About Me

Hey there I’m Grant Flavin, and I’m really glad you found your way here to Duck N Sum.

Once upon a time, this site was all about food. And to be honest, so was my life. I spent over ten years in the thick of the restaurant industry managing a cozy little café that blended Asian flavors with a West Coast twist.

My days were filled with prepping dumplings at sunrise and troubleshooting espresso machines before lunch service. It was a wild, rewarding ride. And it taught me something I still carry into every review I write: if a tool doesn’t work when it counts, it doesn’t matter how nice it looks on the shelf.

After stepping back from the day-to-day of hospitality, I found myself leaning into another side of things testing and researching the kind of products regular people actually buy. From air fryers to fitness trackers to gadgets you didn’t know you needed until your third camping trip I’m here to put them through the paces, figure out what’s worth your money, and share it all plainly.

Grant Flavin
Grant Flavin

I started this blog in early 2025 as a way to stay curious and helpful at the same time. You’ll find honest product reviews, real-world usage insights, and zero sugarcoating. I don’t work for brands. I work for readers like you people who just want to know if that thing in their cart will actually make life easier.

I live just outside Portland, Oregon now, where I split my time between writing, gardening, and trying to make the perfect cup of pour-over coffee. My background might be food, but my interests run wide and that shows in the kinds of products I cover. If it’s useful, well-designed, and solves a real problem, you’ll probably see it featured here.

So whether you’re browsing for your next buy or just like hearing from someone who’s done the trial-and-error part for you, welcome to Duck N Sum. I hope it’s the kind of site you’ll come back to not just for answers, but for a little extra confidence before you hit checkout.

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Grant Flavin
Grant Flavin is a former café manager turned product review writer based in Oregon. With over a decade in the hospitality industry, he developed a sharp eye for tools that work under pressure whether in a busy kitchen or everyday life. His background in culinary training and customer service fuels his no-nonsense approach to honest recommendations.

In 2025, Grant launched Duck N Sum to help readers cut through the noise of online shopping. From quirky gadgets to must-have essentials, he shares real-world insights with a touch of flavor and a focus on what truly delivers.
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