Fall has finally, ah, fallen, in our strange new world, and like most of you, we here at The Taste Chase have been isolated for most of the year and…
Renata Barnes
Renata Barnes
Renata is the author of "The Taste Chase," MercerMe's own food review column. She's a lover of all things poetic, colorful, funny and inspiring. A native New Yorker, who grew up in Hopewell Valley and spent the better part of her adulthood back in NYC, currently finds herself in a growing love relationship with “the Valley”. Latin food, Indian saris and mehndi, French perfume, African music, Middle Eastern spices, South American jewels, Asian fabrics and anything from just about any island (maybe not Riker’s Island) are things that remind her to go out and taste the world, live passionately and always wear deodorant. The mother of one rambunctious boy and the wife of a mellow fellow, Renata tries to put her too many years of university and her film and writing talents to good use here in NJ. “I’ve spent too much time trying to fit in some where when I probably belong everywhere. That slow revelation has been freeing.”
-
-
The Taste Chase was out and about last week as students, alumni supporters, local restaurateurs, and vendors gathered for the 6th annual Mercer County College (MCCC) culinary tasting event. The…
-
It’s almost that time of year again when the air is filled with wonder along with the crisp scent of evergreen and peppermint. You’ll have hot cocoa in your mug,…
-
A labor of love has produced a new place of inclusion and empowerment on Main Street in Pennington. In the space most recently known as “Chance on Main,” Pennington Borough…
-
The Hopewell Township Police department was out in force this past Saturday to chat and have “a cuppa” with local residents as part of this year’s National “Coffee with a…
-
In response to the recent incidents of religious and sexual bias that occurred in its cafe, Starbucks of Pennington hosted an event Monday called “CommUNITY”, which featured a coffee tasting…
-
Summer is winding down and, while many of us are busily settling ourselves and our offspring into a new school year, others are rocking themselves to sleep through the early…
-
Hey, Taste Chase fans! It’s been a long time coming, but a change is definitely gon’ come! After what seemed like endless weeks, the Route 518 detour is coming to…
-
There is something about a quaint cafe one just happens upon around the odd corner in some small provincial town or village. Whether it’s Ingrid Bergman looking forlorn in Rick’s…
-
Cooper Creative Group has been operating in the Hopewell Valley area for more than 8 years. Ewing native and CEO Sara Cooper, started Cooper Creative as a way to tap…