Food + Beverage

Food: The Universal Language

Recipes, rituals, and the heart of family Article by Katrina M. Randall Despite differences in culture, geography, and taste, food is a universal experience. It sustains us, but it also brings people together. For this feature, we invited local residents from all walks of life to share personal reflections on how food has shaped their family. What role does food or sharing a meal play in your family life?   “It’s the way I show love. For me it's about compassion, connection, caring. I don’t...

Food + Beverage

Mocktail Mavens: Meet the Innovators Changing How Rochester Drinks

Redefining social drinking, two Rochester women are leading the sober-curious movement with taste and style. Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Submitted Roughly two-and-a-half years ago, Sandy Blair put down her glass of wine for good. Like many who choose the sober-curious path, she quickly realized that letting go of alcohol is easier said than done—especially in a world of mommy wine culture, beer bros, and endless happy hours. “I was trying to figure out how to live a sober...

Food + Beverage

Produce to the People

How one urban farm is fighting food insecurity Article by Sarah Keeler | Photography by Volunteers of America When Jason Delooze hauls bundles of microgreens, lettuce, and herbs to a Rochester food pantry each week, he’s delivering more than salad ingredients. For Delooze, program manager of The Farm, the produce shows how urban farming can break cycles of food insecurity. The Farm, run by Volunteers of America (VOA), aims to eliminate barriers to fresh food access for the 91,000 Monroe...

Food + Beverage

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Inside the kitchens and hearts of eateries that have stood the test of time. Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Submitted Back in the days of “Cheers,” the theme song promised a bar “where everybody knows your name.” But for restaurant owners, surviving long enough is no small feat. Nearly half of all restaurants close within five years, according to a Restaurant Growth study. But in Rochester, some restaurant owners have not only beaten the odds but thrived for 25 years or more...