Sourcing, preparing, and consuming food is one of the few constants we share across continents and cultures. I’m endlessly fascinated by the stories behind what we eat and go to great lengths to learn as much as I can about the food and cuisines I encounter. I don’t just want a slice of your grandmother’s famous pie, I want to see the recipe, know how it’s made, and sit down to talk to her about it.

With over a decade of experience in the food and restaurant industry, I’m intimately connected with all that happens before that meal hits your plate. In fact, the final product is often the least interesting - it’s what went into that product where you’ll find the story. Who made it. How it was grown. Where the tradition came from.

The more we know about what we eat and why we eat it, the more we know about each other and the world around us. That is what drives me.

Wine. Beer. Booze. Some of the world’s best tipples have less to do with alcohol content and more to do with tradition. There’s a whole world within that glass of wine; the people who made it, why they chose that particular grape, what it’s served with. Whether it’s a stiff shot of Rakija in Croatia or a cold Singha in Bangkok, the drinks that are served tell the story of where they were born and the people who created them.

For nearly five years I worked in the world of wine, with a special emphasis on the wines of the Balkans. I am deeply passionate about wine traditions and winemaking families. You can learn a lot about a place by drinking their local wine, and you can learn even more when you dig deeper into how and, more importantly, why that wine was made.

Along the way I’ve picked up a taste for local liquors and traditional beers. From craft beers to national brands, slivovitz to amari, these drinks are as much a part of their culture as art or music. They encourage and create special moments, indeed they sometimes demand them. They are signs of welcome, they create friends out of strangers, and break down barriers.

There’s a story in every glass.

I must have been born with a passport in hand; ever since I can remember I’ve always wanted to go. Go somewhere new, go somewhere unexpected, go somewhere far off the beaten trail. For my 18th birthday, when most of my peers were getting cars and cash, I asked for a trip to Cuba. Whether it’s half-way around the world or the next town over, I believe in exploring. There are stories out there that beg to be told, that teach us a little about how the world works and even more about how we work in the world.

Before the pandemic I spent almost half of my year traveling; mostly for work, but always for pleasure. About a third of my year would be spent in Southeastern Europe, with Croatia as my home base. The countries of the former Yugoslavia hold a special place in my heart, and I’m always discovering new stories and experiences in places like Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo. Now I’m mostly based back home in North Carolina, exploring all of the incredible things this state has to offer and looking forward to the day where I’m once again an airport regular.

The wanderlust is real y’all, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.