Mary Paganelli
Mary Paganelli is the Communications Coordinator for Keystone-Pacific and BASICS Markets. She is an author, writer, chef, recipe tester, food stylist, photographer and editor.
Paganelli is the co-author of the seminal book on Tohono O’odham foodways, From I’itoi’s Garden: Tohono O’odham Food Traditions. She is also the author of the Insiders’ Guides to Tucson and The Food Lovers’ Guide to Tucson (Globe-Pequot Press). She has contributed food and travel articles to Tucson Lifestyle Magazine and EdibleBaja.
In addition, she was the Production Assistant and writer for the Emmy award winning PBS Series Seasoned With Spirit: A Native Cook’s Journey, (Tohono O’odham episode); Food Stylist for Steven Raichlen’s Primal Grill; Culinary Consultant to UK Discovery Channel’s Marooned with Ed Stafford; and featured on the nationally syndicated television program Flip My Food with Chef Jeff where she provided food styling, production and development support. She also worked as a test chef for Canyon Ranch.
She designed the menu and served as the as the Chef Consultant for the Desert Rain Café located on the Tohono O’odham Nation. Featured in numerous publications, on television and radio, The Desert Rain Café featured traditional O’odham foods prepared in delicious and nutritious ways. She was the Founder and Editorial Director of Native Foodways Magazine, the first consumer magazine dedicated to showcasing Native American foodways.
She is a graduate of Vassar College, and holds Master Certificates in Cooking and Baking from the New School for Social Research. Mary externed at the Food Network and is a Board Member of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Portland Chapter. She lives in Portland, Oregon.