David Begay

Contributing Editor

David Begay is a Contributing Editor for Farm to Recipes, where he covers sustainable farming practices and profiles the artisans and farmers shaping our food landscape. Before joining the team, he was a senior writer for 'Modern Farmer' and a field correspondent for 'The Agrarian Journal.' His work, which has earned him two James Beard Foundation awards for agricultural reporting, explores topics from heritage seed preservation to innovative water conservation techniques in modern ranching. David's narrative-driven approach connects readers directly to the source, fostering a deeper appreciation for the journey from the soil to the supper table.

Expertise

Sustainable AgricultureFood SovereigntyHeritage Breeds and SeedsForagingAgricultural Journalism

Coverage Areas

The Garden Patch
Meet the Maker

Latest Articles

A rich and creamy silken tofu chocolate mousse served in a glass bowl, garnished with berries and cocoa powder.
The Garden Patch

Whip Up Tofu Chocolate Mousse Recipe Now

At a recent blind tasting hosted by the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, 8 out of 10 professional pastry chefs mistook a silken tofu-based chocolate mousse for its traditional dairy counterp

Jun 14, 2026 · 3 min read

Decadent 2-ingredient chocolate mousse made with silken tofu and bittersweet chocolate, elegantly presented in a glass.
The Garden Patch

Whip up easy 2 ingredient chocolate mousse recipe

Forget hours of whisking and a pantry full of ingredients: a rich, elegant chocolate mousse can require only silken tofu and bittersweet chocolate, fundamentally altering home dessert making.

Jun 14, 2026 · 3 min read

Elegant glass bedside carafe and matching glass on a nightstand, creating a 5-star hotel ambiance in a home bedroom.
The Garden Patch

Bedside carafes bring a 5-star hotel feel to your home

Sales of bedside water carafes, once a niche item for luxury hotels, have skyrocketed by 300% in the past year on major home goods platforms, according to HomeLux Annual Report.

Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

A beautifully arranged gourmet chopped salad with sardines and preserved lemon, showcasing fresh ingredients and a vibrant presentation.
The Garden Patch

Make a gourmet chopped salad with sardines and preserved lemon.

To craft a surprisingly complex dressing for a simple chopped salad, the recipe for Chopped Salad with Sardines and Preserved Lemon demands chopping an entire preserved lemon—peel and pith included—in

Jun 11, 2026 · 2 min read

A diverse array of delicious summer potluck dishes and cookbooks displayed on a rustic table, bathed in warm sunlight.
The Garden Patch

BA Editors Share Summer Cookbook Potluck Recipes

At a recent Bon Appétit summer potluck, editors showcased dishes like Parmesan Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Tomato Basil Cream Cheese and Triple-Pomegranate Cake.

Jun 10, 2026 · 2 min read

Vibrant early spring flowers blooming in a Massachusetts garden, subtly hinting at the underlying environmental changes and climate shifts.
The Garden Patch

Early Spring Blooms Signal Climate Change in Massachusetts

In 2010, Massachusetts plants flowered three weeks earlier than in Thoreau’s time, a historical shift unprecedented since 1852, according to Boston University .

Jun 8, 2026 · 2 min read

A variety of healthy and easy meals prepared with store-bought hummus, showcasing colorful ingredients and a rustic table setting.
The Garden Patch

Whip up easy healthy meals using store-bought hummus today

A single tablespoon of hummus packs a gram of protein, nearly a gram of fiber, and 2.

Jun 8, 2026 · 3 min read

A person mindfully enjoying a small, delicious treat, highlighting the pleasure and satisfaction derived from moderate indulgence.
The Garden Patch

Mindful Indulgence: Enjoy Treats Without Deprivation

Individuals who regularly allowed themselves a small, mindful treat were 40% less likely to report binge-eating episodes compared to those who strictly avoided sweets, a recent study from the Mindful

Jun 7, 2026 · 3 min read

Close-up of fresh strawberries coated in a glossy, homemade syrup, ready to be served.
The Garden Patch

Macerate Strawberries with Sugar for Sweet, Syrupy Results

Just one tablespoon of sugar and 30 minutes in the refrigerator transforms a pound of fresh strawberries into a glossy, syrup-coated delight, according to Bonappetit .

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read

Vibrant pink quick-pickled red onions in a glass jar, ready to top tacos and salads, prepared in just 15 minutes.
The Garden Patch

Master Quick Pickled Red Onions in 15 Minutes

In just 15 minutes, a humble red onion transforms into a vibrant, tangy condiment, capable of elevating everything from tacos to salads.

Jun 4, 2026 · 2 min read

An opened can of Grace butter beans on a rustic table, showcasing their plump and creamy texture, ready for a satisfying meal.
The Garden Patch

Grace Canned Butter Beans: Elevating the Everyday

At 14.1 ounces, a can of Grace butter beans promises a plump, creamy texture, transforming a simple meal into something surprisingly satisfying. Canned beans are often seen as utilitarian, but specifi

Jun 4, 2026 · 2 min read

A closed golden gate signifying the end of submissions for the Bon Appétit Pantry Awards 2026, with a sign indicating the deadline has passed.
The Garden Patch

BA's Pantry Awards 2026 Submissions Have Closed

For brands hoping to be recognized in the 2026 Bon Appétit Pantry Awards, the opportunity has already vanished: the submission window officially closed on May 31, 2026.

Jun 2, 2026 · 2 min read

A visual comparison of a ripe heirloom tomato and a perfect hybrid tomato, symbolizing the blend of flavor and resilience in modern tomato varieties.
The Garden Patch

Heirloom vs Hybrid Tomatoes Explained: Flavor Meets Resilience

A new hybrid tomato, 'Solana Supreme', has arrived, boasting both blight resistance and a Brix score of 8.

Jun 2, 2026 · 3 min read

A collection of golden-brown miniature tomato galettes with flaky pastry and vibrant red tomato filling, arranged invitingly on a rustic wooden table.
The Garden Patch

Master Tiny Tomato Galettes with This Simple Recipe Guide

A single, pepper-seasoned dough recipe now allows home cooks to effortlessly create eight miniature tomato galettes, two full-sized pies, or one extra-large rectangle, shattering traditional baking co

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

A new mother avoiding protein-rich foods while breastfeeding, highlighting the critical nutritional gap for maternal and infant health.
The Garden Patch

New Moms Avoiding Protein Despite Breastfeeding Needs

In a recent study, postpartum mothers actively avoided protein-rich foods like meat, eggs, fish, and dal, despite the significant nutritional demands of breastfeeding.

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

A close-up of a perfectly baked cosmic blondie with a dense, fudgy texture and melted white chocolate chips.
The Garden Patch

Master Cosmic Blondies: Preheat Oven to 350°F

An entire stick of butter, when properly browned, is the secret weapon ensuring cosmic blondies achieve their signature ooey gooey texture, even when using white chocolate chips.

May 31, 2026 · 3 min read

Chef accepting a James Beard Award trophy on stage, with a backdrop suggesting a shift in culinary leadership from New York to Chicago and Calgary.
The Garden Patch

2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Nominees Reported

New York's Atomix, last year's top-ranked restaurant, plummeted to seventh place in the 2026 James Beard regional awards, making way for unexpected culinary leaders from Chicago and Calgary.

May 30, 2026 · 2 min read

A rustic wooden cutting board with a chef's knife and fresh herbs, showcasing its natural antibacterial properties in a sunlit kitchen.
The Garden Patch

Wooden Cutting Boards Offer Surprising Antibacterial Benefits

Without even cleaning, a maple cutting board can reduce E.

May 28, 2026 · 2 min read

Assortment of ripe summer melons including cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon, displayed invitingly on a wooden table.
The Garden Patch

Choose Melons for Summer Treats & Storage Tips

Fruit sandos, with their vibrant fruit cross-sections, are gaining traction as a preferred summer dessert.

May 28, 2026 · 2 min read

A golden-brown, perfectly roasted chicken with herbs and vegetables, presented on a rustic table in warm, inviting light.
The Garden Patch

Roast Chicken: Tips for a Perfect Result

Thomas Keller's acclaimed roast chicken recipe, despite its precise instructions, resulted in meat described as 'bit chewy' and lacking moisture, highlighting the challenge of even an easy roast chick

May 26, 2026 · 3 min read