Thrillist • 13th December 2022

How Rappers Became Restaurateurs and Why It Makes a Lot of Sense

“A T-Bone steak, cheese eggs, and Welch’s grape,” goes the Notorious B.I.G.'s now-legendary line in “Big Poppa.” Those lyrics were my introduction to food in hip hop, and made an impression on a lot of people: Fans eat this exact meal in memory of the late rapper every year on March 9, the anniversary of his death. Biggie’s lyrics aren’t the only way that rap and food intersect. Hip-hop artists have embraced culinary culture beyond their bars in the last five years, creating and investing in food...

Food & Wine • 29th November 2022

How to Nail the Non-Alcoholic Happy Hour At Home

As the pandemic ebbs and flows, non-alcoholic and low-ABV beverages have become increasingly popular. While many Americans who perhaps over-imbibed during the past two years are now reevaluating their relationship with alcohol by either cutting back or removing it entirely from their lives, mindful consumption has been top of mind in other countries for years. “The pandemic put a lot of things under a microscope. I have friends with desk jobs that couldn’t go to work, so they’d end up having a b

Thrillist • 25th November 2022

‘The Big Brunch’ Star Chef Danielle Sepsy Has Mastered the Art of Brunch

The new HBO Max reality food competition series, The Big Brunch, has quickly become one of this winter’s must-see TV shows. Helmed by Schitt’s Creek co-creator Dan Levy, The Big Brunch highlights the stories of 10 chefs and their impact on their local communities as they compete to win a $300,000 prize. Among the contestants from around the country is the fan-fave chef/baker/scone queen Danielle Sepsy. As the owner of New York City’s The Hungry Gnome Catering & Baked Goods, Sepsy is the masterm

Thrillist • 22nd November 2022

Chef Sohla El-Waylly Talks 'The Big Brunch' & the Culture of Brunch

"Especially during the pandemic, a lot of restaurants have shifted to embrace brunch because it's more hours and more opportunity for business. I think it's really changed from just being like, 'Oh, here's this thing we have to do on Sunday.' There are so many more all-day restaurants now. Especially in New York, there was this wave of all these diners that were so vital. It was hard to see them go, but I feel like, in the last few years, we've got all these all-day cafes that are filling that g

Flaviar • 10th November 2022

Singer-Songwriter & DJ Aluna Francis Talks About Music and Cocktails

How would you define a trendsetter? Usually, it’s someone who figuratively colors outside the lines and adds their signature style to whatever they pursue. Such is the case for singer-songwriter and DJ Aluna Francis. Since 2012, the UK-born, Los Angeles-based artist has focused her boundary-breaking brilliance on the electronic music world. Initially gaining renown as half of the dance music duo AlunaGeorge, Francis has gone on to pave her way as a solo artist releasing her debut album Renaissan

Adweek • 28th October 2022

Canned Cocktail Pioneer Siponey Bets on Sustainability

The canned cocktail industry has matured. But as the ready-to-drink space has grown up, early entrants are facing new challenges after initially overcoming doubts about their viability.

VinePair • 19th October 2022

All Things Fall: Noble Oak’s 6 Best Whiskey & Autumnal Activity Pairings [Infographic]

After a sweltering summer, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief with the arrival of fall. Cooler temperatures (a.k.a. sweater weather) and apple picking are merely a couple of reasons to praise autumn. However, another treat is in the season’s pocket: the warming comfort of a dram of whiskey. And award-winning Noble Oak has the perfect expressions for brisk fall adventures. So, grab these Noble Oak whiskeys and plan for good times in the great outdoors!

Huffington Post • 11th October 2022

Meet The Women Pushing Boundaries In The Whiskey World

“Oh, you’re a whiskey drinker?” It’s a question that women in the whiskey world (including me) get asked all the time — and we’re tired. Unfortunately, the microaggressions implying that whiskey is a “man thing” still remain as much of a challenge today as they did a decade ago...

Texas Highways • 20th September 2022

Sip On This: Four Texas-Made Cocktail Recipes to Keep Summer Going

Sip On This: Four Texas-Made Cocktail Recipes to Keep Summer Going With these four cocktail recipes, your Texas summer never has to end Though one of Texas’ hottest summers is beginning to cool off, that doesn’t mean it’s time to give up refreshing poolside cocktails just yet. To satisfy your craving for a thirst-quenching beverage, we’ve tapped the expertise of four hotels from some of Texas’ major metropolitan areas. Can’t make it to one of these hotspots? No sweat. The beverage selectors hav

Huffington Post • 3rd September 2022

There's A Second Kind Of Bipolar Disorder. For Black Women, It Hits Different.

At 21, I’d moved from my home base in Texas to New Jersey. After completing a successful summer internship at Dolce & Gabbana in Manhattan, it appeared I had the world at my fingertips. While I was excited about the change, the dark cloud that had been threatening my disposition for a few years grew too heavy. The world was my oyster, but I soon learned that it would be accompanied by an unwelcome formidable foe. After an unforgettable summer, I returned to Texas with renewed perspective and...

Barleycorn Drinks • 24th August 2022

Distillers Are Embracing a Lighter Whiskey Style. But What Exactly Does “Light” Whiskey Mean?

When you think of “light whiskey,” perhaps diet culture or a soft hue comes to mind – especially if you’re new to the category. You’re right about its’ vivid golden color. However, there’s nothing remotely “light” in proof or complexity with this style of whiskey. During the 1960s, the popularity of bourbon and rye subsided, and vodka, gin, and imported whisky became the rage among American imbibers. “Many think the ‘light’ in light whiskey has to do with calories. Light whiskey was curated to

TIDAL Magazine • 23rd August 2022

Aluna Interview: “Black people can like dance music too.”

The singer, songwriter, and DJ revisits her own 'Renaissance' and reflects on her continuing mission to elevate the dance floor’s diverse roots.

Edition • 23rd August 2022

Ghetto Gastro Is Delivering Good Food and Social Awareness

This feature is in the Summer Digital Issue. There's a degree of humility, a dash of passion, and a measure of selflessness that comes to the fore of activism. While “putting your money where your mouth is” rings true, it’s the motive that brings about lasting change. For Bronx-born trio Jon Gray, Lester Walker, and Pierre Serrao of the chef collective Ghetto Gastro.

VinePair • 19th August 2022

How Starward Made Melbourne a Whisky-Lover's Destination

As people begin to feel comfortable with traveling again, many cities around the globe have reopened to tourists with open arms. While some locales are known as historically rich or replete with idyllic beaches, others are revered as happening hotspots for delicious eats and equally mouthwatering drinks. However, while there are multiple cities comprised of visually stunning sights and tasty F&B, one unique place has become the premier foodie destination full of award-winning wine and spirits: Melbourne, Australia.

TODAY.com • 26th July 2022

‘Black Mixcellence’: New book highlights the ‘integral role’ of Black mixologists in the spirits industry

We're in a "golden era of mixology right now," according to author Tamika Hall. Mixology, the skill of mixing ingredients to create cocktails, is an art form that’s existed for years. For how long it's been around, however, it's been plagued by a lack of representation — from the bar scene to the narratives shared about the origins of Tennessee whiskey. Which is why Hall, alongside acclaimed spirit ambassador, Colin Asare-Appiah, are here to enlighten the world with their new book.

Harper's BAZAAR • 8th July 2022

Refresh and Unwind with 15 Cool Summer Cocktails

Here, we’ve enlisted the aid of some of our favorite distilleries, restaurants, mixologists, and spirits industry vets across the country to share what they’re serving up this summer. They even provided the inspiration behind the drinks along with the recipes so you can tap into your inner bartender at home. Whether you’re relaxing poolside or thriving in AC to beat the heat, summer calls for having a delicious boozy treat in hand. If you have a palate for something savory over sweet, or are si

Oprah Daily • 28th June 2022

Turn Up These 12 Iconic House Tracks Ahead of Beyoncé’s “Renaissance”

Just days after announcing her forthcoming album Renaissance (set to release on July 29), Beyoncé's new single, “Break My Soul,” sent the Beyhive into a frenzy and onto the dance floor. Featuring Big Freedia, the feel-good track, which was coproduced with Tricky Stewart and The-Dream—who also cowrote Beyoncé's 2009 megahit "Single Ladies"—takes a nod at now-iconic house anthems of the early ’90s, including Robin S’s “Show Me Love.” But it doesn't come as a big surprise: A recent interview with

Oprah Daily • 17th June 2022

Grammy-Winning Bassist and Orchestra Conductor Derrick Hodge Creates a Powerful Legacy Through Sound

Not every musician boasts credits for the Super Bowl (the 2022 pre-game “Lift Every Voice” performance by Mary Mary and the L.A. Phil’s Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), Academy Awards, and Grammys in one year, let alone a lifetime. Yet, Grammy Award-winning bassist and orchestra conductor Derrick Hodge has accomplished all such milestones this year, and now he’s onto the next pivotal career juncture. On June 19, Hodge will make history co-conducting the Re-Collective Orchestra, marking the first-ever...

UPROXX • 17th June 2022

Barbecue Pros And Pitmasters You Should Be Learning From On Instagram

Many things in life warrant appreciation. There’s viewing the sunset at your favorite beach, the joy of tasting a new whiskey, or hearing a beloved band at a music festival. But as much as the previously mentioned experiences are indeed enjoyable, there’s really nothing like the sights, sounds, smells, and first bite of really good BBQ. The language of barbecue is one that I’m well-versed in, but even the most knowledgeable tastemaker isn’t too good to learn more. So where should the curious afi

UPROXX • 16th June 2022

Pitmaster Matthew Horn Shares The Keys To Making Perfect Brisket

“I try to preserve the foodways of the South based on what I grew up on,” he says. “And pay homage to the men and women that clicked for me – more so the women – that prepared food for me — showing them respect in everything I do. I’m not the man I am without the women in my life.” “I want people to understand that all this didn’t happen overnight,” Horn told me later. “It’s happened over a period of time. And I wanted to translate that into a book and give people insight on the journey.” This