5 years so far. Today our subjects include food and restaurants in Greater Sacramento, trends, staffing, the scene in Davis, and how he approaches his job.