Karim Shamsi-Basha

New Jersey

Food and Culture Columnist at NJ Advance Media

Food and Culture Columnist at MosaicNJcom

Columnist. NJ Advance Media. 2021 Caldecott Honor - Cat Man of Aleppo. Represented by literary agent Wendy Goldman Rohm.

Articles

Affordable Eats: Which N.J. grocery store has better prepared meals?

2 weeks ago | nj.com | Karim Shamsi-Basha

For the Affordable Eats, for the next two weeks, I’m hitting grocery stores and sampling their prepared meals. You know, those ready-to-eat foods where all you have to do is open the package, heat, then devour. This week, I’m comparing the two biggest grocery stores in New Jersey: ShopRite and Stop & Shop. Next week, I’ll compare Whole Foods to Trader Joe’s.
Seriously, Karim! The cultural divide between wine and beer drinkers

2 weeks ago | nj.com | Karim Shamsi-Basha

I was hosting friends a few weeks ago for a cookout, and I wanted to get some beer and wine. So, I called one of those friends for a recommendation. I must let you know, this friend of mine is possibly a wine snob. No, he’s definitely a snob. And as expected, when I asked for beer and wine suggestions, he exclaimed loudly, “BEER?” Why would you want any beer?
Two N.J. residents honor fallen service members through Memorial Day project

2 weeks ago | nj.com | Karim Shamsi-Basha

Donald Sweeny and Janet Ashnault live in Cranford, New Jersey. He sells beauty supplies, and she works in IT. Neither served in the military at any point in their lives. Yet they founded the Cranford86 project in 2016, a website and Facebook page that honor the 86 Cranford residents killed while serving their country since World War I. “As a Boy Scout leader, I helped the scouts when they marched holding flags during the Memorial Day parade here in Cranford.
New Jersey’s 21 best dumpling dishes, ranked for 2025

2 weeks ago | nj.com | Lauren Giselle Musni |Karim Shamsi-Basha

Dumplings? We’re crazy a-bao them!Originating in northern China during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 A.D.), dumplings are, in the most basic sense, cooked dough surrounding some sort of filling. Dumplings can come in various shapes and forms such as wontons, baos, soup dumplings, shumai and several other varieties. As New Jersey is home to a plethora of Asian populations and cuisines, there is no shortage of fantastic dumplings throughout the state – you just have to know where to get them.
Affordable Eats: This N.J. pizzeria invites you to walk like an Egyptian!

3 weeks ago | nj.com | Karim Shamsi-Basha

New Jersey is known for its pizza, claiming the title: The Pizza Capital of the World. I admit, pizza here is darn good. Although I did write this article, you will hate me for declaring an Alabama pizzeria better than any in the Garden State. (Please do not start with the email attacks again.)The fact remains, the pizza here is good. Even Governor Phil Murphy declared New Jersey as having the best pizza in this video.
Seriously, Karim! Have you ever wondered if airplanes dump waste while flying?!

3 weeks ago | nj.com | Karim Shamsi-Basha

With all the problems at Liberty International Airport in Newark lately, including a shutdown, the air-traffic controllers’ strike, and not enough peanuts on flights, I thought it appropriate today to examine the subject of flying. Personally, I think flying all together is weird. If you think about it from 1000 feet, pun intended, you gotta admit the human need to zoom across the sky is a little odd. Ok, a lot, odd. It all started with two guys named Wilbur and Orville. On Dec.
This N.J. Michelin-starred chef leans on his international family heritage

3 weeks ago | nj.com | Karim Shamsi-Basha

Located on Prospect Street in Waldwick, New Jersey, Charlie’s Place may seem like your typical sports bar, with big-screen televisions and clients enjoying their meal while watching the latest game. But Charlie’s Place is much more than a sports bar with a huge dining room in the back, and withMichelin-Starred Chef Joey Sergentakis, 41, whipping up dishes that rival fine-dining cuisine. Chef Sergentakis gives a lot of credit to his family heritage.
Affordable Eats: This N.J. Salad House will keep you healthy for less

4 weeks ago | nj.com | Karim Shamsi-Basha

Salad House founder Joey Cioffi grew up working at his father‘s deli in Springfield, Cioffi’s Deli. “My father came to the United States from Italy with $20 in his pocket and with the hopes of achieving the American Dream.” Joey Cioffi said. “As a kid, I can remember doing everything at our deli, from washing dishes, working the cash register, cooking food, and fulfilling large catering orders.
Seriously, Karim! I’ve been 60 for six days. Lord have mercy!!

4 weeks ago | nj.com | Karim Shamsi-Basha

Oh, the joys of being 60! I turned that golden age on May 2, and I had decided before my birthday that I would embrace my age. It’s not like I can do anything about stopping time. Come to think of it, you can, according to my father! He told me the secret to stopping time when I was 18 and raring to travel from Damascus, Syria, to the United States. He said that we can stop time when we commune with our loved ones and live this life moment by moment.
7 surprising discoveries at the New Jersey Food and Wine Festival

1 month ago | nj.com | Karim Shamsi-Basha

I’ve been to more food and wine festivals than I can count. Hey, I’m not complaining! These culinary extravaganzas are a haven for learning about and sampling scrumptious dishes and delectable wines. Last weekend at the New Jersey Food and Wine Festival at Crystal Springs Resort, I was pleasantly surprised with some unusual facts. The event featured some of the world’s finest chefs and winemakers.