Dana Cowin

Profession: Editor-in-Chief, Food & Wine
Interests: Mid-century design, photography, collecting dishes
Ideal secret ingredient: Bread--it's universal and endlessly variable
Culinary inspirations: Executive food editor Tina Ujlaki for her sensible approach; Marcella Hazan for her flawless recipes; Jean-Georges Vongerichten for his inspiration
Favorite restaurant: I have at least five tied for #1, each for a different reason/occasion: Le Bernardin, Babbo, City Bakery, Jean Georges, db Bistro
Favorite food: Just one? A perfectly cooked roast chicken
Food you won't go near: Brains...unless it turned out that eating brains could make me smarter
Weirdest thing you've ever eaten: Gold
Favorite food destination: New York City. I do neighborhood food tours every weekend and always discover something amazing.
Alternative dream job: Traveling around the world buying tableware for a small, chic shop