Our Experts

Angel Luk, RD, is a dietitian featured in HuffPost, Yahoo!, Newsweek, DailyMail.co.uk, MedicalNewsToday.com and Reader's Digest, with 129+ interviews and talks. Since 2012, she has supported the health of thousands of clients—from elite athletes at the Richmond Olympic Oval to bariatric weight loss surgery patients. Angel is the co-founder of FoodMysteries.com, and her two books are endorsed by New York Times bestselling authors. She has spoken at conferences like the BC College of Family Physicians and holds a Diploma in Sports Nutrition from the International Olympic Committee.

With over 20+ years in luxury interior design, Brandy leads Rinehart Design Group Inc., a nationally recognized firm known for refined, narrative-driven spaces. Splitting time between Atlanta, Chicago, and San Juan, PR, she brings a global perspective to multimillion-dollar residential and commercial projects. Her work blends creative vision with operational precision, always grounded in timeless elegance, client service, and a passion for design as storytelling. She also works in collaboration with Habitar Design in Chicago and is open to other partnerships.

One of the most recognized and acclaimed mixologists, Cody is honored to be the first and only mixologist named to the celebrity-studded Food Council of City Harvest. Cody has been featured in various news outlets such as Fortune Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, along with television appearances on The Today Show, GMA, Bon Appétit, and more. Highly recognizable brands such as TAZO, DKNY, and Rao's Homemade Patron have partnered with Cody to be their spokesperson. Cody is also the co-author to the best selling "Tequila Mockingbird" 10th Anniversary Extended Edition

Chef Daniel Ontiveros is the Corporate Executive Chef at Carver Road Hospitality, overseeing acclaimed venues including Carversteak at Resorts World Las Vegas, Seamark at Encore Boston Harbor, Rosevale Kitchen in New York, and Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar. A Le Cordon Bleu graduate, his career includes tenures with culinary icons Thomas Keller, Michael Mina, and Joël Robuchon. Under his leadership, Carversteak was named among Forbes' "Best New Restaurants in Las Vegas," and Flanker earned "Best Sports Bar 2024" by Las Vegas Weekly.

Doreen Winkler is a natural wine sommelier, orange wine expert, and founder of Orange Glou, the world's first wine subscription service a dedicated solely to skin contact wines and Orange Glou Wine Fair, America's first fair devoted to orange wines. Named one of "America's Top Sommeliers" by Forbes, she is one of the first sommeliers to create wine lists focused on natural, organic and biodynamic wines. She's developed wine programs for Michelin-starred restaurants, bars and retailers, including at Aska and Aldea in NYC, where her program received the World of Fine Wine Best Wine List Award.

Jee Choe is a certified tea sommelier, certified coffee specialist, and creator of Oh, How Civilized, a site dedicated to tea and coffee. Blending expertise with creativity, she shares meticulously tested recipes, brewing techniques, and expert tips that make tea and coffee approachable for everyone. She creates simple and delicious recipes on Instagram and TikTok under @ohhowcivilized. She believes the joy of tea and coffee is in the ritual. It's her everyday luxury.

Jerrelle Guy is an author, baker, food photographer, and lifestyle writer. She holds a bachelor's from Rhode Island School of Design and a master's in Gastronomy from Boston University. Through her work—including her debut cookbook, Black Girl Baking, a James Beard nominee; her upcoming cookbook, We Fancy: Simple Recipes to Make the Everyday Special; and her newsletter, The Dinner Ritual—Guy blends design, storytelling and recipes, offering a unique take on how food can nourish both body, mind and spirit for better living. She lives in Dallas with her family.

Jing Gao is the founder & CEO of Fly By Jing, a chef, cookbook author, and expert in Chinese cuisine. Born in Chengdu, Sichuan and raised globally, she returned to China to run popular restaurants and supper clubs before launching Fly By Jing. She's been featured in top publications including The New York Times, Forbes, CNN, and CBS. Her James Beard Award–winning cookbook The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp includes 85 bold recipes, and she inspires people to let their tastebuds fly with Sichuan-inspired flavors.

Joe Isidori is a Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, and co-founder of Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beers. A third-generation New York chef, he grew up in his family's restaurants, learning red sauce from his grandmother and chicken parm from his dad. He's opened acclaimed spots like Arthur & Sons and JoToro, and is known for blending old-school Italian American classics with bold flavors, modern flair, and a signature "keep it old school" spirit.

Chef John Politte is the owner and executive chef of the YouTube channel, It's Only Food with Chef John Politte, where he shares his recipes and seasoning blends. He learned to cook from his mother, gaining essential skills and a strong foundation in the kitchen process. Transitioning into the restaurant industry at 16, he worked in various roles before becoming a Dining Services Director in the Senior Living industry. Driven by a passion for teaching, he launched his YouTube channel to empower home cooks. His success with a seasoning blend led to the creation of Chef Politte Seasonings.

Justin M. Lavenue began his bartending career in 2009 while attending the University of Colorado at Boulder. After graduating, he worked at the Bitter Bar, one of Colorado's first craft cocktail bars. In 2013, he moved back to Austin, completed the BAR 5-Day Course in New York City, and joined the opening staff at Half Step on Rainey Street. Two years later, he opened The Roosevelt Room, which has since become one of Austin's most popular bars. He continues to manage his ventures, study for his BAR Masters certification, consult on bar and restaurant projects, and write cocktail recipes.

Maria Baer is the founder and lead organizer of The Baer Minimalist. Founded in 2017, her company specializes in helping customers create efficient and fashionable living spaces, aiming to reduce clutter and stress through customized, easy-to-maintain structures. Whenever approaching a new project, Baer tries to highlight the things that matter most and find a better system for being both organized + stylized.

Markee Manaloto is the Executive Chef at Mishik, a Japanese restaurant in New York City known for its Edomae sushi. He has more than a decade of experience working with the dish, as well as Filipino cuisine. A native of the Philippines, Manoloto began working in Japanese restaurants while attending college in Michigan. He previously worked at a variety of other notable New York City locations, including East Village favorite Kissaki, Japanese-Filipino izakaya Gugu, and the Michelin-starred Sushi Yasuda.

Matthew Rose, having earned the distinctions of Certified Cheese Professional and Certified Cheese Sensory Evaluator from the American Cheese Society, is a passionate cheese professional who currently resides and serves the food industry of New Haven, CT. Rose has spent over 15 years in the specialty foods industry, spanning a range of experiences from grocery, to independent retail, to A.I. curation, and specializes in the education and distribution of traditional, handmade, artisanal cheeses.

Michelle Wallace is the chef and visionary behind b'tween sandwich co., which launched in 2023 as a series of pop up events. Wallace's sandwiches proudly celebrate the diverse culinary culture in Houston, TX. She attended Texas Southern University before pursuing formal culinary training at the Art Institute of Houston. She has honed her skills in several esteemed kitchens, including as Executive Chef at Gatlin's BBQ for six years. Wallace recently competed on Bravo's Top Chef and was even chosen as a James Beard TasteTwenty chef for the culinary series Taste America.

Molly Horn is the Chief Mixologist and Spirits Educator for Total Wine & More, the country's largest independent wine, spirits and beer retailer. She has over a decade of expertise in developing and managing bar programs. Horn's many responsibilities at Total Wine & More include tasting and marketing new first-to-market spirits, as well as educating sales floor team members on spirits and mixology. Horn is passionate about spirits and crafting cocktails and uses her training as a Certified Sommelier to inform her tasting and reviewing process.

Nikesha Tannehill Tyson is a certified etiquette consultant, author, and senior etiquette trainer at The Swann School of Protocol Shreveport. Passionate about helping individuals present themselves polished, she empowers clients to refine their presence and social skills. With a background in corporate training and leadership, she leads engaging workshops and provides valuable advice to help others navigate social situations with confidence and grace. She is committed to upholding the timeless value of etiquette as a tool for personal and professional advancement.

Nisha Vora is a cookbook author, recipe developer, and the founder behind Rainbow Plant Life, a wildly popular vegan cooking website. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Nisha left her legal career to pursue her passion for food. Her second cookbook, "Big Vegan Flavor" (2024), became a New York Times best-seller and a James Beard Award nominee, praised as the ultimate guide to mastering plant-based cuisine. Nisha is a contributor to NYT Cooking, and her work has been featured across publications, including CNN, People Magazine, The Today Show, and The Washington Post.

Rich Parente is the chef and owner of Clock Tower Grill in Brewster, NY, where he's created a true farm-to-table dining experience — he and his wife Cassie raise their own pork and lamb for the restaurant on their nearby Clock Tower Farm, grow fruit and vegetables, produce honey and maple syrup, and more. A Hudson Valley native, Parente began his culinary journey at 13, working at a local deli. He later graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and cooked for heads of state and royalty at the United Nations.

Robbie Shoults is a true cowboy Celebrity Chef & Owner of Bear Creek Smokehouse est. in 1943, Marshall Mercantile, & High Horse 1898 in Texas. All his ventures reflect the family's roots in food, family, & faith. Whether riding a smoker to NYC for a TV show or heating a turkey in a dishwasher, he wins the hearts of Americans with his charisma and humor. He's often seen in top outlets like the TODAY show, CBS, Fox & Friends, Rachael Ray, & a five-time judge on Beat Bobby Flay, Southern Living, Martha Stewart, Taste of Home, Meat + Poultry, Southern Cast Iron, The Food Network, Yahoo! Life, etc

Silvio Correa's passion for cooking began at 14 on the beaches of São Paulo, Brazil. He mastered grilling fresh fish and meats over open flames, eventually becoming a sought-after BBQ chef in his hometown. In 2000, he brought his bold Brazilian flavors to California, co-founding Silvio's Brazilian BBQ and cooking for major events like Coachella. Today, through Silvio's Personal Chef and Tropicali Brazilian Kitchen, he delivers unforgettable BBQ and inclusive cuisine to private clients and top companies across Los Angeles.

Tiffanie Barriere is a BarSmarts and Bar 5 certified, award-winning bartender and educator known as "The Drinking Coach." In addition to amassing many of the beverage industry's top honors, she has appeared on TV shows like "Drink Masters" and "The Kitchen." Her cocktail recipes can be found in several books, and her work has been featured in Essence, Wine Enthusiast, and more. She is a respected voice on African American cocktail history, and her passion for Black culinary legacy includes work with the Smithsonian's American Food History Project and the American Women's History Initiative.