Our Experts

Andrea Allen is the co-founder and co-owner of Onyx Coffee Lab. In 2020 she was named the U.S. Barista Champion, and in the 2021 World Barista Champion competition, she was named the runner-up. She believes that coffee is what brings us together, uniting every person along the supply chain, bridging gaps between generations, and creating the space where all great conversations happen. Onyx Coffee Lab operates several brick and mortar locations in Arkansas, and has coffee available for purchase via their online store.

A classically trained chef, she spent years cooking in some of the country's top kitchens before turning her talents to the ocean. She's the founder of Nice Cans, a boldly delicious brand of premium seafood, and Langley Foods Inc., her CPG incubator for sustainable, joy-driven food. For over a decade, she has championed conservas, sustainability, and unapologetic flavor — earning recognition as one of Canada's most celebrated chefs and a true steward of the sea.

Chris Blatner is an Executive Bourbon Steward and the creator of the popular Instagram page @‌urbanbourbonist. He appears frequently as a guest whiskey expert on podcasts and is an independent consultant for whiskey and spirits brands. Blatner presents educational whiskey segments on local television in Chicago, IL as well as national television. Blatner also serves as the Executive Director of Bourbon Charity.

Chris Cusack has worked in hospitality for over 27 years, and as an owner for 19 years. He has owned coffee shops, cocktail bars, award-winning restaurants, dive bars, sports bars, beer bars, and pizza places. Cusack has created dozens of unique cocktail menus for all occasions, comprising hundreds of original cocktails, for his own concepts and others. He is a Level 1 sommelier and Level 1 cicerone. He currently owns Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, a cocktail bar and pizza place with two locations in Houston, and an immersive artist-led gothic tiki bar called Endless Bummer.

One of the most recognized and acclaimed mixologists, Cody is honored to be the first and only mixologist named to the celebrity-studded Food Council of City Harvest. Cody has been featured in various news outlets such as Fortune Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, along with television appearances on The Today Show, GMA, Bon Appétit, and more. Highly recognizable brands such as TAZO, DKNY, and Rao's Homemade Patron have partnered with Cody to be their spokesperson. Cody is also the co-author to the best selling "Tequila Mockingbird" 10th Anniversary Extended Edition

Doreen Winkler is a natural wine sommelier, orange wine expert, and founder of Orange Glou, the world's first wine subscription service a dedicated solely to skin contact wines and Orange Glou Wine Fair, America's first fair devoted to orange wines. Named one of "America's Top Sommeliers" by Forbes, she is one of the first sommeliers to create wine lists focused on natural, organic and biodynamic wines. She's developed wine programs for Michelin-starred restaurants, bars and retailers, including at Aska and Aldea in NYC, where her program received the World of Fine Wine Best Wine List Award.

Jae Choi is the executive chef and owner of Yakitori Jinbei, a casual, Asian-inspired restaurant in Smyrna, Georgia, specializing in Korean cuisine with an unexpected Japanese twist. After many successful years as an optometrist, Dr. Jae Choi sold his practice to dedicate himself to his culinary ambitions in 2016. He has curated a menu featuring handmade pork dumplings, his famous ramen that won "Best Ramen in Atlanta" by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Korean fried chicken that landed Yakitori Jinbei on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and more.

Jasper J. Mirabile Jr., acclaimed chef and author of two cookbooks, leads Jasper's Italian Restaurant in Kansas City — over seven decades after his father and grandmother founded it. Jasper studied at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and K State University, spending summers in Europe learning at prestigious cooking schools in Paris, Venice, and Milano. Beyond the kitchen, Mirabile is a prominent food media figure, hosting "Live! From Jasper's Kitchen" on KCMO Talk Radio and contributing recipes to major brands.

Jee Choe is a certified tea sommelier, certified coffee specialist, and creator of Oh, How Civilized, a site dedicated to tea and coffee. Blending expertise with creativity, she shares meticulously tested recipes, brewing techniques, and expert tips that make tea and coffee approachable for everyone. She creates simple and delicious recipes on Instagram and TikTok under @ohhowcivilized. She believes the joy of tea and coffee is in the ritual. It's her everyday luxury.

Justin M. Lavenue began his bartending career in 2009 while attending the University of Colorado at Boulder. After graduating, he worked at the Bitter Bar, one of Colorado's first craft cocktail bars. In 2013, he moved back to Austin, completed the BAR 5-Day Course in New York City, and joined the opening staff at Half Step on Rainey Street. Two years later, he opened The Roosevelt Room, which has since become one of Austin's most popular bars. He continues to manage his ventures, study for his BAR Masters certification, consult on bar and restaurant projects, and write cocktail recipes.

Kent Rollins is a cowboy cook and storyteller from Hollis, Oklahoma, who began his culinary journey cooking for hunters in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico. Raised along the Red River, he restored a 1876 Studebaker chuck wagon in 1993 and went on to earn the title of "Official Chuck Wagon of Oklahoma." Known for his cast-iron, live-fire cooking, Kent has appeared on Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, Chopped Grill Masters, and Cutthroat Kitchen. He now stars in "Cast Iron Cowboy" on Outdoor Channel, exploring ranch life and Western cooking traditions.

Kristina Lavallee is the founder and CEO of The Cake Girl®, a nationally recognized dessert brand celebrated for its stunning custom cakes, viral 3D creations, and elevated dessert experiences. A true innovator, Kristina has created edible art for celebrities like Tom Brady, Cardi B, and Jason Momoa. What began as a food truck has grown into a thriving storefront, national media favorite, and franchise brand. Her work has been featured on major outlets, including The Today Show, Food Network, and Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa Steele is a fifth-generation chicken keeper, bestselling author, and founder of the popular brand Fresh Eggs Daily. Dubbed the "Queen of the Coop," she's built a devoted following of nearly one million fans by teaching natural, time-tested methods for raising backyard flocks. Lisa hosts the award-winning TV series Welcome to My Farm (American Public Television/CreateTV) and has authored several top-selling books, including The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook (HarperCollins, 2022). Her next cookbook, In Season, debuts in 2026.

Mathew Woodburn-Simmonds is the founder of Home Coffee Expert. A website that aims to provide its followers with the best possible information about every step of the coffee-making (and drinking) process, with gear reviews and easy-to-understand explainers on coffee brewing methods. His obsession with coffee began during his college days when he worked as a barista in 3rd wave coffee shop and extended well into his time as a restaurant manager and sommelier. He is best known for his strong opinions around social media's obsession with adding anything and everything to coffee.

Michael Lomonaco is one of the executive chefs of New York City's iconic Porter House American steakhouse. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Chef Lomonaco rose to fame as the chef of legendary restaurants like Le Cirque, 21 Club before opening his first restaurant Windows of the World atop the original World Trade Center. He opened Porter House in 2006, and nearly 20 years later, it's consistently named among the best steakhouses and most loved restaurants in the city. Lomonaco also has an established career in food media, hosting shows on Discovery Channel and Food Network.

Molly Horn is the Chief Mixologist and Spirits Educator for Total Wine & More, the country's largest independent wine, spirits and beer retailer. She has over a decade of expertise in developing and managing bar programs. Horn's many responsibilities at Total Wine & More include tasting and marketing new first-to-market spirits, as well as educating sales floor team members on spirits and mixology. Horn is passionate about spirits and crafting cocktails and uses her training as a Certified Sommelier to inform her tasting and reviewing process.

Nathan Myhrvold is the founder of Modernist Cuisine and lead author of "Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking," "Modernist Cuisine at Home," "The Photography of Modernist Cuisine," "Modernist Bread," "Modernist Pizza, Food & Drink: Modernist Cuisine Photography," "Modernist Bread at Home," and "Natural Wonders." In addition to being the first chief technology officer at Microsoft, he holds a doctorate in theoretical and mathematical physics, two master's degrees, and earned a culinary diploma in France.

Nicole Bean owns and operates two Pizaro's Pizza locations with her family in Houston. Trained in Napoletana pizza making by her father, she later studied American-style pizzas at The International School of Pizza. With seven years of experience, Bean serves Detroit-style and New York-style pizzas, preserving authentic regional flavors. In 2018, she received the Rising Star award at the International Pizza Expo Caputo Cup. Bean continues to perfect her craft in pizza and bread making, with plans for additional locations and restaurant concepts.

Nikesha Tannehill Tyson is a certified etiquette consultant, author, and senior etiquette trainer at The Swann School of Protocol Shreveport. Passionate about helping individuals present themselves polished, she empowers clients to refine their presence and social skills. With a background in corporate training and leadership, she leads engaging workshops and provides valuable advice to help others navigate social situations with confidence and grace. She is committed to upholding the timeless value of etiquette as a tool for personal and professional advancement.

Nisha Vora is a cookbook author, recipe developer, and the founder behind Rainbow Plant Life, a wildly popular vegan cooking website. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Nisha left her legal career to pursue her passion for food. Her second cookbook, "Big Vegan Flavor" (2024), became a New York Times best-seller and a James Beard Award nominee, praised as the ultimate guide to mastering plant-based cuisine. Nisha is a contributor to NYT Cooking, and her work has been featured across publications, including CNN, People Magazine, The Today Show, and The Washington Post.

Robbie Shoults is a true cowboy Celebrity Chef & Owner of Bear Creek Smokehouse est. in 1943, Marshall Mercantile, & High Horse 1898 in Texas. All his ventures reflect the family's roots in food, family, & faith. Whether riding a smoker to NYC for a TV show or heating a turkey in a dishwasher, he wins the hearts of Americans with his charisma and humor. He's often seen in top outlets like the TODAY show, CBS, Fox & Friends, Rachael Ray, & a five-time judge on Beat Bobby Flay, Southern Living, Martha Stewart, Taste of Home, Meat + Poultry, Southern Cast Iron, The Food Network, Yahoo! Life, etc

Chef Russell Kook, Executive Chef at The Bellevue, brings Midwest roots and Michelin-level experience to the table. A Le Cordon Bleu grad, he trained under acclaimed Chef Todd Stein, leading kitchens at The Florentine, Cibo Matto, and The Roof at the Wit. He's cooked at the James Beard House, battled Bobby Flay on "Iron Chef America," and earned a perfect score on "Hell's Kitchen." After a decade with top Chicago steakhouses, Kook returns to his roots, blending bold flavors, custom spice blends, and refined technique to elevate classic dishes.

Scott Thomas was sent off to college with a suitcase and a grill where he overcooked, undercooked and burned everything. After thousands of failures, and quite a few successes, two decades later, he started GrillinFools.com to show step-by-step, picture-by-picture, foolproof grilling instructions so that others wouldn't repeat his grilling mistakes. Scott is a content creator, recipe developer, social media consultant, and culinary teacher. He can create a video featuring your product, develop a recipe with your ingredient, manage your social media, and teach a virtual grilling class of 400.

Tiffanie Barriere is a BarSmarts and Bar 5 certified, award-winning bartender and educator known as "The Drinking Coach." In addition to amassing many of the beverage industry's top honors, she has appeared on TV shows like "Drink Masters" and "The Kitchen." Her cocktail recipes can be found in several books, and her work has been featured in Essence, Wine Enthusiast, and more. She is a respected voice on African American cocktail history, and her passion for Black culinary legacy includes work with the Smithsonian's American Food History Project and the American Women's History Initiative.