savory team
Michael Adams
Managing Director
Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA
College: Orange Coast College
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to Describe You: Loyal
Favorite Cuisine: Mexican
Favorite Restaurant: Dick's Drive In (Washington)
Favorite Book: Grapes of Wrath
Favorite Movie: Field of Dreams
Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA
College: Orange Coast College
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to Describe You: Loyal
Favorite Cuisine: Mexican
Favorite Restaurant: Dick's Drive In (Washington)
Favorite Book: Grapes of Wrath
Favorite Movie: Field of Dreams
Emma Adams
Managing Editor
Hometown: Portland, OR
College: Portland State University
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to Describe You: Kind
Favorite Cuisine: Thai
Favorite Restaurant:
Farmhouse Thai Kitchen (Portland, OR)
Favorite Podcast: Crime Junkie
Favorite Movie: Booksmart
Hometown: Portland, OR
College: Portland State University
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to Describe You: Kind
Favorite Cuisine: Thai
Favorite Restaurant:
Farmhouse Thai Kitchen (Portland, OR)
Favorite Podcast: Crime Junkie
Favorite Movie: Booksmart
Will Hahne
Maggie
Wierzbowski
Editor
Hometown: Quincy, MA
College: Emerson College
Day Job: Head Usher
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to Describe Me: Hopeful
Favorite Cuisine: Spanish and Chinese
Favorite Restaurant: Tasca
Favorite Book: Frankenstein
Favorite TV Show: The X-Files
Hometown: Quincy, MA
College: Emerson College
Day Job: Head Usher
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to Describe Me: Hopeful
Favorite Cuisine: Spanish and Chinese
Favorite Restaurant: Tasca
Favorite Book: Frankenstein
Favorite TV Show: The X-Files
Cole Petters
Content Creator
Hometown: Saratoga, CA
College: Lewis & Clark College
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to Describe You: Social
Favorite Cuisine: Italian
Favorite Restaurant: El Sancho (Bend, OR)
Favorite Podcast: SmartLess
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Hometown: Saratoga, CA
College: Lewis & Clark College
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to Describe You: Social
Favorite Cuisine: Italian
Favorite Restaurant: El Sancho (Bend, OR)
Favorite Podcast: SmartLess
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Elizabeth Aikens
Web Designer
Hometown: West Chiltington, UK
College: Everest
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to Describe You: reliable
Favorite Cuisine: Indian
Favorite Restaurant: Canteen (portland)
Favorite book: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Favorite Movie: Interstellar
Hometown: West Chiltington, UK
College: Everest
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to Describe You: reliable
Favorite Cuisine: Indian
Favorite Restaurant: Canteen (portland)
Favorite book: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Favorite Movie: Interstellar
savory pack
Timber
head of puplick relations
Hometown: Damascus, OR
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Sweet
Favorite cuisine: Apples
Favorite restaurant: Fills Coffee
Favorite book:
And On the 8th Day
God Created Golden Retrievers
Favorite movie: Air Bud
Hometown: Damascus, OR
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Sweet
Favorite cuisine: Apples
Favorite restaurant: Fills Coffee
Favorite book:
And On the 8th Day
God Created Golden Retrievers
Favorite movie: Air Bud
Willow
furnancial advisor
Hometown: Ontario, OR
Savory or Sweet: No preference
Word to describe you: Hyper
Favorite cuisine:
Anything I can get my paws on!
Favorite restaurant: Mudbay
Favorite podcast: No Bad Dogs
Favorite movie: Best In Show
Hometown: Ontario, OR
Savory or Sweet: No preference
Word to describe you: Hyper
Favorite cuisine:
Anything I can get my paws on!
Favorite restaurant: Mudbay
Favorite podcast: No Bad Dogs
Favorite movie: Best In Show
Piper
Barketing Manager
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Introvert
Favorite cuisine: Whipped cream
Favorite restaurant:
Anywhere pup cups are served
Favorite book: Skippy Jon Jones
Favorite movie: Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Introvert
Favorite cuisine: Whipped cream
Favorite restaurant:
Anywhere pup cups are served
Favorite book: Skippy Jon Jones
Favorite movie: Beverly Hills Chihuahua
savory wine experts
Kassandra Briggs
Hometown: Southern California
Education: Cal Poly Pomona, Hospitability Management (2012)
Wine-specific certifications: Court of Masters, Level 1
Current job: General Manager at Restaurants Current wine obsession: Weird wines people don’t want to try – give me the odd blend you have never heard of, I want it!
Tanis Farlow
Hometown: Portland, OR
Education: Linfield College, B.S. in Physical Education (2019)
Wine-specific certifications: Napa Valley Wine Academy WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 2
Current job: Client Relations and Project Manager at Winery
Current wine obsession: The Corvain! Being the only wine-drinker in my house, I want to savor the special bottles I have collected. When I am not sharing a bottle with friends or family, I like to break out my Corvain to enjoy my favorite wines and help preserve them for a longer period.
Fi Gratteau
Hometown: Sunnyslope Region, ID
Education: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (2001); Oregon State University, B.S. in Viticulture and Enology, Minor in Chemistry (Present)
Wine-specific certifications: Currently certifying with the Court of Master Sommeliers
Previous job: Bartender and Bar Manager at various French fine dining restaurants in Vail, CO and Sun Valley, ID
Current wine obsession: My favorite wine gadget is the handheld decanter from Traveling Vineyards. I love that it is small enough to easily fit inside your purse. The design is quite clever and trendy as well. Oh, and I will never say no to a bottle of sparkling rosé.
Katie Herbel
Hometown: Salem, OR
Education: Linfield College, Wine Studies (Present)
Current job: Wine Club Coordinator at Hawks View Winery
Current wine obsession: My wine interests are ever-changing and open-minded, though if given the opportunity I will always choose to sample some dry sparkling wine, or Gamay.
Claire Kottenstette
Hometown: Solon, IA
Education: Oregon State University, B.S. in Food Science and Technology with a concentration in Fermentation, minor in Chemistry (2021)
Current job: Packaging Coordinator for a top Oregon winery
Current wine obsession: My decanter for aged reds and complex whites! I believe in allowing the wine to sit for 30 minutes to an hour before taking a sip helps the wine develop and bloom in glass. This is a fancy way of saying that the wine is waking up and getting ready to be the star of the show by releasing more phenolics and aromas onto the palate and nose.
Tracy Onufer
Hometown: Lansing, MI
Education: University of Michigan, B.S. in Chemical Engineering (1995); Troy University, M.S. in Management (2006); Naval Postgraduate School, M.S. in Defense Analysis (2009); Oregon State University, B.S. in Food Science and Technology (Present)
Wine-specific certifications: WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 1 + Level 2
Previous job: U.S. Air Force Colonel (retired after 25 years of service)
Current wine obsession:I am currently obsessed with everything wine, hence my return to the world of undergraduate education with students who could literally be my children. However, I am especially enamored with the idea of being a part of the process of creating wine!
Read articles
Education: University of Michigan, B.S. in Chemical Engineering (1995); Troy University, M.S. in Management (2006); Naval Postgraduate School, M.S. in Defense Analysis (2009); Oregon State University, B.S. in Food Science and Technology (Present)
Wine-specific certifications: WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 1 + Level 2
Previous job: U.S. Air Force Colonel (retired after 25 years of service)
Current wine obsession:I am currently obsessed with everything wine, hence my return to the world of undergraduate education with students who could literally be my children. However, I am especially enamored with the idea of being a part of the process of creating wine!
savory writers
Larissa Banitt
HOMETOWN: Portland, OR
COLLEGE: St. Olaf College
SAVORY OR SWEET: Savory
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOU: Creative
FAVORITE CUISINE: Mexican
FAVORITE RESTAURANT: Casa del Matador
FAVORITE BOOK: Kings Rising
FAVORITE MOVIE: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
COLLEGE: St. Olaf College
SAVORY OR SWEET: Savory
WORD TO DESCRIBE YOU: Creative
FAVORITE CUISINE: Mexican
FAVORITE RESTAURANT: Casa del Matador
FAVORITE BOOK: Kings Rising
FAVORITE MOVIE: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
portland,or
Shelby Burns
Hometown: Winter Garden, FL
College: University of Florida
Day job: Digital Marketing at a Nonprofit
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Positive
Favorite cuisine: Mexican
Favorite restaurant: The Dabney
Favorite book: Where the Crawdads Sing
Favorite tv show: The Office
College: University of Florida
Day job: Digital Marketing at a Nonprofit
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Positive
Favorite cuisine: Mexican
Favorite restaurant: The Dabney
Favorite book: Where the Crawdads Sing
Favorite tv show: The Office
washington dc
Michael Cannon
Hometown: Houston, TX.
College: University of Houston
Day Job: Restaurant Server
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word To Describe Me: Passionate
Favorite Cuisine: Indian and Italian
Favorite Restaurant: Pappas Bros Steakhouse
Favorite Book: Julius Caesar
Favorite TV Show: Married With Children.
College: University of Houston
Day Job: Restaurant Server
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word To Describe Me: Passionate
Favorite Cuisine: Indian and Italian
Favorite Restaurant: Pappas Bros Steakhouse
Favorite Book: Julius Caesar
Favorite TV Show: Married With Children.
Houston
JR Denson
Hometown: Washington, DC
College: University of Florida
Day job: Health Policy Advisor
(and part-time EMT)
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Random
Favorite cuisine: Anything with rice
Favorite restaurant:
It's impossible to pick just one
Favorite podcast: Revisionist History
Favorite movie: Clue
College: University of Florida
Day job: Health Policy Advisor
(and part-time EMT)
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Random
Favorite cuisine: Anything with rice
Favorite restaurant:
It's impossible to pick just one
Favorite podcast: Revisionist History
Favorite movie: Clue
washington dc
Beth Erickson
Hometown: Portland, OR
College: Portland Community College
Day Job: Oregon Employment Department Business and Employment Specialist
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Passionate
Favorite cuisine: Pastries
Favorite restaurant: Toki
Favorite book: Atomic Habits
Favorite movie: Pride and Prejudice
portland, or
Hannah
Gershowitz
Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL
College: Full Sail University
Day job: Freelance Writer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Vibrant
Favorite cuisine: Seafood
Favorite restaurant: Ruby’s
Favorite book: The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra
Favorite TV show: Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce
College: Full Sail University
Day job: Freelance Writer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Vibrant
Favorite cuisine: Seafood
Favorite restaurant: Ruby’s
Favorite book: The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra
Favorite TV show: Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce
New York
Dajha Judge
Hometown: Hempstead, NY
College: St. John's University & LIU- Post
Day job: Jewelry Manufacturer Account Exec.
Savory or Sweet: Savory with a hint of sweet!
Word to describe you: Real
Favorite cuisine: Seafood & Soul Food
Favorite restaurant: Mastro's Steakhouse
Favorite book: The Family Fang
Favorite tv show: Supernatural
College: St. John's University & LIU- Post
Day job: Jewelry Manufacturer Account Exec.
Savory or Sweet: Savory with a hint of sweet!
Word to describe you: Real
Favorite cuisine: Seafood & Soul Food
Favorite restaurant: Mastro's Steakhouse
Favorite book: The Family Fang
Favorite tv show: Supernatural
New York
Jessica Kim
Hometown: Fullerton, CA
College: UC Davis
Day job: UI/UX designer
Savory or sweet: Both!
Word to describe you: Creative
Favorite cuisine: Korean
Favorite restaurant: Yoko
Favorite podcast: Crime Junkie
Favorite tv show: You
College: UC Davis
Day job: UI/UX designer
Savory or sweet: Both!
Word to describe you: Creative
Favorite cuisine: Korean
Favorite restaurant: Yoko
Favorite podcast: Crime Junkie
Favorite tv show: You
san francisco
Joshua Kurnia
Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia
College: Iowa State University
Day job: Design Program Manager @ Qualia
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Spicy
Favorite cuisine: Italian & Thai
Favorite restaurant: Jitlada, Los Angeles
Favorite book : Humans of New York
Favorite movie: The Joy Luck Club
College: Iowa State University
Day job: Design Program Manager @ Qualia
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Spicy
Favorite cuisine: Italian & Thai
Favorite restaurant: Jitlada, Los Angeles
Favorite book : Humans of New York
Favorite movie: The Joy Luck Club
San francisco
Lauren Mack
Hometown: Miami, FL
College: Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Day job: freelance journalist
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: wanderlusting
Favorite cuisine: Taiwanese
Favorite restaurant: Eleven Madison Park (NYC)
Favorite book: A Light in the Attic
Favorite tv show: Seinfeld
College: Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Day job: freelance journalist
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: wanderlusting
Favorite cuisine: Taiwanese
Favorite restaurant: Eleven Madison Park (NYC)
Favorite book: A Light in the Attic
Favorite tv show: Seinfeld
New york
Mellissa
Meisels
Hometown: Portland, OR
College: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Day job: Ph.D student
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Focused
Favorite cuisine: Italian
Favorite restaurant: Forma (LA
) Favorite book: The Bell Jar
Favorite tv show: Veep
College: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Day job: Ph.D student
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Focused
Favorite cuisine: Italian
Favorite restaurant: Forma (LA
) Favorite book: The Bell Jar
Favorite tv show: Veep
nashville
Matthew
Mello
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
College: UC Irvine ('15) and UCLA ('21)
Day job: Land Use Planning Consultant
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Conscientious
Favorite cuisine: Cajun/Creole
Favorite restaurant: The Attic On Broadway
Favorite podcast: This American Life
Favorite tv show: Seinfeld
College: UC Irvine ('15) and UCLA ('21)
Day job: Land Use Planning Consultant
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Conscientious
Favorite cuisine: Cajun/Creole
Favorite restaurant: The Attic On Broadway
Favorite podcast: This American Life
Favorite tv show: Seinfeld
Los Angeles
Kathleen
Messmer
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
College: San Francisco State (B.A.)
& Academy of Art University (MFA)
Day Job: Journalist, Photographer
Savory or Sweet: Both
Word to describe you: Honest
Favorite cuisine: German
Favorite restaurant: Antiquity
Favorite book: 52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life
Favorite movie: Love Actually
College: San Francisco State (B.A.)
& Academy of Art University (MFA)
Day Job: Journalist, Photographer
Savory or Sweet: Both
Word to describe you: Honest
Favorite cuisine: German
Favorite restaurant: Antiquity
Favorite book: 52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life
Favorite movie: Love Actually
Santa Fe
Mandi Mikasa
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
College: University of Southern California (USC)
Day job: Food blogging
Savory or sweet: Savory
Word to describe me: Adventurous
Favorite cuisine: Japanese
Favorite restaurant: Benihana
Favorite book: The Nancy Drew series
Favorite tv show: Gossip Girl
College: University of Southern California (USC)
Day job: Food blogging
Savory or sweet: Savory
Word to describe me: Adventurous
Favorite cuisine: Japanese
Favorite restaurant: Benihana
Favorite book: The Nancy Drew series
Favorite tv show: Gossip Girl
los angeles
Melanie
Ochoa
Hometown: Miami, FL
College: Florida International University
Day job: Senior Communications and Marketing Coordinator at the Humane Society of Greater Miami
Savory or Sweet: Half and half. Always.
Word to describe you: Indecisive
Favorite cuisine: American
Favorite restaurant: Etch in Nashville, TN
Favorite book: Count of Monte Cristo
Favorite tv show: Law and Order: Organized Crime
College: Florida International University
Day job: Senior Communications and Marketing Coordinator at the Humane Society of Greater Miami
Savory or Sweet: Half and half. Always.
Word to describe you: Indecisive
Favorite cuisine: American
Favorite restaurant: Etch in Nashville, TN
Favorite book: Count of Monte Cristo
Favorite tv show: Law and Order: Organized Crime
miami
Cathy
O'Sullivan
Hometown: Miami, FL
College: University of Florida
Day Job: Happily Retired
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Wayfarer
Favorite cuisine: Mediterranean
Favorite restaurant: I can’t commit to just one
Favorite Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
College: University of Florida
Day Job: Happily Retired
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Wayfarer
Favorite cuisine: Mediterranean
Favorite restaurant: I can’t commit to just one
Favorite Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
miami
Julia Park
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
College: University of California, Davis
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Kind-hearted
Favorite cuisine: Italian
Favorite restaurant: Sotto Mare
Favorite book: “The Great Gatsby”
Favorite tv show: Friends
College: University of California, Davis
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Kind-hearted
Favorite cuisine: Italian
Favorite restaurant: Sotto Mare
Favorite book: “The Great Gatsby”
Favorite tv show: Friends
san francisco
Sarah
Plasencia
Hometown: Miami, FL
College: Miami Dade College
Day Job: Property investor
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Vivacious
Favorite Cuisine: Thai
Favorite Restaurant: The River Cafe in Brooklyn, New York
Favorite Book: A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
Favorite Movie: Schindler's List
College: Miami Dade College
Day Job: Property investor
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Vivacious
Favorite Cuisine: Thai
Favorite Restaurant: The River Cafe in Brooklyn, New York
Favorite Book: A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
Favorite Movie: Schindler's List
miami
Claire Primack
Hometown: Portland, OR
College: SCAD
Day Job: Graphic Designer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Expressive
Favorite cuisine: Mediterranean
Favorite restaurant: Cafe Mogador
Favorite podcast: Armchair Expert
Favorite movie: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
College: SCAD
Day Job: Graphic Designer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Expressive
Favorite cuisine: Mediterranean
Favorite restaurant: Cafe Mogador
Favorite podcast: Armchair Expert
Favorite movie: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
new york
Katie Sy
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
College: UCLA (Go Bruins!)
Day job: MFT graduate student
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Motivated
Favorite cuisine: Japanese
Favorite restaurant: Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles
Favorite book: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
Favorite tv show: New Girl
College: UCLA (Go Bruins!)
Day job: MFT graduate student
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Motivated
Favorite cuisine: Japanese
Favorite restaurant: Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles
Favorite book: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
Favorite tv show: New Girl
Los Angeles
Sheena Tait
Hometown: Nashville, TN
College: Middle TN State University
Day Job: Business Professional
Savory or Sweet: Savory
One Word to Describe You: Intuitive
Favorite Cuisine: Mexican, Indian, Thai
Favorite Restaurant: Superica, The Continental
Favorite Book: Mexican Gothic
Favorite TV Show: Arrested Development
College: Middle TN State University
Day Job: Business Professional
Savory or Sweet: Savory
One Word to Describe You: Intuitive
Favorite Cuisine: Mexican, Indian, Thai
Favorite Restaurant: Superica, The Continental
Favorite Book: Mexican Gothic
Favorite TV Show: Arrested Development
nashville
Mira Temkin
Hometown: Munster, IN
College: Michigan State University
Day job: Travel writer/theatre reviewer
Savory or Sweet: SWEET!
Word to describe you: Fun
Favorite cuisine: All-American, followed by Chinese Food
Favorite restaurant: Wildfire
Favorite book: The World According to Garp
Favorite tv show: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
College: Michigan State University
Day job: Travel writer/theatre reviewer
Savory or Sweet: SWEET!
Word to describe you: Fun
Favorite cuisine: All-American, followed by Chinese Food
Favorite restaurant: Wildfire
Favorite book: The World According to Garp
Favorite tv show: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
chicago
Lana Van Cleave
Hometown: Ponca City, OK
College: Oklahoma State University
Day Job: Yay! Retired CPA!!
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Traveler
Favorite cuisine: Italian
Favorite Restaurant: Ristorante il Refettorio
Favorite Book: Beneath a Scarlet Sky
Favorite Movie: Under the Tuscan Sun
College: Oklahoma State University
Day Job: Yay! Retired CPA!!
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Traveler
Favorite cuisine: Italian
Favorite Restaurant: Ristorante il Refettorio
Favorite Book: Beneath a Scarlet Sky
Favorite Movie: Under the Tuscan Sun
oklahoma city
Kristine Wong
Hometown: Irvine, CA
College: UC San Diego
Day job: Dietetic Student
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Joyful
Favorite Cuisine: Taiwanese
Favorite Restaurant: Joy on York in LA
Favorite book: Intuitive Eating
Favorite movie: Encanto
College: UC San Diego
Day job: Dietetic Student
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Joyful
Favorite Cuisine: Taiwanese
Favorite Restaurant: Joy on York in LA
Favorite book: Intuitive Eating
Favorite movie: Encanto
San Diego
