Paradise News is exited to introduce its newest feature writer, Joyce LaFray, who will be writing about dining out on the South Beaches and a short drive away.
Joyce LaFray is one of Florida’s premier food experts and author to more than 20 books including Cuba Cocina!, The Tantalizing Flavors of Cuba, Tropic Cooking: The Cuisine of Florida & the Caribbean and the Guide to Florida’s Best Restaurants.
Since 1974, she has been restaurant critic, lecturer, editor, book publisher and consultant for the ever-evolving restaurant scene. She is consummate world traveler and contributor to Bon Appetit Magazine, the Tampa Bay Where Magazine and Gourmet Retailer. She served as food and wine editor for nationally syndicated Creative Loafing, as well as numerous newspapers and magazines.
Her many culinary talents have played major roles in the organization and success of well known events including the Tampa Tribune’s “Taste of Florida,” Macy’s popular statewide “Chef’s Tour” “Miami’s international Book Fair (Epicure Row founder), and the national Kahlua Bake-Off held in Maimi. Corporately she has been radio talent for Goldkist (Young & Tender Chicken) and TV talent for Appleton Rum Publix Supermarket and Meyer’s Goat Milk. She has been publisher for FOX-TV’s popular travel guide series, FOX-TV’S One Tank Trips since 1997.
Joyce is a member of the Bay Area Professional Writers, City of Writers, is a charter member of the Publisher’s Association of the South, Member of the International Society of Culinary Professionals, the James Beard Foundation, the Confrerie De La Chaine Des Rotisseurs and more. She is a avid supporter of the Louise Graham Recreation Center in Tampa Bay for adults with disabilities.
She attended the University of Loyola I Rome, Italy and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Dayton in Ohio with a minor in English. Worked extensively in radio and TV as regional sales manager, radio representative and on-air talent, including host of “Tropic Cooking’, a Tampa Bay food show and “Eat It!” a call in radio show by WQYK.
Joyce serves as President of Seaside Publishing, a division of Famous Florida!® Enterprises, Inc. Joyce is successfully promoting her line of Joyce LaFray’s REAL Key Lime Juice, Key Lime BarBQ Sauce, Orange Nougat Candy and other gourmet products. And is in the process of writing three books: The Florida Book Bible, World Famous Steakhouse & Mango Madness.
Joyce’s first column will appear in our June edition, a feature length introductory column. A resident of downtown St. Petersburg, she plans to begin her work close to home.
Paradise News welcomes Joyce LaFray!