Heather Irwin on Muck Rack

Heather Irwin

Verified
Santa Rosa
As seen in: Sonoma Magazine, The Press Democrat, Flipboard, The Mercury News, KQED-TV (San Francisco,CA), The Sacramento Bee, North Bay Business Journal, East Bay Times, San Luis Obispo Tribune, Fresno Bee, JD Supra, Las Vegas Sun and
Covers:  Trends in food, Bay area dining, new food products, cookbooks, food literature, farming
Doesn't Cover: Restaurants outside the Bay Area, anything not related to food.
Food, restaurants, dining and mayhem in Sonoma, Napa and the Bay Area. Weekly column in the Press Democrat.

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Heather Irwin’s Biography

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Professional food and restaurant writer in Northern California's Wine Country. Dining Editor for SMI Media (Sonoma Magazine, Press Democrat, Petaluma Argus-Courier, Sonoma Index-Tribune). Created BiteClub column for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in 2004. Contributor to Sunset Magazine, Wine & Spirits magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, the North Bay Bohemian, Wine Country.com, Imbibe and other publications.

Specialties: Food criticism, food trends, restaurant reviews, chef stories, food trends

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Heather Irwin’s Journalist Portfolio

24 Best Places for Picnic Provisions in Sonoma County | Sonoma Magazine BiteClub

24 Best Places for Picnic Provisions in Sonoma County | Sonoma Magazine BiteClub

Picnicking in Sonoma County is not for amateurs. Here, we take our alfresco dining seriously, packing real st…

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Supper Club Classics Julia Child Would Love at Soon-to-Open Healdsburg Restaurant

Supper Club Classics Julia Child Would Love at Soon-to-Open Healdsburg Restaurant

Healdsburg's newest restaurant, The Brass Rabbit , is slated to open May 12, featuring "supper club classics"…

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Ancient Food Journey at Naked Pig Owners' New Santa Rosa Restaurant | Sonoma Magazine BiteClub

Ancient Food Journey at Naked Pig Owners' New Santa Rosa Restaurant | Sonoma Magazine BiteClub

Dalia Martinez wants your plums. She also wants your nasturtiums, your apples, your persimmons, your Meyer le…

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A Seed to Table Story of One Pattypan Squash in Sonoma County | Sonoma Magazine BiteClub

A Seed to Table Story of One Pattypan Squash in Sonoma County | Sonoma Magazine BiteClub

Over the next few weeks, that seed, along with hundreds of others, was nurtured in the warmth of Chef Natalie…

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Petaluma's Drawing Board: A Menu for Anyone, Everyone | Sonoma Magazine BiteClub

Petaluma's Drawing Board: A Menu for Anyone, Everyone | Sonoma Magazine BiteClub

It's not every day that you find vegan smoked carrot lox and cashew cream cheese on a menu next to roasted bo…

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Overnight Success for El Roy's Mexican Grill in Petaluma Was Anything But

Overnight Success for El Roy's Mexican Grill in Petaluma Was Anything But

The Marin County dump isn't exactly the kind of spot budding restaurateurs often see as being ripe for opport…

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Articles

29-Year-Old Chef Brings Fine Dining Ambition to Occidental’s Bohemian Bistro Original

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By Heather Irwin Verified
| Sonoma Magazine Verified
Though chef Ray Martinez looks young enough to be carded in his own restaurant, he’s no rookie behind the line. At 29, he has already spent much of his life in restaurant kitchens, from his family’s café in Morro Bay to Michelin-noted restaurants including Harbor House in Elk, Ox + Anchor in San Luis Obispo and Troubadour in Healdsburg.
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New Sonoma County Restaurants To Try Now, Plus What’s Opening Next Original

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By Heather Irwin Verified
| Sonoma Magazine Verified
In April, I wrote about the wave of new restaurants heading to Sonoma County this summer and beyond. At the time, most were still in the “coming soon” stage: paper-covered windows, cryptic Instagram posts and a lot of educated guessing. Since then, I’ve been making the rounds, tasting, talking and generally nosing around. Here’s where things stand as of mid-June. Heard of something new or in the works? Email me at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com.
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Marin producers win big at 2026 Good Food Awards

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By Heather Irwin Verified
| Marin Independent Journal Verified
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... On June 2, the Specialty Food Association announced the winners of the 2026 Good Food Awards, honoring producers whose products excel in taste, craftsmanship and responsible sourcing. Now in its 16th year, the awards recognize artisan food and beverage makers committed to sustainable production, ethical business practices and high-quality ingredients. More than 1,200 products from across the United States were entered this year.
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See all 1,755 licensed articles (2,134 Total)

Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

TV critic

Have you ever used a typewriter?

I started out using an old manual typewriter. It made me feel like an old school journalist.

How is social media changing news?

Everything is available right now. Faster, better, brighter and in a way that anyone can contribute an opinion.

Awards

Eppy (Editor and Publisher)

2010 - Entertainment Site

Best Entertainment Site

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