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Cuisine Noir
Park Slope’s Good Wine in Brooklyn is a Food Lover’s Find
The Brooklyn-based wine shop builds community with fine wine and good food. Before her foray into wine retail, Heather Johnston had already had her first taste of working in the food and wine industry as a chef and writer. The owner of Good Wine in Brooklyn, New York is a seasoned food and wine writer and one of the earliest Google Channel Partners with her YouTube cooking channel, SoGoodTV. “I wasn’t shooting to own a wine shop,” she says, of her Brooklyn retail space. She was eyeing magazine writing, but food columns and editors were being eliminated and she had to...
4 of the Most Underrated Wine Countries to Visit
Planning a trip where wine is the focus? Don’t underestimate the areas that don’t get the spotlight. Explore the most underrated wine countries to visit here! Want to get out of your town and enjoy wine outside of the realm of your couch? You’re not alone! Start planning a wine trip so that you can enjoy two of your favorite things—wine and travel. Explore some of the most underrated wine countries to visit that are both beautiful and price-conscious. Take a look! Canada You may only think of the United States when it comes to wine in North America, but you’re missing...
Dr. Brooke Brimm Drops Vegan Knowledge on the Culture
If you are a hip hop head or fan of hip hop, you can recall the first time you were introduced to the culture. It was 1979 and the “Rapper’s Delight” song by the Sugar Hill Gang had you bopping down your imaginary Soul Train line. Remember the iconic yet humorous lyrics where rapper Wonder Mike was lamenting over an invitation to dinner at a friend’s house and the food was dreadful? Soggy macaroni, mushy peas, something that resembled cheese, and less than stellar poultry were on the menu that night. Considering that chicken is a beloved staple in the African...
The Black Heritage of Kentucky Bourbon
A couple of years ago, the city of Louisville pulled together a dynamic team from various museums, services, and skillsets to establish lessons in Kentucky bourbon’s Black heritage called The Unfiltered Truth Collection. Included is the history of bourbon explained through The Ideal Bartender Experience at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience or Black Americans in Bourbon at the Frazier History Museum. While in attendance, one of the main facts visitors learn is the secret to good bourbon—water. “Kentucky is the mecca of bourbon,” says Greg Ward, training and development manager of the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. “Obviously, every other city and every...
Sonoma’s Corner 103 Creates a New Wine Tasting Room Experience
There is a sign on the side of the road as you begin to drive down Highway 121 that not only welcomes you to Sonoma County but makes a point to let you know that you are in the “real wine country.” I chuckle at the snobbery and continue enjoying the sights while passing one of my favorite wineries, Gloria Ferrer. I am headed to an early wine tasting and interview with Lloyd Davis, owner of Corner 103, the city and county’s first Black-owned winery. Upon arrival, I am welcomed by Davis and immediately notice a restaurant-style tasting room sans a...
Tampa Bay’s Rich Diverse Cultural Exchange and Bites
Tampa is a dynamic destination known for delectable dishes and diversity. Located on Florida’s gulf coast, Tampa Bay awaits and welcomes you. Currently, the state has no travel restrictions. However, wearing a mask is highly advised as well as avoiding crowded places. Still, you can safely enjoy the beauty of the city and it does not matter if you are traveling solo, with your family, friends or as a couple. Tampa has plenty to do and see. The Beauty of Tampa Bay Something is always happening in Tampa, and the Riverwalk is a great place to start your trip. However, it is...
Ian Burrell on a Quest to Decolonize the Rum Industry with Equiano
When thirsty patrons enter a bar, the opportunity to bask at the array of spirits is always invigorating. However, for some, honing in on liquor labels with deep traumatic roots can be triggering. This phenomenon notoriously occurs with one of the more popular and globally known spirits—rum. Many rum brands have the word “plantation” marketed across their label and for years, this has become mainstream in this drink world. However, many critics call for removing the word plantation from titles because of its deep ties to enslavement. And Ian Burrell, who is most commonly known as the Global Rum Ambassador, is...
20 Reasons to Escape to Zimbabwe
Traveling to South Africa or going on a safari in the Serengeti sounds sexy, doesn’t it? However, exploring Zimbabwe will be just as fulfilling, maybe even more so. Zim, as Zimbabwe is affectionately called, has a lot to offer. The land is rich in gold and offers some of Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes. Zimbabwe is surrounded by land on all sides: Botswana is to the west, Zambia is north, to the east is Mozambique, and south is South Africa. Even though it’s completely landlocked, it has an interior beach (Binja Beach) full of crocodiles. It’s also an open country full of...
Mawa McQueen’s Granola Brand Nourishes with Handmade Snack
Chef Mawa McQueen launches a healthy alternative during global pandemic. When chef Mawa McQueen, founder of Mawa’s Kitchen in Aspen and The Crepe Shack in Snowmass Village, both in Colorado, had to restrict business operations as the pandemic intensified in 2020, little did she know she’d be launching a new organic snack brand: Mawa’s GrainFreeNola (MGFN). Unlike most granolas made with oats, grains and sugar, MGFN is organic, paleo, vegan and gluten-free. McQueen first began making the snack for personal consumption, prepping small batches at home, and only selling the excess at her restaurant. What she hadn’t been paying attention to would...
Shorne Benjamin Sets the Bar High for Caribbean Restaurants in Brooklyn
The look of enjoyment spreading across a talk show celebrity’s face explains why a Brooklyn chef’s oxtail grilled cheese became a social media sensation. When Tamron Hall chowed down on the Fat Fowl eatery’s specialty, it confirmed why the sandwich generated so much buzz. Foodies consider Shorne Benjamin’s creation one of the best dishes at Caribbean restaurants in Brooklyn. “That was a proud moment. You work so hard, and all of it is a labor of love,” says Benjamin. I waited my time, making sacrifices. The reward later on, like this, is amazing. I feel good about the people who have...
Bee d’Vine Wines Gives Oenophiles New Honey Wine Varietals
Changing the acceptance and perception of honey wine globally. Often the smallest spark of an idea results in the pursuit of a magical dream. And for some, that dream turns to reality. In Ayele Solomon’s case, that moment transpired when he established the Honey Wine Company six years ago in Sonoma, California. Inspired by the traditional t’ej honey wine from his native Ethiopia, he formulated a concoction that would cater to a broader audience of grape wine and craft beer lovers by applying new wine styles. The result is Bee d’Vine Honey Wine, which is available on the website, at select...
Black Girl Tamales: Where South of the Border Meets Soul Food
What happens when a Black girl reimages a tamale? Magic. A tamale is traditional Mexican food made with masa and filled with meat (chicken, beef or pork), vegetables or beans and cheese. It is wrapped in a corn husk and then steamed. If you’ve never tried one before, we have a fascinating story that will change that. Chef LaToya Larkin, who owns Not Enough Thyme Personal Chef Services in Houston, Texas, has created several versions of the popular dish based on her Southern roots. As a result, in 2019, she launched Black Girl Tamales to an overwhelming response. Before COVID-19, she...
African Restaurants in Paris Represent Culture and Culinary Innovation
There are 54 fully recognized sovereign states in Africa and according to Robin Bates, founder and CEO of Café de la Soul and founder and executive director of Maison Noire Américaine, almost every country is represented among African restaurants in Paris. This is a telltale sign of the delectable influence Africans have in the City of Lights. Serving as your culinary guides, Bates and vegan chef and restaurant owner, Patrick Ossié have you covered when it comes to discovering and experiencing African restaurants in Paris. African influence in Paris “France, unfortunately, has a history with Africa in the form of colonization,” says Bates,...
Bazodee Adds More Reasons to Love Caribbean Flavors
Bazodee’s offerings invite a taste of Caribbean flavors into your home. For Debra Sandler, CEO and Sauce Boss at Morristown, New Jersey-based Mavis Foods, LLC, makers of Bazodee pepper sauce marinades and seasonings, adding new products to her existing line of offerings for Caribbean flavors couldn’t have come at a worse time. As the pandemic was announced earlier this year and lockdowns advised, Sandler introduced two new products — Real Trini Curry and Tamarind Dipping Sauce. “My goal is to promote Caribbean flavors and food to as many people as possible and, there is huge opportunity for that,” she shares. “What...
6 Family Reunion Etiquette Tips for Spending Quality Time with Relatives
Are you familiar with the song, “Family Reunion” by the R&B group, The O’Jays? The lyrics convey the message of a joyous time for “the family” to come together and celebrate their heritage. The song summarizes the gratitude and excitement surrounding a family assembly. A family reunion is a grand opportunity to spend quality time with relatives. Your gathering may be as simple as a backyard barbeque or it may include other fun activities such as a picnic, talent show, game night, prayer breakfast and tours. When planning a reunion, consider a theme that would enhance family unity and pride, and...
Nicole Young and Frisky Whiskey’s Flavorful Sips Crafts Path to Success
Frisky Whiskey, an award-winning premium flavored whiskey, epitomizes quality and excellence. Crafted in Charleston, South Carolina, it was founded by groundbreaker Nicole Young and her partners, James Landis and Ken Donarski. Young is the first Black woman to own a flavored whiskey brand. “I saw a chance to be a trailblazer in the competitive spirits industry,” Young explains. “Introducing a game-changing product in a historic category like whiskey was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” Ambition Personified Young’s multifaceted career led her to become the CEO and founder of a whiskey brand. Reflecting on the journey, she highlights the challenges of launching...
Fifty Leven Wine Socially Sophisticated Wines Please All Palates
Virginia native strikes a balance between flavorful food and fine wine. When Kindra Dionne, owner of Leesburg, Virginia-based wine company Fifty Leven Wine, noticed how guests at professional networking events she attended interacted with the food and wine presented, one point became very clear—the wines and the accompanying bites were mostly mismatched. This usually resulted in much of the wine being left unconsumed. Mentioning this to an acquaintance then, now her mentor, led to establishing Fifty Leven Wine in 2019 and officially launching the company in October 2021 as an online retail business offering five socially sophisticated wines that have become...
How Urban Gardening is Transforming Communities and Health
You can grow food in just about anything: a plot of land, your yard, a cheap pot, a baby pool, or a grow bag. It is easy and affordable, and urban gardening is one of the healthiest ways to eat. This method is not limited to outdoors. You can grow food indoors year-round by applying the proper techniques. Awareness about the benefits of urban gardening is expanding, and people are finding that urban gardens are not only practical but a rewarding pathway to better health. Why Try Urban Gardening? Urban gardening is fairly easy and comes naturally once an individual is willing...
3 Best Breakfast Foods You’ve Never Tried
Are you tired of the same standard breakfast recipes you cook every morning? Then, check out this list of the best breakfast foods you’ve never tried. There’s a reason breakfast is so important. Whatever foods you eat to start your morning will affect your energy level, mood, and appetite for the rest of your day. Still, even when you cook a highly balanced breakfast, these meals can be bland. Here Are Some of the Best Breakfast Foods You’ve Never Tried Souffle Pancakes This Japanese recipe takes all the flavorful elements of an ordinary pancake and elevates the texture of this food to be...
Baja California: Where To Eat, Stay and Play South of the Border
Baja California is a state in Mexico located south of the California border. With the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico on either side, Baja has dramatic landscapes that span across mountains, sandy beaches, deserts and valleys. The Baja peninsula is one of the longest in the world, stretching over 700 miles from north to south. While the peninsula has much to discover, the two main regions worth traveling to are Baja California (north Baja) and Baja California Sur (south Baja). Road Trip Through North Baja The best way to start your exploration of north Baja is by flying into...
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