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
Jim Juliano
Editor
Hometown: San Jose, California
College: San Jose State University and University of Vermont
Day Job: At Home Parent/Substitute teacher
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Kind
Favorite Cuisine: Italian
Favorite Restaurant: Nuestra Cocina in Portland, OR.
Favorite Podcast: Strong Songs by Kirk Hamilton, Portland, OR.
Favorite T.V. Show: The Wire
Hometown: San Jose, California
College: San Jose State University and University of Vermont
Day Job: At Home Parent/Substitute teacher
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Kind
Favorite Cuisine: Italian
Favorite Restaurant: Nuestra Cocina in Portland, OR.
Favorite Podcast: Strong Songs by Kirk Hamilton, Portland, OR.
Favorite T.V. Show: The Wire
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.
Read articles
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.
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
Kathy Condon
Hometown: Palm Springs, California
College: University of the Virgin Islands
Day Job: Journalist and Travel Writer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to Describe you: Curious
Favorite Cuisine: French
Favorite Restaurant: Spencer’s
Favorite Book: Song of the Lark
Favorite Movie: Dead Poets Society
College: University of the Virgin Islands
Day Job: Journalist and Travel Writer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to Describe you: Curious
Favorite Cuisine: French
Favorite Restaurant: Spencer’s
Favorite Book: Song of the Lark
Favorite Movie: Dead Poets Society
Palm Springs
Julie
Diebolt Price
Hometown: Owosso, MI
College: Orange Coast College, University of LaVerne
Day job: Photographer, teacher, travel writer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Curious
Favorite cuisine: Italian
Favorite restaurant: Il Ritrovo, Positano
Favorite book: The Scarlet Pimpernel
Favorite movie: Murphy’s Romance
College: Orange Coast College, University of LaVerne
Day job: Photographer, teacher, travel writer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Curious
Favorite cuisine: Italian
Favorite restaurant: Il Ritrovo, Positano
Favorite book: The Scarlet Pimpernel
Favorite movie: Murphy’s Romance
Phoenix
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
Anu Hara
Hometown: Vancouver, BC, Canada
College: Thompson Rivers University
Day job: Project Manager
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Adventurous
Favorite cuisine: Indian
Favorite restaurant: Miku
Favorite podcast: This American Life
Favorite tv show: Breaking Bad
College: Thompson Rivers University
Day job: Project Manager
Savory or Sweet: Sweet
Word to describe you: Adventurous
Favorite cuisine: Indian
Favorite restaurant: Miku
Favorite podcast: This American Life
Favorite tv show: Breaking Bad
Vancouver, BC
Kirsten
Harrington
Hometown: Winter Garden, Florida
College: Pomona College
Day Job: Food & Travel Writer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Adventurous
Favorite cuisine: Asian
Favorite restaurant: Mr. Js Hand-Pulled Noodles
Favorite book: Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle Favorite TV show : HGTVs House Hunters International
College: Pomona College
Day Job: Food & Travel Writer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Adventurous
Favorite cuisine: Asian
Favorite restaurant: Mr. Js Hand-Pulled Noodles
Favorite book: Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle Favorite TV show : HGTVs House Hunters International
Orlando
Sacha Ivanov
Hometown: Boston, MA
College: Boston University
Day job: Digital Content Creator
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Creative
Favorite cuisine: Japanese
Favorite restaurant: Yume Ga Arukara
Favorite book: One of Us Is Lying
Favorite tv show: Breaking Bad
College: Boston University
Day job: Digital Content Creator
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Creative
Favorite cuisine: Japanese
Favorite restaurant: Yume Ga Arukara
Favorite book: One of Us Is Lying
Favorite tv show: Breaking Bad
Boston
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
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
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
Theresa
St. John
Hometown: Franklin, MA
College: Assabet Valley
Day job: Travel Writer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Curious
Favorite cuisine: Thai
Favorite restaurant: Phila Fusion
Favorite book: Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend
Favorite movie: Forrest Gump
College: Assabet Valley
Day job: Travel Writer
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Curious
Favorite cuisine: Thai
Favorite restaurant: Phila Fusion
Favorite book: Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend
Favorite movie: Forrest Gump
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
Troy Villar
Hometown: Miami Beach, FL
College: Florida International University
Day job: Social Media Marketing
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Funny
Favorite Cuisine: Mexican and Greek
Favorite Restaurant: Huahua's Taqueria
Favorite podcast: Crime
Favorite movie: Interstellar
College: Florida International University
Day job: Social Media Marketing
Savory or Sweet: Savory
Word to describe you: Funny
Favorite Cuisine: Mexican and Greek
Favorite Restaurant: Huahua's Taqueria
Favorite podcast: Crime
Favorite movie: Interstellar
Miami
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
