Denise Neil, a Dodge City native and a KU graduate, started as a reporter at the Wichita Eagle in 1997. She took over the restaurant beat in 2000 and has since built her popular column and Facebook page, Dining with Denise, where she keeps Eagle readers updated on all the happenings in the dining scene. She's also the author of the book "Classic Restaurants of Wichita," a look back at Wichita's long-gone restaurants that its residents still miss.

Denise is married to Wichita Eagle photographer Travis Heying and has two daughters: Alexis, 21, and Helen, 15. She loves to cook, cuddle with her pug, Walter, and listen to audio books.

Contact: dneil@wichitaeagle.com