Jeffrey Spear

Based on an ever-expanding interest in global cuisines, the country of Georgia has been attracting attention, with restaurants and markets popping up in cities that are home to sizable numbers of the Eastern European and Russian diaspora.

The sun is shining, skies are clear and it's time for Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball. If you're thinking about snacks, there's considerably more than peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Read about these undiscovered treasures in the latest issue of Jacksonville Magazine's "taste."

Workforce development programs offer culinary training as early as high school - and offer professional chefs a growing talent pool for recruitment. The creativity and skills these emerging professionals display is incredible. Learn more in my story "Pathways to Success" appearing in the National Culinary Review.

I used to think there wasn't much in the way of flavor or distinctiveness when it comes to Gin. Based on my experiences with a number of Florida-based distilleries, there are some unique drinking experiences to be found.

Awareness of Georgia, a small country of around 3.7 million people, remains limited among Americans. There is, however, a growing number of restaurants specializing in its cuisine, especially in larger cities where populations include considerable numbers of Georgians, Russians, and Ukrainians. Additionally, the demand for new and exciting culinary experiences, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, is adding to the appeal of these establishments.

Did you know that 63% of food, beverage and hospitality professionals suffer from depression, 84% feel stress from their job, 65% report using substances at work and 53% feel they've been pushed to their breaking point. This story reveals some of the challenges facing foodservice and hospitality workers and some of the organizations that offer support.

While coffee and tea tend to be the default morning ritual for many, and eggs are undeniably popular most everywhere, many countries boast their own unique and distinctive breakfast dishes that are sure to brighten your day. The good news for readers in northeast Florida is that a growing number of restaurants, open for either breakfast or brunch, have included many of these items on their menu.

It's well known that music can lift your spirits and put a little spring in your step. When embraced by restaurants, music creates experiences that keeps guests coming back for more. Of course, serving up the winning combination of good food, good drinks, good tunes and good times requires a clear vision for how everything comes together.

It’s easy to understand that mood-boosting, high-fat and high-sugar comfort foods can be an effective remedy during stressful times. Whether you’re facing dramas, or simply need a little warmth and sunshine, there are places in Jacksonville serving deliciously smothered and covered comfort foods.

For the last couple of decades, food trucks have been finding their way into the culinary limelight. No longer "roach coaches" catering to an indifferent audience, they are bringing exciting new culinary experiences to the streets that are on par with brick-and-mortar restaurants. While their appeal is unmistakable, maintaining their popularity and keeping them operational takes a tremendous amount of planning, time and resources.

If you happened to be living in Los Angeles in the late 70s, you probably heard about Patrick Terrail. As the owner of Ma Maison, he created an inviting atmosphere, provided remarkable hospitality and launched "California nouvelle" cuisine. Equally important was the notoriety attached to the restaurant and its patrons, many considered some of Hollywood's brightest stars.

As a writer for several local and nationally distributed food publications, I encounter interesting new ingredients, talk to some of the most innovative and well-respected chefs in America and am introduced to innovative new ways to prepare food. Most recently, I uncovered an exciting cuisine that, at least here in America, is still in its infancy - Wafu Italian.

What is it about corned beef that elevates its stature to the level of an Oscar winning musical performance? What is it exactly that makes it so consistently crave-worthy and satisfying? From a historical perspective, corned beef (salt cured beef) has been around for a long time in many cultures. Today, you can find really good corned beef in many parts of the country.

Americans have a thing for hot dogs. Called by many names and served with a dizzying variety of toppings, any way you make 'em, we'll eat 'em. Whenever and wherever they're served, from backyard barbeques, rolling carts on city streets, at sporting events or carnivals, hot dogs are an indelible part of the American culinary narrative.