Elan Mayhew

By Jane and Michael Stern Originally Published in Gourmet, 1994 Clad in shining steel and accoutered in neon and Naugahyde, diners are cheap thrills, American style. Although most are in the urban east, where the handsomest among them were manufactured in the thirties, forties, and fifties, they fit in anywhere you find them, on a … Continue reading O’Rourke’s Diner

In 1971 when we got married, a wedding was not the big deal it is today. As I remember, weddings back then involved reading a meaningful passage from The Prophet by poet Kahlil Gibran, standing barefoot together in a wooded glade, and wearing a wreath of wildflowers on one’s head. Yes, some couples had elaborate … Continue reading Jane’s Diary: The Wedding Feast

I have always believed in hunches, in signs and symbols, in the universe sending me a message. The day of the Roadfood Festival I ignored everything. God Himself would have had to come down from the heavens and hit me over the head with a skillet to make me pay attention to the troubles brewing … Continue reading Jane’s Diary: The Big Screen (Part 2)

When Roadfood was simply a book, a businessman named Stephen Rushmore got in touch with us. Mr. Rushmore was a Roadfood fan, wealthy and well-connected. He asked us to meet with him in New York at a fancy hotel for breakfast. He was the classic handsome silver haired Master of the Universe type – a … Continue reading Jane’s Diary: The Big Screen (Part 1)

A few days ago I walked past a gift boutique in my home town and came to an abrupt halt. In the window display among the cute pink and green Lily Pulitzer shifts and novelty gifts for the golf nut in your life were two macrame owls. You may not be familiar with macramé’s first … Continue reading Jane’s Diary: Quest for the Macrame Owl

For a few years Michael and I bounced among Good Morning America, The Today Show, and CBS This Morning doing Roadfood segments. Decades back, lots of people watched these network shows; and if you were fortunate enough to be on one, whatever you were selling sold. Roadfood sales soared each time we appeared. Many of … Continue reading Jane’s Diary: Meeting the Titan of TV News

I can honestly say (and this is not a boast, but a sad truth) that I have no clue who anyone is on the cover or People magazine or the National Enquirer. There was a time when I used to know every celebrity’s face and story. I knew who was divorcing whom, who was in … Continue reading Jane’s Diary: Roadfood Meets The Glitterati

For those of you who do not speak Yiddish, here is a wonderful word to know: chutzpah. The dictionary definition is: audacity, cheek, guts, nerve, and boldness. For the most part I lack chutzpah. I am not naturally cheeky. I do however like my luxuries. Michael and I wrote for Gourmet magazine for eighteen years. … Continue reading Jane’s Diary: Rolls Royce Taste On a Burger Budget

The road trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria offers the great beef and silky wines you’d expect from the ranch and vine scenery, and there are a few surprises along the way too. Starting in Santa Barbara initiate yourself to the area’s famous tri-tip at Shalhoob’s Funk Zone Patio. Make sure to grab some … Continue reading Eating Through Santa Barbara Wine Country | Roadfood Bests