A bit more
I grew up in North Carolina, usually nose-deep in a book or climbing a Magnolia tree. I love to discover new things and learn where they come from, and my favorite thing to explore is food. At a young age, I dove deep into the history of cheese and started sharing stories about cheese culture to convert anyone who would listen into another cheese-lover. Fortunately, my bizarre (but justified) fascination with cheese later carried me into the wider world of food, wine, and spirits.
I also love storytelling. Back in 2007, I began formal training in acting, writing, and directing at the Savannah College of Art and Design. It was not my goal to become famous on the big screen. Instead, I wanted to learn from personal experience without assuming personal risk, facing realistic conflicts and struggles through the eyes of fictional characters. I collaborated with artists from diverse backgrounds, met my wife Danielle (that photo up there is of us back in the day), developed a variety of artistic skills, and gained experience in both the entertainment and advertising industries. I emerged from SCAD in 2011 with a BFA in Performing Arts. I have lived and worked in a handful of far-flung cities, but my longest stretch so-far was spent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While there, I landed a job at WineAccess, where I continued exploring and sharing culinary treasures while building and honing digital marketing skills. I brought my family back to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2017, and I am thrilled to see the burgeoning food and beverage scene in my hometown – and in the Southeast as a whole. Innovative cuisine and unique beverages are being nurtured and embraced here, and I am ecstatic to be a part of that process.
.