Interviewing strangers over a meal since 2008 (as featured in the Washington Post)
Very sad news with the passing of Cuban singing sensation Margarita Pracatan. Calling her “one of a kind” doesn’t do Margarita justice. She developed a unique style as a performer, winging the notes on her electric keyboard and singing however she wanted regardless of what the song required. If she…
The 63rd Throwback Thursday is my August 2014 dinner with Marlene Hall at Eamonn’s fish and chip shop in Alexandria, Virginia. Serving eight years in the Air Force helped develop her passion for helping veterans. She told me about her work with veterans organizations, as well as her other interests…
Back in February, before social distancing, I visited Atlanta for three dinner interviews — including today’s update, the 130th interview, featuring Chef Deborah VanTrece who owns the Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours. Her goal is to reinvent what people think of soul food, and based off the accolades she’s racked…
A new interview is coming Tuesday — although it was done in February, pre-social distancing and stay at home orders. I have that interview and another from February still to post, and am doing so slowly because I don’t know when I’ll dine with a stranger next. Until next week,…
British actor/comedian/writer Matt Lucas is singing his way toward raising £1 million for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and to provide 6,000 meals every day into London hospitals for critical care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s doing so with his quirky song “Thank You Baked Potato,” in which…
The 61st Throwback Thursday is my July 2014 dinner in New York with Matt Bauman, a man with many pursuits. He’s a busy actor, a realtor, and launched his own website that connects people in the theater industry with coaches and teachers, such as vocal trainers. We talked about all…
Ukulele-playing singer-songwriter Louisa Hall (the 57th stranger interviewed over dinner) has developed a stellar reputation for her solo career performing unique and funny songs like “Barista Boyfriend” and “Internet Love Song,” among many others. But she’s also writing and singing similarly amusing and heartfelt songs for Griefcat, a duo with…
New interview tomorrow (done prior to social distancing)! For today, here’s the 60th Throwback Thursday: dinner in June 2014 with Brendan Kelleher, who talked about his website Behind The Craft. Brendan, a beer enthusiast, used the site to interviews owners of craft breweries and learn about the process of making…
Frank Brigtsen, chef and owner of New Orleans restaurant Brigtsen’s, is currently social distancing at home during the coronavirus pandemic. But that hasn’t kept him out of the kitchen, and he’s just released a “Stay-At-Home” spring cookbook with 19 recipes. It costs $25 and can be bought directly from Brigtsen’s…
The 59th Throwback Thursday is my May 2014 lunch with classical cellist Daniel Lelchuk at New Orleans’ Tujague’s Restaurant. We talked about his life in music, including his current role as assistant principal cellist with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and much more.