Amber Gibson is a Chicago-based food, wine and travel journalist. Her reporting has led her to spearfish for invasive lionfish in Dominica, dine with Francis Mallmann at his home in Uruguay and make cheese in the Austrian Alps. Her work has appeared in The Daily Telegraph, Chicago Tribune, Conde Nast Traveler, Saveur, Food & Wine, Hemispheres, Travel + Leisure and more. Champagne, dark chocolate and gelato are her greatest weaknesses.
At Somni in West Hollywood, a stainless steel digester helps turn food waste into water—part of a broader vision for sustainability, precision, and zero-waste dining.
With roots in theater, a career shaped by chaos, and a palate for the unexpected, the Top Chef alum has turned self-doubt and creativity into her signature style—on and off the plate.
At Birdie’s in Austin, chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel brings soulfulness and simplicity to the table—whether it’s a salt-baked fish cooked over fire or a nostalgic bowl of spaghetti. Here, she shares what comfort food means to her, what fine dining...
Chef Mayank Istwal, the culinary force behind Musaafer in Houston, shares his approach to fine dining, the dish he’d eat forever, and the roots of his philosophy—a balance of legacy, wellness, and storytelling.
A journey across 29 states, a commitment to craft, and a philosophy centered on harmony define the creative force behind one of Texas’s most distinctive restaurants.