FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Susie Davidson Powell is an award-winning food and drink writer, long-term dining critic (Times Union,) cocktail columnist and author of The Food Life e-newsletter (Hearst Media.) She has written and produced Kitchen Raid (Hearst Media), a 6-week online cooking course with NYS chefs and bartenders, and hosted DISH, a tasting series.

susiedavidsonpowell.com 
IG: @susiedp

RESIDENT DJ

DJ Trumastr is an international touring DJ based out of Albany, New York. Infused with a rich knowledge of music, this creative innovator spins infectious blends that transcend both cultural and generational boundaries. Although mostly inspired by the classic sounds of Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop, R&B and Soul, DJ Trumastr’s skill on the decks knows no limit. A master of versatility, this DJ/producer can rock any party from small private events, weddings to the big stage.

sayitru.com
IG: @djtrumastr

PROFESSIONAL FOOD & WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Konrad’s award-winning wedding, food and cocktail photography has appeared in Capital Region Living, Saratoga Living, Albany Times Union, DoNorth magazine and Eater NYC. Konrad shoots cocktails and menus for independent restaurants, as well as GrubHub, Doordash, Slice and UberEats. Raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Konrad now lives in Troy, N.Y.

konradodhiambo.com
IG: @konradshootsfood

CONTENT CURATION/SOCIAL MEDIA

Victoria Sedefian is a visual storyteller with an eye for playful composition, bold colors, and the intimate details that define a brand. Specializing in food and cocktail photography, she currently runs Citrus Forward Content for restaurants in Upstate New York. Favorite plate: Wontons in spicy oil. Favorite cocktail: Sidecar.

IG: @citrusforward

GRAPHIC/WEB DESIGN, BRANDING

Once a professional full-time touring drummer, once a museum curator — always looking for the next exciting chapter. Stephen Struss has lived many lives, but the constant through line has been a love for collaboration and creating. Now a full-time branding and creative specialist, Steve loves to help brands and businesses big and small to tell their story. Note: Hates coffee creamer, only drinks his coffee black.

enstrumental.co
IG: @stephenstruss

Cookbook author, editor, distinguished fellow of food studies

Bio: Author of eight award-winning cookbooks, Darra Goldstein is the founding editor of Gastronomica and editor in chief of the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Food

Studies. She has consulted for the Council of Europe on using food as a tool for tolerance and diversity and has held distinguished fellowships in food studies at the University of Toronto and the University of Melbourne. She currently sits on the board of the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts and is a member of the advisory “Kitchen Cabinet” of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Favorite plate is khinkali, the pleated Georgian soup dumplings that have a big topknot you hold while you bite into them and let the broth pour into your mouth. They’re filled with a mixture of pork and beef, or lamb, or wild mushrooms and herbs and are served with a fresh grinding of black pepper. It’s never possible to eat just a few!

Favorite cocktail: Caspian Anchor, made with vodka, sea buckthorn juice, and a little simple syrup. It’s a gorgeous golden color and has a lovely fruity taste, with a nice hit of sour from the sea buckthorn.

Favorite spirit: Zacapa rum No. 23 from Guatemala which is aged for 23 years. Mellow and aromatic with high notes of caramel and a hint of spice. I like to drink it neat.

Currently listening to: I’m currently in a retro Celtic phase and am relistening to albums I once loved like The Chieftains’ Tears of Stone featuring guest artists like Joni Mitchell and Sinéad O’Connor.

Beverage Director, Pretty to Think So, Freelance Beverage Consultant 

Bio: I'm currently focused on promoting diversity in the cocktail world through our local food system. My career has been shaped by extensive travels and culinary studies across Japan, Singapore, Italy, and Spain. These experiences inform my passion for farm-to-table and sustainability practices. Creating safe spaces in hospitality is part of my mission.

Favorite plate: Duck Confit 

Favorite cocktail: Paper Plane

Favorite wine/spirit:Cabernet Franc.from NY or South Africa or Mezcal since its history reflecting its many regions and people make it a standout spirit

Currently listening to: Clairo, Amy Winehouse, 50Cent. Jazz, Blues, Hip Hop samples

Bar Manager, Milas Restaurant & Bar, Schenectady

Brief bio: Currently focused on technique driven cocktails using fresh ingredients. I have 12 years in the hospitality industry between hotels, restaurants and bars from dishwashing to general manager. I’ve traveled throughout Southeast Asia. Last year I staged at the Attic Bar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, one of the World’s Top 30 bars. 

Favorite plate: Mini dogs with the works from Famous Lunch in Troy, NY or the Imberico pork chop at Milas with charred cabbage and Serrano ham manchego croquettes. 

Favorite cocktail: Currently, a Penicillin with extra spicy ginger

Favorite spirit: Gin or Mezcal

Currently listening to: Magic Slim or Tigers Jaw

Wine Director, Troy Wine Co. & Clark House Hospitality | Chef-Owner of The Pony Show

Bio: My greatest joy is bringing people together over a meal full of locally-sourced thoughtful food, excellent wine, and great friends. Delivering hospitality through food and wine service has been a lifelong passion and has opened more doors in my world than anything else. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside many incredible industry professionals, visiting farms and vineyards near and far, and putting on countless nights of service and events for loved ones and strangers alike. I can’t wait for more!

Favorite plate: This changes daily, but if I had to pick one year round plate (outside of a perfectly ripe strawberry or tomato in the summertime) I’d say homemade bread and butter as it makes me feel at home wherever I may be.

Favorite cocktail: Mezcal margarita

Favorite wine/spirit: Sparkling mauzac from France.I could say champagne, but sparkling mauzac provides the same luscious experience at a price you can pour for the whole party

Currently listening to: Mt. Joy

Owner and trainer, Synergy Fitness | Bartender, June Farms + McGeary’s Irish Pub 

Bio: Gym owner and head trainer Trinel McDermott holds a degree in kinesiology and offers 8 years of performance-driven training experience. Through his unique accountability system, Trinel offers a holistic, individualized approach built around patience, positivity, and perseverance to help members accomplish their wellness goals.

Favorite plate: I love steak, but I grew up in Jamaica so my favorite dish is stew chicken with rice and peas. 

Favorite cocktail: Old Fashioned

Favorite wine/spirit: Whiskey over a large ice cube.

Currently listening to: R+B

Owner of Kerstin Medwin Chiropractic; co-owner of Elevate Albany Wellness.

Bio: Dr Medwin has over 20 years of experience and in addition to treating the general population she also has specialization in prenatal and pediatrics.

Favorite plate: Sunday roast dinner at an English pub – the best comfort food.

Favorite cocktail: Gin and Fever Tree tonic

Favorite spirit: Tarquin’s Cornish Gin

Currently listening to: Reggae.

Owner, West Ave Pizza and West Ave Chicken

Bio: Pizza aficionado for 26 years

Favorite plate: Chicken Parm

Favorite cocktail: Mojito 

Favorite wine/spirit: Chianti

Currently listening to: 80’s Rock

Career Maitre d’/ Hospitality Professional. Currently: Osteria Danny, Saratoga.

Bio: With 26 years experience in the hospitality industry, Quang, a California native, made his debut in the Hudson Valley and Capital Region at James Beard-winner chef Zak Pelaccio’s Fish & Game in Hudson followed by Peck’s Arcade in downtown Troy. Having worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco, Quang wanted to bring a more refined approach to the dining scene in upstate NY.  His career includes restaurant chef/owner of Quang’s Vietnamese Bistro in Troy, General Manager of Sea Smoke Waterfront Grill on Green Island, 677 Prime, and is currently working as a server at Osteria Danny in Saratoga Springs to allow more time at home with his two young sons. 

Favorite Plate: Seared foie gras is my absolute favorite. 

Favorite Cocktail: I love a good stirred Beefeater martini with just a hint of olive juice and blue cheese-stuffed olive. I love the crisp juniper notes and subtle brininess. 

Favorite Spirit: I enjoy a nice bourbon or a rare single malt scotch – especially if somebody else is paying. I like my bourbon packed with ice, while I prefer single malt with one large cube. 

Currently listening to: Air Supply Radio on Pandora because the ‘80s is timeless. 

Head of door at Monsieur, NYC | Interior Designer | Bartschland Club Kid | Sex Worker

Brief bio: Born into hospitality, growing up in a Chinese restaurant taught me everything I know.   Having a design (and sex worker) background has led me to many client dinners that many could only dream of. From Per se to chicken tenders at a strip club. I treat them all the same and ask the simple question of “so was it good?” 

Favorite plate: My mom’s Shanghai short ribs because they are tangy, sweet, and savory fall-off-the-bone perfection. If you’re made these twice you are forever inducted into my mom’s life as her own child. 

Favorite cocktail: Mezcal margarita 

Favorite wine/spirit: Tequila

Currently listening to: Anyhouse mix of a classic song. Doechii. Lion Babe.

Owner and Founder of All of Us Events, LLC | Music Producer | DJ 

Bio: Shane Stiel is a Colorado native whose musical journey began with influences from hip-hop, 80s, rock, and EDM. Inspired by artists like Above & Beyond, Carl Cox, and Mark Knight, he started his DJ career in the late 1990s, quickly establishing himself in the nightlife scene. Shane’s international DJ career includes headlining major events across the US, UK, Canada, Central America, and Australia. Beyond performing, Shane is the owner and founder of All of Us Events, LLC, a premiere local EDM event production company located in the capital region of New York. This venture has further solidified his role in the event promotion landscape and makes him part of the forefront leaders in the nightlife industry both locally and internationally.

Favorite plate: Homemade Pasta with Crumbled Sausage Vodka Sauce. 

Favorite cocktail: Jalepeño Margarita with tajin rim. 

Favorite wine/spirit: Artemis Stag’s Leap

Currently listening to: Roosevelt (The Pandora station is on non-stop)