Food + Beverage

Behind the Scenes and the Seasons

Larder Foods connects Birmingham chefs to earth’s bounty  Article by Denise K. James | Photography by Andrew Thomas Lee The morning I was scheduled to speak to Knox Fanelli, we had to switch our call from video to phone. As the owner of Larder Foods, Fanelli was out and about, grabbing heirloom tomatoes for clients in the restaurant industry. “We’ve reached a point in the season where everyone else is out of them, but our Amish and Mennonite friends still have them,” he explains. “The supply...

Food + Beverage

Ben’s Friends

In the Service of Sobriety Article by Christiana Roussel | Photography by Mary Fehr The forward-facing side of the hospitality world is enthralling: farm-to-table cuisine, aproned chefs visiting tables of effusive diners, the dance of servers and an overflow of conviviality. The “Front of the House” looks magical. Behind the scenes, there is fire, heat, emotions running at full throttle. The desire to outperform, to exceed expectations, to succeed in the fast-paced, hard-driving world of...

Arts + Culture

Fruits (and Vegetables) of Labor 

At Sloss Metal Arts, the produce is always fresh Article by Denise K. James | Photography by Mary Fehr If you’re grocery shopping in the Magic City, there’s a chance you’ll catch Sloss Metal Arts staff members Virginia Elliott and Ian Skinner in the produce aisle, seeking a perfectly formed strawberry or mushroom to transform into food sculpture. International markets are another great scouting spot, and Mr. Chen’s is a favorite, especially after staff lunches, but the hunt continues even...

Food + Beverage

Snacks with a Somm

Uncorked & Unexpected Pairings from Rachel Mobley Photography by Ambre Amari Wine pairing has a reputation for being complicated. It conjures images of white tablecloths, elaborate dishes, and a sommelier debating Burgundy or Barolo. But the same principles that make a restaurant pairing work apply just as easily to the foods eaten standing over the kitchen counter. Rachel Mobley’s number one rule? Don’t overthink it. People can get so caught up trying to find the “right” pairing that they...

Life + Culture

A Shared Table

For Victor and Jessica King, food, hospitality and a love for Birmingham are always part of the conversation. Article by Laura SanchezQuan | Photography by Mary Fehr For Victor and Jessica King, the line between work and life has always been intertwined with food. The newly married couple built their careers on different sides of the restaurant world, but they share a belief that hospitality is about much more than what arrives on the plate. It is about generosity, connection and creating a...

Arts + Culture

Just Keep Painting

Two Birmingham artists inspire each other and future artists Article by Katharine Armbrester | Photography by GREDDINS A native of Georgia, artist Laura Deems moved to Birmingham in 2022 when her husband received a job opportunity. They’ve since settled into their home in the Hollywood area of Homewood. Having spent time in Charleston and Atlanta, where she was mentored by painter Sally King Benedict, Laura believes that Birmingham is “hands down, the most creative sphere” she has been in...

Life + Culture

The Gospel of a Good Fit

Jermaine Ervin is bringing 1920s New York style to Birmingham Article by Kali McNutt Birmingham native Jermaine Ervin's menswear boutique is downtown by design. Two doors from Armour House, the shop windows of J. Ervin Collection are dressed up for the viewing pleasure of diners coming and going. "You might not need a suit today," Ervin says, "but when you need a suit, I want you to remember this shop."  Ask him to describe his personal style, and one era comes up immediately: the 1920s. Not...

Home + Design

Transitional Modern Mood

Paper, pattern, and performance fabrics do the heavy lifting at this refresh by designer Kelly Neely Article by Kali McNutt | Photography by Laurey Glenn After relocating from Homewood to The Preserve in Hoover, the Rothermich family enlisted designer Kelly Neely of Kelly Neely Interiors to transform their new home from dark and industrial to colorful and cohesive. Working within the home’s existing footprint and without altering any architectural elements, Neely nixed heavy, black finishes...

Arts + Culture

Architect of Emotion

In The Soulful House, Jeffrey Dungan reflects on why the most enduring homes aren't defined by style or scale, but by the feelings they leave behind Article by Kali McNutt | Photography by Adrian Gaut "Be a good neighbor."  It isn't the sort of phrase one expects from an architect whose work spans continents. But for Jeffrey Dungan, it may be the clearest expression of his design philosophy. Whether he's designing a home in Mountain Brook, Nova Scotia, or the Dominican Republic, Dungan...

Arts + Culture

From Walls to Wardrobe

Inspired by Gracie's hand-painted wallcoverings, Gus Mayer translates the decorative arts into fashion fit for fêting Article by Kali McNutt | Photography by Mary Fehr One of Birmingham's most stylish evenings arrives each autumn with Gala in the Gardens , the opening celebration of Antiques at the Gardens , the annual benefit for Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.  This year's design sponsor, Gracie , the sixth-generation family-owned maker of hand-painted wallpapers, sets the...