Maria Hunt is a food writer and restaurant critic at the San Diego Union-Tribune, a position she has held for the past four years.

Originally from Chicago, she gained an appreciation for good eating from her family, which is full of professional and hobbyist cooks. Her travels to Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico have fostered an interest in foods from around the world.

Maria helped finance her degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism by passing a silver tray for some of the city's top gourmet caterers, bartending at the Civic Opera House and dishing up Chicago pizza. Her writing has been honored by The Society of Professional Journalists and the San Diego Press Club. She is a founding member and vice president of the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, as well as a member of the international jury of Slow Food.

Maria's writing has appeared in national publications including the New York Times, Saveur magazine, the Chicago Tribune and CODE magazine. During her 12 years as a journalist, Maria has covered everything from city government to the arts to police news.

She enjoys designing jewelry, gardening and entertaining friends at her home in Normal Heights.