At age 30, André Hueston Mack was named Best Young Sommelier by a prestigious culinary group, the first African American to achieve this honor. His career path led him to Napa to become sommelier at Chef Thomas Keller's French Laundry and to New York as head sommelier for Per Se restaurant. In 2007, Mack started Maison Noir Wines in Oregon, focusing on terroir driven wines with eye-grabbing labels designed by Mack. He also own ...

Theodora Lee leads a dual life as a senior partner at Littler Mendelson, specialists in employment law, and owner of Theopolis Vineyards in Mendocino County's Yorkville Highlands. A native Texan used to farm life, Lee acquired land to plant vines in 2001 and released her first estate bottled wines in 2014. Theopolis Vineyards' Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir have received awards and top ratings, earning Lee the moniker, "Th...

Florida's Gulf Coast is an important source for fresh seafood. For years, the region supplied 90% of Florida's oysters and 10% of the nation’s. Jeff Tilley and son, Reid Tilley, are partners in Oyster Boss, located in Florida’s Panhandle. Tilley explains the differences in wild vs farm oyster cultivation and processing and discusses challenges the Florida oyster industry faces, sustainability, best practices and why knowing...

The Massoud family has contributed to the culinary landscape of New York State since the early 1980s. Ursula and Charles Massoud founded Paumanok Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island in 1983 to produce fine wines from estate-grown vinifera grapes. They later acquired Palmer Vineyards. The family run winery includes sons Kareem, Nabeel and Salim. Nephew Philippe Massoud is owner and executive chef of ilili Restaurant in New Yo...

Chef Philippe Feret and wife, Marissa Feret, own Hilton Head Social Bakery, a must-visit spot for breads, pastries and other baked goods in Hilton Head Island, a top U.S. destination. Born and raised in Normandy, France, where he worked in his father's patisserie, Philippe served as Exec. Chef at legendary restaurants Windows on the World and Tavern on the Green. The couple discusses their popular patisserie & bakery
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Alpana Singh made news as the youngest woman and first South Asian to become a Master Sommelier. Inspired by her parents, Fijian-Indian immigrants who worked in food & restaurants, Singh pursued a hospitality career in wine and became a restaurateur. She is owner of Terra & Vine in Evanston, Il. Wine industry pros Rebecca Hopkins (founder) and Cathy Huyghe (co-curator) discuss A Balanced Glass, a supportive forum to promote...

The Cattin family has made wines in a village near Colmar since 1720, when Swiss-born François Cattin settled in Alsace in northeast France. Domaine Joseph Cattin is one of Alsace’s largest family-owned wineries,a leading producer of food-friendly white wines and Crémant d’Alsace. Jacques and Anaïs Sirop Cattin discuss why ancestor and winery namesake, Joseph Cattin was a respected viticulture pioneer in Alsace. They suggest wine a...

As President of One Fair Wage & Director of the Food Labor Research Center at University of California, Berkeley, Saru Jayaraman has spent 20+ years organizing and advocating for raising wages and improved working conditions for restaurant and other service workers. In 2020, One Fair Wage issued a report on increased sexual harassment against tipped restaurant workers during the pandemic, underscoring a call for change. Jay...

Georges Lorentz, 7th generation & president at Maison Gustave Lorentz, discusses his family's history and Alsace culture, cuisine and wines. Crémant d’Alsace sparkling wines and Alsace grands crus like Riesling and Pinot Gris offer versatile year-round pairings, from classic choucroute and onion tart to Asian curries, spicy salads and ceviches. Gustave Lorentz practices organic & biodynamic viticulture, resulting in fre...

Vintner, physician, mom and "the face of Argentine wine" all refer to Dr. Laura Catena, managing director for her family's winery, Bodega Catena Zapata, and founder of the Catena Institute of Wine. She talks about her dual life on two continents both as a preeminent wine producer and working as an emergency room doctor. Catena discusses the family's approaching to selecting vineyards, researching clonal varieties of...

Celebrating 260 years in 2020, Lanson Champagne has served as the official champagne for Britain's Royal Court since 1900 and is the official Champagne for Wimbledon tennis. Cellarmaster Hervé Dantan discusses Lanson's heritage and signature cuvees. Planet Cheese Editor Janet Fletcher has curated a selection of artisan American cheese boxes for Victory Cheese, a great gift idea that supports smaller creameries. Fletcher dis...

We visit the Niagara (NY) Wine Trail with Cynthia West-Chamberlain , who celebrates the 10th anniversary of her founding Black Willow Winery. Winner of numerous accolades for her wines, mead and business acumen, West discusses her journey from tech executive to vintner. Daniele (Dani) Nierenberg, cofounder of Food Tank, addresses global food insecurity and food waste. Nierenberg is the 2020 recipient of the Julia Child Award.

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Who doesn't the scent of fresh-baked pie? Food52 Baking Expert Erin Jeanne McDowell discuss the art and techniques for pie baking, from "The Book of Pie." Curious about crust? Looking for phenomenal filling ideas, both sweet and savory? McDowell has you covered. In her first cookbook, "Live Life Deliciously," Tara Bench (a.k.a. Tara Teaspoon, also the name of her popular food blog) shows readers how to apply cre...

Wine has played a fascinating diplomatic role in the U.S. White House, from state dinners to giving toasts. Author Frederick J. Ryan Jr. compiled extensive historical information, photos and menus in his book, "Wine and The White House: A History." Italy's Mazzei family dates to the 1400s in Tuscany and today owns three estates: Castello Fonterutoli (Chianti Classico), Belguardo (Maremma) Zisola (Sicily). Giovanni Mazze...

Considered the chefs' chef, Dan Kluger, owner of Loring Place restaurant in New York City, shares his thoughts on balancing flavor, texture and color in dishes. His cookbook is "Chasing Flavor" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). Jim Law, founder of Linden Vineyards, has been called the godfather of Virginia wines. He shares what inspired him to start his winery in the early 1980s. Linden Vineyards in northern Virginia produce...

Discover the Beaujolais Wine Route, 85 miles of bucolic scenery with picturesque villages, historic landmarks, casual bistros and hundreds of wine estates, many open to the public. Beaujolais is divided into 12 AOCS: Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages to the south and 10 smaller crus. Considered the gems of Beaujolais wines, the crus include: Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie, Chenas, Chiroubles, Régnie, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin-...

Gamay, the red grape of Beaujolais, produces refreshing wines that burst with juicy strawberry, blackberry and black cherry flavors and essences. Comprised of 12 AOCs, Beaujolais wine styles differ slightly based on location, soil, elevation and climate! Wines among the 10 Beaujolais crus can range from softer, perfumed reds to enjoy with charcuterie and lighter fare to more plush and structured styles with aging potential, ideal f...

If you enjoy fresh, fruity, food-friendly wines with good acidity, consider Beaujolais, a delightful French wine for today’s casual dining, from home-cooked meals to restaurant takeout. Best known for its red wines made from the local Gamay grape, Beaujolais also produces small amounts of rosé and white wines. Many are produced by local vignerons whose families have been making wine for generations. Beaujolais wines have a rich her...

Shannon Horton continues the vision of her father, Dennis Horton, at Horton Vineyards, in Gordonsville, Virginia. Dennis Horton brought Viognier to Virginia and reintroduced the Norton variety, native to the state. Horton produces more than 60 different styles of wines. Its 2016 Petite Manseng won the 2019 Governor's Cup. Alison Price Becker owned critically acclaimed restaurants in New York and the Hamptons. Now an industry co...