Assistant Features Editor

Kate Bradshaw

Kate Bradshaw is a writer and editor with the Bay Area News Group, where she covers food and features for the Mercury News and East Bay Times. She previously reported on government, education, inequality, the outdoors and food at Embarcadero Media in Palo Alto. Her work has also appeared in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and KneeDeep Times, among other publications. She graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA degree in English.

Location: San Francisco Bay Area

This recipe for sweet Hawaiian roll sliders was made popular on TikTok, and cookbook author Palestrina McCaffrey riffs on it in her latest book, "Unofficial TikTok Cookbook: Volume 2" (Adams Media, $20). (Courtesy of Harper Point Photography)

Sweet Hawaiian Roll Sliders, as seen on TikTok

December 26, 2025 at 5:02 p.m.

Looking for an easy, satisfying dish to bring to a New Year's Eve party? Here's how to make a batch of sweet Hawaiian roll sliders, as made popular on TikTok.

Chef Jeff Chen selects a variety of fish to prepare a dish for customers during an omakase dinner at Tancho Japanese Restaurant in Castro Valley on Dec. 10, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Omakase: The Bay Area experience in four restaurants

December 26, 2025 at 4:38 a.m.

The 'chef's choice' sushi meals may have been 2025's biggest trend in Bay Area high-end restaurants.

Vespucci Ristorante Italiano, an Italian restaurant in San Mateo, is set to close Dec. 31. (Kate Bradshaw/Bay Area News Group)

San Mateo’s Vespucci Ristorante Italiano to close

December 24, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

The Italian restaurant closes Dec. 31.

Hibari is a new kappo-style Japanese restaurant in Portola Valley that opened at the former Koma Sushi location. (Kate Bradshaw/Bay Area News Group)

Portola Valley has a new kappo-style Japanese restaurant

December 24, 2025 at 4:25 a.m.

Hibari brings chef-curated, multi-course meals with sushi and more to this mid-Peninsula community.

Cultural curator Patanisha Williams prepares to light the first candle of Kwanzaa during a presentation at the African American Museum and Library in Oakland on Dec. 30, 2023. Williams lighted the candles and explains the symbols and principles of Kwanzaa to people in attendance. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

8 events to celebrate Kwanzaa this year

December 28, 2025 at 12:29 a.m.

Festive, reflective and thought-provoking events are scheduled throughout the Bay Area the week following Christmas

It’s the culture: For the Bay Area’s pro fermenters, kombucha is more than a fad

December 19, 2025 at 4:06 p.m.

An ancient fermented tea drink that's fizzy, funky, a little sweet and and a little bit sour is continuing to spread its way through the Bay Area.

Jade Stevens, a public affairs professional and competitive cyclist, is the executive director and board president of the 40 Acre Conservation League, California's first Black-led land conservancy. (Courtesy Alexis Hunley)

California’s first Black-led land trust is building a new NorCal park

December 19, 2025 at 4:06 p.m.

A 650-acre undeveloped property near Emigrant Gap is being transformed into a park with camping, trails, fishing and more when it opens in 2028. We chatted with 40 Acre Conservation...

Employee Maria Viray makes a prosciutto sandwich at Genova Delicatessen during the deli's last day of business in Oakland on April 30, 2016. The deli had operated in the Temescal neighborhood since 1926. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Genova Deli closes Treat Boulevard location in Walnut Creek

December 18, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

Its massive sandwiches and more are still available at other Walnut Creek and Napa locations.

This recipe for baked brie, made popular on TikTok, is an easy, aesthetic and party-friendly appetizer. (Courtesy of Harper Point Photography)

Recipe: Baked Brie Puff Pastry, as seen on TikTok

December 18, 2025 at 8:46 a.m.

This showstopper of a holiday appetizer is decadent and easy to make.

These holiday snickerdoodles are imbued with eggnog flavor thanks to rum extract, nutmeg and extra egg. (Courtesy of Yossi Arefi/The New York Times Company)

Holiday baking magic: How cookies bring friends and families together

December 17, 2025 at 4:52 p.m.

With Christmas around the corner and the winter holiday season in full swing, it's time to turn on the oven and start baking cookies.

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