Our local culinary rockstars once again have been recognized for their talent in the kitchen. St. Louis has eight James Beard semifinalists in our midst: iNDO (Best New Restaurant); Nick Bognar of iNDO (Rising Star Chef of the Year); Jesse Mendica of Olive + Oak, Loryn Nalic of Balkan Treat Box, Michael Gallina of Vicia, Lona Luo of Lona’s Lil Eats (Best Chef: Midwest); Nathaniel Reid of Nathaniel Reid Bakery (Outstanding Baker); and Mai Lee (Outstanding Restaurant). 

Dan McLaughlin of Fox Sports Midwest now will share his Cardinals knowledge on 101 ESPN. He will give daily reports on our Redbirds, share exclusive interviews and host a one-hour show dedicated to all things St. Louis baseball. Here’s to a great season!

What goes with baseball? Beer! Not only do we have one of the most loved teams in the sport, we also can claim one of the best brewpubs in the nation! USA Today has nominated Schlafly Beer as one of the 10 Best Brewpubs in America for Schlafly Tap Room. Only 20 were chosen across the country, and it’s the only one in Missouri. Vote once a day at 10best.com/awards/travel/best-brewpub through March 17 to secure its spot on the list! 

Kirkwood High School grad Joanna Serenko (last year’s winner of the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition at The Fox) has her eyes set on winning an even bigger contest this year. She got the support of all four judges on The Voice, and chose Nick Jonas as her coach. I’m sure she’ll reach out to Kennedy Holmes, another local talent who was on the popular singing show, for advice!

If you equate summer months in St. Louis with Parties in the Park—the oldest after-work happy hour in the area—there are a couple of changes to note for the networking/meet up/find a date gatherings: a new location (St. Louis County Memorial Park) and new hours (4:30-8:30 p.m.). Mark your calendar for the second Wednesday of the month May through September. Cheers!