Taste Editor

Nicole Ploumen Hvidsten is the Star Tribune's senior Taste editor. In past journalistic lives she was a reporter, copy editor and designer — sometimes all at once — and has yet to find a cookbook she doesn't like.

Hvidsten grew up in Minnesota and knew that journalism was her calling way back in middle school, when the Star Tribune published two of her essays. She graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a degree in mass communications and a love for all things journalism and politics. Hvidsten worked at newspapers across the country for several years before finally returning to where it all started. She and her husband are proud parents of three amazing kids.


The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities this week

Checking out a hot chicken place, brewing company, Italian bistro, health-conscious eatery and a sun-filled coffee shop.


These 5 Twin Cities area spots offer gourmet delights for summer picnics

Whether a romantic outing, playdate with the kids or a grassy hang with friends, there's a basket for you.


The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities and beyond this week

A new location of a favorite restaurant, sampling at the Taste of Minnesota, crêpes for Bastille Day and pizza in Lake Country made for an eclectic – and delicious – week.


How six months in France changed this Minnesota food writer's life

In his new memoir, Steve Hoffman shares the lessons he learned about food, wine and himself while living in a small French village with his family.


Restaurant openings and closings in the Twin Cities

What's open, what's closed and what's still to come in the Twin Cities and beyond.


The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week

The best ice cream, empanadas and croffles the Taste team ate this week.


The 5 best sandwiches our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week

Do sandwiches taste better when someone else makes them? We test that theory as we tried a fresh batch of restaurants, food trucks and farmers market stands.


Inside Hodgepodge, the new food truck at Fridley's Forgotten Star Brewing

A partnership between the food blog Fit Foodie Finds and Forgotten Star aims to change the way we eat at breweries.


3 new grilling recipes just in time for Father's Day

Shake up your backyard barbecue routine with marinated shrimp, charred bok choy salad and grilled plum dessert.


Lake Elmo Inn will open restaurant in St. Paul's Union Depot

1881 by Lake Elmo is a nod to the year both the historic restaurant and the original train station opened.