For more than two decades, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my stories about food, life, and my Portuguese heritage with a global audience. I’m deeply grateful for every opportunity to connect with readers and viewers. Below is a selection of media appearances, interviews, and professional honors from over the years.
Featured Profiles & Interviews
ABC News/Dan Harris
- Food Writer who was Struggling with Mental Illness Found Comfort in Cooking
- A feature on David Leite’s journey with bipolar disorder and how he found solace and a celebrated career in the world of food, timed with the release of his memoir, Notes on a Banana.
Forbes Magazine
- How to Make Money as a Food Blogger
- A Forbes feature on the business of blogging, where David Leite is highlighted as an expert panelist from the BlogHer conference, advising aspiring professionals to “Start with your passion.”
Weekends with Yankee
- Meet Portuguese Food Writer David Leite in His Hometown of Fall River, Massachusetts
- A feature on the show Weekends with Yankee, where David Leite gives a culinary tour of his hometown, Fall River, Mass. The segment explores local Portuguese markets, discusses the significance of dishes like bacalhau (salt cod), and culminates in a cooking demonstration of clams and sausage in a cataplana.
Between The Covers (WXEL Public Television)
- David Leite Talks About his Book “Notes On A Banana”
- A nearly 30-minute, in-depth interview with host Ann Bocock on the WXEL public television program “Between The Covers.” The conversation is a deep dive into David’s memoir, “Notes on a Banana,” exploring its themes of food, love, and mental health.
Publishers Weekly
- Author Interview: PW profiles David Leite
- A profile of David Leite in Publisher’s Weekly that explores the rediscovery of his Portuguese heritage through food, leading to his award-winning cookbook, The New Portuguese Table, and the success of his website, Leite’s Culinaria.
RTP Notícias
- Author David Leite Launches Memoir in the USA about Bipolar Disorder and Gastronomy
- An article from Portugal’s national public broadcaster, RTP, on the release of David Leite’s memoir. The piece highlights his journey as the gay, bipolar son of Azorean immigrants and how embracing his Portuguese identity was essential to his path of self-acceptance.
Observador
- David Leite: Between Berlengas’ Bifana and a Longing for Lisbon and the Azores
- A feature interview in the Portuguese newspaper Observador, in which David Leite discusses his deep connection to his Azorean heritage, his love for Lisbon, and the specific dishes—from his grandmother’s carne assada to the perfect bifana (pork sandwich)—that inspired his culinary journey.’
The Takeout
- A 60-Second Intro to Portuguese Food
- An introductory guide to Portuguese cuisine where David Leite, author of The New Portuguese Table, is featured as a key expert, providing insights on the country’s essential dishes and flavors.
New Haven Independent
- 185-Pound Hog Grows Community
- A feature covering the Institute Library’s annual Flying Pig Roast, where David Leite’s personal stories of his family’s Azorean hog traditions provided the central theme and cultural context for the community event.
Connecticut Insider
- Peeling the Banana — Author David Leite Reveals Himself
- A feature interview in the Connecticut Insider exploring David Leite’s candid memoir, “Notes on a Banana.” The piece delves into his journey of reconciling his Portuguese heritage, sexuality, and eventual bipolar disorder diagnosis, highlighting how food became his path to self-acceptance and a celebrated career.
Preston Hollow Advocate
- Central Market’s Passport Event Returns
- An announcement for Central Market’s “Passport Portugal” event, identifying David Leite as the James Beard Award-winning food expert leading the culinary direction for the promotion.
Houston Food Finder
- Only A Few Days Left For Central Market’s Celebration of Portugal
- A feature on Central Market’s statewide “Celebration of Portugal,” a promotion curated by David Leite in his role as the official Portuguese culinary expert for the event.
Television Appearances
- Food Network: Beat Bobby Flay (judge), Thanksgiving Show
- History Channel 2: United Stuff of America
- Today Show
- Fox TV
- Weekends with Yankee
- Connecticut Style:
- Classic 30-Minute Spaghetti Carbonara
- Orange-Olive Oil Cake
- Portuguese Green Olive Dip and Tuna Pâté
- Baked Ricotta Cheese
- Fennel Bake with Cream
- Pasta Puttanesca
- Sautéed Chestnuts, Onions, and Bacon
- Traditional Shortbread
- Cannellini Bean Salad
- Cilantro Pesto Sauce
- Spaghetti with Raw Tomatoes
- Turkey Chili
- Slow Cooker Chicken Stock
- Cooking with Parchment
- Better Connecticut
- Fine Living Network
Radio & Audio
The Splendid Table
- David Leite opens up about family and food
- An interview on the nationally syndicated public radio program “The Splendid Table,” where David Leite discusses his memoir, the complex role food played in his journey, and how reconnecting with his Portuguese heritage was central to his healing.
- The Splendid Table (regular correspondent and guest host)
More
- Martha Stewart Radio (frequent guest and guest host)
- WNYC: Last Chance Foods
- Mad Hungry Radio with Lucinda Scala Quinn
- KCRW: Good Food with Evan Kleiman
- WHYY: A Chef’s Table
- WBUR: Here & Now
- Food and Wine Talk Radio
- Food Talk 790 with Mike Colemecco
- Food Talk (Florida NewsTalk Radio)
Awards & Distinctions
James Beard Foundation Awards
- 2009 James Beard Nomination for Best Newspaper Writing
- 2008 James Beard Award for Best Newspaper Writing
- 2007 James Beard Award for Best Internet Food Site
- 2006 James Beard Award for Best Internet Food Site
IACP Awards
- 2016 IACP Food Writing Award Nomination for Best Travel Culinary Writing
- 2014 IACP Digital Award Finalist Best Food Blog
- 2014 IACP Digital Award Finalist Best Audio Program
Cookbook Awards
- 2010 Julia Child | First Cookbook Award
- 2009 Gourmand World Cookbook Award Nomination
Other Writing Awards & Honors
Houstonia Magazine
- Menu Debut: Fried Clams at Maine-ly Sandwiches
- A review of a Houston sandwich shop that references David Leite’s New York Times article on fried clams, citing him as an authority on the classic New England dish.
More
- Best Food Writing (Anthologized in 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001)
- 2012 Bert Greene Award Finalist
- 2011 Saveur Best Food Blog Awards Finalist: Best Culinary Essay
- 2008 In Magazine
- 2008 Philadelphia Magazine
- 2007 Rocky Mountain News
- 2007 Association of Food Journalists Award
- 2006 Bert Greene Award
- 2006 Association of Food Journalists Award
- American Egg Board’s Fellowship at the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow
- Alexa.com Chooses Leite’s Culinaria as Editor’s Pick for Glorious Food
Website & Digital Media Honors
- 2006 Saveur’s Sites We Love
- 2006 Finalist Gourmet Voice Awards
- 2006 Yahoo! The 9
- 2006 Food Blog Awards
- 2006 The Courier-Journal
- 2005 PALCUS: Learship Award
- 2005 World Food Media Award for Best Food and/or Drink Web Site
- 2005 Gremolata Distinction
- 2005 TheGoodWebGuide.co.uk Best Web Site
- 2005 Epicurious.com Web Sites We Love
- 2004 TheLastBite.com Featured Web Site
- 2002 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Web Site
- The Scout Report Featured Site
- Chef2Chef.com Culinary Hall of Fame
- Hub|UK Pestle & Mortar Award for Great Food Ideas
- Food Site of the Day
- 2003 The Beacon Journal
- Golden Web Award 2002 to 2003
