Allison Koncelik

Chocolate hippos is a "melting" of my love of cooking and travel.

I live and work in New York City...and spend my free time trying new recipes, searching out the best local restaurants and planning my next travel adventure.

For years, people have been asking me for recipes, cooking tips, restaurant and travel recommendations. My goal with Chocolate Hippos is to share my knowledge of cooking, restaurants and travel with anyone who will listen! Those who know me best know that I have a knack for cooking, entertaining, choosing restaurants, and picking perfect travel destinations.

I enjoy developing travel inspired recipes that anyone (well, almost anyone) can make at home. This may be an aqua fresca based on my travels to Brooklyn last night, or a recipe for deconstructed chilaquiles inspired by my most recent trip to Mexico. Along the way, if I love a restaurant, I'll let you know. If there is a hotel are place you MUST visit, then I will tell you that too.

A note about the photo....this was from my second trip to Africa in 2012...I was able to make it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and ate some amazing food on the way up. Be on the lookout for the African Peanut Butter Stew we ate at 16,000 feet....