Ryo Hashimoto
Columnist
Ryo Hashimoto authors the 'Drink' and 'The Table' columns. As a certified Advanced Sake Professional and former beverage director for several Michelin-starred restaurants, he possesses a deep knowledge of fermentation, distillation, and pairing. His writing is celebrated for its clarity and elegance, demystifying complex topics like sake classification, tea ceremony, and the art of Japanese whisky. Ryo believes a well-chosen beverage is not an accompaniment, but an essential part of the culinary dialogue.
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Latest Articles
The Modern Sommelier's Strategic Role and Value
The presence of a sommelier increases wine sales by 11.
Jun 28, 2026 · 8 min read
Californios Awarded 3 Michelin Stars, First Mexican Globally (2026)
Chef Val Cantu's Californios in San Francisco has become the world's first Mexican restaurant to earn three Michelin stars, effective in 2026 ( The San Francisco Standard , Eater San Francisco ).
Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read
Top 5 Wine Bars Redefining the Experience in the US
At 'The Sommelier's Cloud' in Austin, guests don VR headsets to 'visit' vineyards before tasting.
Jun 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Frozen Cocktails: Unexpected Hotspots for Summer 2026
In Reykjavik, Iceland, the 'Frost & Fire' bar sells its geothermal-chilled 'Arctic Berry Blast' at a rate 30% higher than its hot toddies in July.
Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read
Farideh Sadeghin Serves Up The Hot Dog Cookbook
Farideh Sadeghin's new release, 'The Hot Dog Cookbook,' features an astonishing 50 distinct recipes dedicated solely to the humble hot dog.
Jun 19, 2026 · 2 min read
Oklahoma Black Rodeos Celebrate Cowboy Cuisine and Cultural Heritage
At the annual Boley Rodeo, a tradition since 1903, 'hot guts' sausage draws crowds as much as the steer wrestling.
Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read
Bedside carafes bring a 5-star hotel feel to your home
Online searches for 'bedside water carafe set' surged 250% in the last 12 months, according to Google Trends.
Jun 11, 2026 · 2 min read
Find the best Father's Day gifts for food loving dads
This Father's Day, a smart thermometer that tracks meat temperature and syncs with a phone from up to 165 feet away can revolutionize a dad's grilling.
Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read
Rye Bunny brings accessible comfort dishes to D.C. dining scene
Jon Sybert and Jill Tyler, owners of the Michelin-starred Tail Up Goat, have traded their prestigious fine dining establishment for a counter-service comfort food spot where light fare starts at $14.
Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read
What is the sommelier role in modern fine dining guest experience?
A sommelier at a top restaurant does more than recommend a bottle; they act as a storyteller, educator, sales strategist, and sensory guide, managing a complex operation that directly impacts the esta
Jun 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Top 10 Best Fast Food Breakfast Sandwiches Ranked for 2026
Despite its reputation for indulgent options, Chick-fil-A's Egg White Grill packs 27 grams of protein, often outperforming 'healthier' perceived alternatives.
Jun 8, 2026 · 6 min read
Non-Alcoholic Innovations Drive Booming Beverage Market
In 2022 alone, sales of non-alcoholic beverages surged by 25%, according to Market Data Forecast .
Jun 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Carlo Petrini's Slow Food movement reshaped food ethics
In 1986, the opening of the largest McDonald's in Rome sparked a movement that would eventually span 160 countries and challenge global food systems.
Jun 6, 2026 · 3 min read
North Carolina readies ready-to-drink cocktail laws for 2026 expansion
In a recent committee meeting, North Carolina lawmakers lowered the alcohol by volume (ABV) cap on ready-to-drink cocktails from 13% to 9.
Jun 5, 2026 · 4 min read
Top 5 Best Zero-Proof Craft Cocktail Bars Globally
At New York's Listen Bar, guests gather not for a quick drink, but for an entire evening of complex, botanical-infused concoctions.
Jun 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Why Gen Z and Millennials Are Ditching Booze for Non-Alcoholic Trends
Coffee clubbing events have grown by 478% in recent years, transforming social gatherings for younger demographics.
May 29, 2026 · 5 min read
Alcohol-Free Triple Sec and Hybrid Gin Wine Cocktails See Surprising Market Growth
Last year, sales of alcohol-free spirits grew 30% globally.
May 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Chef Duchêne shares her layered roast chicken recipe
Roast chicken is a dish so notoriously difficult to perfect that chefs often use it as a test for new recruits, with even culinary giants like Thomas Keller sometimes yielding 'bit chewy' results, acc
May 26, 2026 · 3 min read
NC grocery stores get preliminary approval for canned cocktails
North Carolina lawmakers granted preliminary approval for grocery stores to sell canned cocktails under 10% ABV.
May 20, 2026 · 2 min read