It all started in a suburban Philadelphia basement, where one of Tom Iezzi’s godfathers—Pop Calvarese, a fresh transplant from Italy—made wine each year. The habit was nothing unusual or particularly fancy; many East Coast Italian immigrants made wine from grapes shipped in from California to South Philadelphia markets. Calvarese ingeniously used the wine as a […]
It all started in a suburban Philadelphia basement, where one of Tom Iezzi’s godfathers—Pop Calvarese, a fresh transplant from Italy—made wine each year. The habit was nothing unusual or particularly fancy; many East Coast Italian immigrants made wine from grapes shipped in from California to South Philadelphia markets. Calvarese ingeniously used the wine as a […]
Coca-Cola building on Preston welcomes first tenant Timbercreek Market wants to help you put supper on the table. Sara and Zach Miller had a clear goal when they established Timbercreek Organic Farm in 2007: Grow good food for the people of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Walk through the door of the Millers’ new venture, Timbercreek […]
I saw the TV ad for the wing eating contest. I texted to enter. I got a text back: “You are entered into the Battle of the Braveheart Wing Off Challenge! Prepare thy gullet.” I prepared my gullet. As challenge day drew near, I felt like something was up. Wouldn’t they contact me to let me know […]
It’s affordable, actually sustainable and certainly not the modern American lifestyle most have become accustomed to, with multiple cars per family, smart phones for everyone and streaming video on demand. The 5-year-old project called Living Energy Farm is an off-the-grid, zero-fossil-fuel-emission community in the works in Louisa County, described in two words by its creator: […]
Ownership scramble cooking at Bluegrass Grill & Bakery Chrissy Benninger’s been part owner of Bluegrass Grill & Bakery for more than five years. Just a couple months ago, she got a bee in her bonnet to make serious changes. Why now? She’s bought out her partners, Jim and Lalah Simcoe, and that’s renewed her enthusiasm. […]
As anyone who has ever worked in a professional kitchen—or any aspect of the restaurant industry—will adamantly testify: The life of a chef is by no means for the faint of heart. The hours are long and strange. The work relentlessly demanding, ulcer-inducingly stressful. And yet, we’re assured, profoundly rewarding. Nowhere is this dynamic of […]
New spirits tasting room headlines swath of beverage shake-ups Want to drink acclaimed Virginia Distillery Company whisky without dealing with pesky middle men? You’re in luck—the spirits maker is opening a tasting room to the public this fall. “Guests to the distillery will be able to tour the 15,000 square-foot production facility and barrel warehouse, […]
One of the stranger artifacts of working in an animal-centric profession is the need to clarify any time that we’re talking about the human world. We find ourselves saying awkward things like “I’m going to the people doctor” and “I need to pick up some people food.” I’ve always liked the latter. It evokes the […]
Crowded fitness centers can be breeding grounds for competition and hostility. Regular gym-goers decked out in Lululemon who eat, sleep and breathe working out can come across as intimidating to novices, and nobody enjoys being stared down by someone who wants a turn on the treadmill during peak hours. Sherie and Ross Flores, a former […]
It’s dinner time on Tuesday evening. I sit down to a heaping plate of the delectably aromatic Turkish meal I’ve been smelling from down the hall for the past hour, my stomach growling audibly. I fill my water glass, pick up my fork, look around the table at my dining companions and…wait. Five more minutes. […]