Dan Macey used to cover Enron, now he discovers the beauty in food

When it comes to fabulous food, you know how to make it. But do you know how to best show it off to increase your profits?

Barry Childers, owner of the Houston, Texas-based chain Barry's Pizza, has been working with the same photographer for more than 20 years. "I've been working with my photographer for so long he can read my mind," Childers says.

Childers is "extremely happy" with his photographer's results for in-house work like menus. But when he was putting together a newspaper package and a TV spot, he wanted a food stylist to come in and jazz things up. Barry's Pizza's regular pictures "look like you put a plate of food on a table and took a picture," says Childers. "A stylist can do more. From the get-go, I've used people with the skills I don't have."

I know I'd feel like celebrating if my kitchen got a makeover, so it's no wonder Trexler-Haines is throwing an impressive kitchen party at its new Regional Kitchen Showroom containing 11 kitchens equipped with the latest in high-end appliances. And the best part about the party is that you're invited!

DALLAS, Tex. -- The Oakland, California-based team of photographer Maren Caruso and food stylist Michael Recchiuti won the “Best in Show” award at a recent international food photography exhibit and contest held by the International Association of Culinary Professionals at its recent annual meeting in Dallas.

For the umpteenth time, food stylist Dan Macey finds himself responding to the question "So, what exactly is it that you do?"

He starts with a pat answer: "Any food you see in print, television or packaging is probably made by a food stylist."
Then, eager to show as well as tell, he proceeds into a lively demonstration that takes him up and down the 13-foot-long parallel islands in his immaculate kitchen with vaulted ceiling, skylights, and cobalt-blue cabinets.