Mary Jo DiLonardo

Mary Jo DiLonardo has worked in journalism for more than 30 years, covering an array of topics including lifestyle issues, health, education, and nature. She is a first-generation Italian American who grew up with homemade bread, pasta, and pizza and loved when it was polenta day. She is nowhere near the cook her parents are, but she loves making pizza and can create a pretty fantastic chocolate cheesecake.

Mary Jo’s school and pet guides for Atlanta Magazine won city and regional magazine association awards. She wrote a travel book for Random House and has written for sites including WebMD, CNN, and Treehugger.

A passionate animal rights advocate, she has fostered more than 60 puppies, much to the dismay of her own rescue dog. Sometimes she even bakes them homemade treats.

Comfort food: "My favorite comfort food is a bowl of pastina. My mom used to make it for us whenever we were sick and that teeny pasta always makes me feel better."