Michael Gardiner

MICHAEL GARDINER is a freelance writer and licensed California attorney living in San Diego, California with his wife, environmental scientist Nancy Gardiner.  A graduate of Amherst College and the University of Wisconsin School of Law, Gardiner practiced business law and litigation before retiring to be a full-time food writer.

Gardiner writes for various publications, including the The San Diego Union-Tribune, Edible San Diego, Locale Magazine, and others. He was the regular food writer for the late, lamented San Diego CityBeat, an alternative weekly with a circulation of 50,000. Gardiner is the author of two cookbooks published by Rizzoli International: Cali-Baja Cuisine (2023) and Kosher Fusion: Global Flavors, New Traditions (2020). Gardiner is currently working on a cookbook for Oceanside’s groundbreaking Matsu restaurant.

In his spare time, Gardiner – a former National Champion Australian Rules Football player, competitive bicycle racer and professional soccer coach — enjoys hiking and riding his bike by the coast. He does not have much in the way of spare time. He likes it that way.

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