About
Valerie Sagers Phillips has covered food news for over 20 years in her popular newspaper column and her blog, ChewandChat.com. She is also the author of “Soup’s On!” (Covenant, 2012) with 100 fast and fabulous soups, stews and chili recipes.
While food editor at the Deseret News in Salt Lake City (2000-2010) and the Standard-Examiner (1993-2000), she won awards from the Associated Food Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, Beehive Chefs Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, the Utah-Idaho Press Association, and the William Harvey Awards for heart health writing. Beginning in 2013, her weekly column, “Chew and Chat” moved to the Standard-Examiner.
She grew up in Rush Valley, Utah, and earned an A.S. degree from Dixie College and a B.S. degree from Utah State University. Her culinary background came from growing up on a farm, working in a restaurant, four years of international work and travel; and many years of home cooking for her husband, Kim, and four children.
While pursuing stories, she was able to learn from some of the world’s top chefs and best home cooks, as well as seminars at Johnson & Wales University, America’s Test Kitchen, the New Orleans Cooking School, and the Kansas City Barbeque Society.
She also listened to her readers, who told her they needed fast but flavorful dinner recipes for busy weeknights. She developed shortcut techniques to offer “homemade without the hassle”
Her book, “Dining Through The Decades,” was published in 2000, and she has contributed to Food Network Magazine, American Baby, Parenting and Women’s Sports & Fitness magazines. She served on the national board of the Association of Food Journalists, and is a sought after judge for contests such as the World Championship Dutch Oven Cook-Off, International Chocolate Salon, Taste TV Awards, and Les Dames D’Escoffier M.F.K. Fisher Writing Award.
Phillips and her husband, Kim, live in Kaysville, Utah. They are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her daughter and son-in-law, Trevor and Amy, co-author the popular “Freshly Married” blog at www.freshmarried.com; and son Eric blogs at chroniclesofthesteeze.blogspot.com.