Rico Torres and Diego Galicia first met at a restaurant pop-up and quickly bonded over their love for authentic Mexican cuisine. The duo, who both have roots in Mexico, wanted to create dishes that reflected the flavors they love so much. Together they opened Mixtli in San Antonio, to showcase the diverse flavors of Mexico’s regions. Over 10 courses, they unveil the textures, flavors and techniques of a singular Mexican…

Meg Galus oversees the pastry programs of two premier Chicago restaurants. At Michelin-starred Boka, she might delight patrons with a yuzu-coconut angel-food cake or pumpkin mouse; at Somerset, her sought-after desserts include a “sundae-for-two” and a stellar sorbet lineup.  She's a three-time James Beard Awards finalist, and Jean Banchet "Pastry Chef of the Year", not to mention the subject of glowing press from Chicago Tribune and the New York Times.…

The trip that changed everything for Andrew? Traveling through France's Rhône Valley with his parents, and falling in love with winemaking as a teenager. He quickly left his UC Berkeley paleontology studies behind to pursue a degree in viticulture and enology from UC Davis’ renowned wine program. By his early twenties, he had founded his own eponymous winery in California's Santa Ynez Valley, so similar to the French terroir of…

Is there any sweeter sound than the pop of a cork? Kate Payne-Brown would argue no. As winemaker at the award-winning Stoller Family Estate in Oregon’s Dundee Hills—the first winery in the world to receive a LEED Gold certification for sustainability—sparkling and reserve wines are Kate’s forté. As a successful female winemaker in a male-dominated industry and a mom to two young boys. Kate’s also a passionate advocate for creating…

Akasha Richmond has two great loves: food and travel. Her namesake restaurant, AKASHA, draws inspiration from her trips through North Africa, Australia, Italy, India, Mexico–wherever her stomach takes her. The acclaimed Los Angeles-based chef has been doing 'sustainable' and 'ethical' long before it became part of LA's culinary zeitgeist. Since opening her restaurant in 2008, Akasha has been Included in LA Weekly’s '99 Essential LA Restaurants', featured in Food &…