The time has finally arrived: the James Beard Awards, or the Oscars of the food world, have just been announced. After months of suspense following the announcement of this year's semifinalists and subsequent finalists, the results were announced at a star-studded gala in New York's Lincoln Center, where a smattering of top talent from Grant Achatz to Top Chef winner Paul Qui walked home with Read more

On the West Coast, the holidays aren't all about parties, roasts, and cookies; they're also about fresh, abundant Dungeness crabs, which are in peak supply during this time of year. But everything about the crustacean, from understanding the season to selecting the right live one, can be tricky. To get a better handle — er, claw — on all things Dungeness, I turned to two seafood experts: Read more

American farm-raised catfish is seeing a pretty dismal season, but luckily, the same won't be said for salmon. Last week, fish and wildlife officials announced that Pacific salmon season will kick off May 1 and likely run through September — a breath of fresh air after a shortened schedule in 2010 and no season to speak of at all in 2009 and 2008. While most of the season's salmon buzz Read more

North by Northwest isn't just a Hitchcock film; it's also a great way to remember how to scrub your rug. Confused? Here's a little tip. If you're dealing with a stubborn stain on a rug, don't scrub harder; scrub smarter by thinking like a compass. We all live with people, pets, and things we love that can spell trouble for our favorite rugs. Whether it's a kiddo, a dog, or a glass of red wine, Read more

Editor’s note: Summer travel season has officially begun! The following guest post was written by Robert Reid, the US travel editor for Lonely Planet. He will be guest blogging on Savvy for the next two months, helping you find some great ideas of how to get your vacation on this Summer. It’s July and it’s hot. Anyone up for some beer? American microbreweries – so termed after an English Read more