Marketing and Advertising director Michelle Tasman – Koff’s daughter – conducts all purchasing for the boutique, relying on current trends and gut intuition to fill the store with styles that range from designer sophisticates to trendy, one-of-a-kind fashions to prom dresses for teens.

“We want our women to feel good and be happy, so we’re honest when they ask our opinion,” Koff said. “Our biggest motivator is a well-dressed woman.”

Rodeo Drive
2212C Holiday Manor Center

Photos By CHRIS HUMPHREYS | The Voice-Tribune

When Java Brewing Company grew a bit – shall we say – stale in 2009, owner Chuck Schnatter teamed up with Toni and Chris Lavenson to aggressively transform the retail coffee shops into a bold brand. The refreshing and spunky VINT was born.

Stemming from the word “vintage,” Chris Lavenson explained, “All of the new core products of VINT – coffee, tea, wine and ale – have a harvest cycle, a vintage.” With their recent successful merge with Heine Brothers Coffee, there’s little that VINT doesn’t have a hand in.

It’s probably best recognized as one of few coffee shops that also serve up wine and beer. However, the mission of “offer(ing) premium beverages and food with efficiency and grace” points ultimately to the obvious core of VINT: the coffee.

Determined to craft the highest quality coffee possible within a chain milieu, VINT settled on serving “premium” coffee – a step above nationally-ranked coffee chains and franchises. Out of this decision came a superior daily roast as well as intricate detailing in the lattes. Latte art is a trend you will find at fine coffee shops like VINT, a tangible sign of pride in the product with a side of whimsy.

The hiring process to become a barista is selective and the training is grueling. “But when we put them behind the counter, they’re going to know the products very well,” Lavenson said. “That’s our goal.”

On the day of my visit, the barista was quick to describe the featured coffee – Kenya – and point out some of the recent promotions. Currently, VINT is selling their original signature drink, the “Vint Julep,” fittingly titled for upcoming Derby festivities. Described as a Bourbon Barrel mint julep with bourbon smoked sugars with espresso, it’s a yummy way to get anyone excited for the first weekend in May.

VINT has masterfully mixed the comforts of a quiet coffee shop with the liveliness of a corner bar. In addition to the fairly impressive beer list, the business has partnered with Vanguard Wines, who aids them in choosing from dozens of boutique, estate-grown vineyards from all over the world.

As if the eclectic array of beverages weren’t enough, VINT also has teamed up with local language center Los Monitos to host occasional language classes and incorporate drinks from the region as well as food to complement said wines. To date, wines and beer from France, Spain and Germany have been showcased, and Argentina’s robust Malbec wines were the most recent highlight. (Check in with Los Monitos for upcoming get-togethers).

“Louisville is blossoming,” Lavenson declares. “People are supporting local. We’ve walked into an educated customer base.”

VINT has locations at 2309 Frankfort Ave., 462 S. 4th St., 516 W. Main St., and 4901 Brownsboro Road. For hours and information, visit www.vintcoffee.com.

Stacy Robinson.

Louisville native Stacey Robinson loves this city.

For the senior vice president of operations for the Kentucky Derby Festival, the two-week celebration is her first crush.

Robinson’s official role is to oversee event staff for the 70-plus events that will take place between now and Derby, although no job is off-limits. While Robinson has been helping to coordinate everything from Dawn at the Downs to details with the Barnstable Brown Party for the last 26 years, her favorite event is the Pegasus Parade. That’s when she sits back and watches the hard work come together.

“The Kentucky Derby excites a lot of out-of-towners, but the Derby Festival is for the locals,” she explained.

This year, said Robinson, will be “bigger and better.” Among the highlights: the air show will be extended by an hour and the Great Steamboat Race will host the American Queen, the largest steamboat ever built.

Robinson’s not-to-miss pick is the Kroger Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. This year’s event will feature several performers, including headliner George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic. “The Waterfront is a great place to come be with family and friends any time of the year,” Robinson said. “It’s just an added perk when there’s a concert (at Derby).”

At the top of Robinson’s list of favorite Derby moments is actress Diane Lane’s appearance as grand marshall in the 2010 Republic Bank Pegasus Parade. With the then-fanfare for “Secretariat,” the Disney blockbuster, “everyone was excited about the Derby that year,” recalled Robinson. “People seemed so proud to be from Louisville.”

This year’s list of celebrities expected to land in Louisville for Derby will remain secret until May 3, but Robinson promises the Kentucky Derby Festival will once again deliver. “Who (else) can take a two minute horse race and turn it into a two-week party?”

Contact writer Kellie Denton at YourVoice@voice-tribune.com.

The eclectic boutique hosts a bevy of fashions and accessories from the 1920s-1980s, complete with luxurious fur stoles and beaded prom dresses.

Owner Terri Burt swoons over 1940s fashions with their feminine forms and modest cuts, but appreciates all decades of vintage. “The quality and details are so beautiful. Fashion today is copied – this is the original.”

Nitty Gritty is known for its outrageous costume assortment, with rentals routinely worn on Halloween and Derby (and occasions in between). Next month is the store’s 12th anniversary, which means yet another reason to celebrate.

Photos By CHRIS HUMPHREYS | The Voice-Tribune

Pat and Sheila Day.

Most might expect Pat Day’s first love to be riding. After all, he is a retired Hall of Fame horse jockey with a slew of accolades under his belt, including the prestigious honor of winning the Kentucky Derby in 1992. But, “It’s Sheila,” Pat stated. “I love my wife deeply. She is the best part of my day.” It’s easy to see why – Sheila’s fiery personality and contagious laugh lends itself as a perfect complement to Pat’s kind and gentle spirit.

While the couple readily agree that they were “made for each other” they are also careful not to sugarcoat the institution of marriage in any way. “Marriage is difficult,” Pat explained. “It’s hard even when you’re with the right person.” Sheila agreed. “Our marriage has been wonderful. I married the greatest man. But, our marriage has had low points, too.” When asked why they insisted on conveying these realities, Pat quickly stated: “Because frequently, people have the wrong idea about marriage. We want people to know that a lifetime commitment to your marriage is still possible – it still exists. But it takes work. When we exchanged vows, we took them seriously – ‘til death do us part.”

Pat and Sheila’s lifetime commitment began in November of 1975, when they were set up on a blind date with each other. While they consider themselves a “perfect match,” Sheila confessed, “At first, we couldn’t stand each other!” Pat admitted that he was a “renegade” back then and that he looked at Sheila as his “conquest.” But somewhere between Pat’s strenuous riding schedule in Chicago, the couple gradually fell in love and became engaged. “When I asked Sheila if she would marry me, she said, ‘Would I?!’ To this day, I’ve never gotten an answer!” Pat laughed.

On June 30, 1979 the couple married. Extensive traveling due to Pat’s schedule meant that Sheila became Pat’s “right-hand” – a full-time homemaker and personal assistant, intent on making their “gypsy” lifestyle as comfortable and normal as possible.

Because Sheila actively supported Pat’s career before they married, she was well aware of how exhausting and dangerous his profession could be. She got the first taste of it when Pat broke his collarbone a month into their marriage. Suddenly, Sheila also added “nurse” to her resume. Both agreed that while the first year of marriage was difficult, the trials strengthened their relationship by forcing them to depend on each other.

The trials extended into the first years of their marriage. While Pat garnered success in his early days as a jockey, they were overshadowed by what he considered the lowest point of his life (and subsequently, marriage). “I abused drugs and alcohol, and I was a woman-beater. The Lord, in his graciousness, saved me from that.” In 1984, Pat became a born-again Christian, explaining “my life completely changed.” Seeing the positive change in her husband, Sheila became a Christian a year later. Over time their marriage was renewed, and Pat set out to lead and serve his family according to Biblical standards. While they both agreed that their marriage would be in shambles without their faith, they laugh when asked if God perfected their marriage. “There’s no such thing as a perfect marriage,” Sheila said.

In 2002, their church, Northeast Christian Church, encouraged its members to go out in their communities and make a change, starting with $100. Sheila excelled in the face of this challenge, and founded Mom’s Closet Resource Center, a “hand up” to single mothers in the community. The center is a resource for items such as food and clothing, but Sheila quickly points out that the real goal is to help these women discover God’s plan for their lives. When Pat retired from racing in 2005, the couples’ roles reversed: suddenly Pat was heavily involved in aiding his wife at Mom’s Closet, while Sheila consistently put in long days at the center. “All that you have is your gift from God. What you do with it is your gift to God,” Pat explained. Although Pat was retired, his schedule became a plethora of speaking engagements, including one as a spokesperson for Mom’s Closet.

While the Day’s lives aren’t as demanding as their days on the track, they are just as busy promoting Mom’s Closet and reaching out to those in the Louisville community. One of the highlights of life recently was the marriage of their only daughter, Irene, to Mike Reynolds last year. With an empty-nest, their brood expanded to 6 cats and 1 dog. The couple are enjoying this season of life – pursuing their passions and enjoying one another’s company. Both encouraged other couples to seek out their talents and do something constructive with them. For Pat, his fascination with horses turned into a successful career as a jockey. For Sheila, her spark and charisma made her an excellent candidate to jump-start a much-needed ministry. “God gives us all gifts,” Pat pointed out. “I was given the gift to ride. Out of that has come many opportunities for speaking engagements. I love talking about riding and horses – that was a huge part of my life. Sheila is an enormous part of my life. But Jesus Christ is my whole life. I can’t help but talk about it.”

Do’s

“Read ‘His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage’ by Willard F. Harley, Jr.,” Pat insisted. “That’s the first book I recommend to anyone seeking marriage advice.”

“Agree early on to never use the word ‘divorce’ in your vocabulary,” Sheila said. “It’s a relief to know your spouse won’t leave you when you’re having a bad day.”

“Be quick to apologize,” Pat pointed out. Sheila coached on: “Say ‘I was wrong, I’m sorry, please forgive me, I love you.’ That goes a long way.”

“Pat sends out all his laundry!” Sheila cheered. “Am I happy? You bet.”

Don’ts

“Don’t marry someone to change them,” Sheila persisted. “God does that.”

“It’s a common piece of advice, but there’s so much truth to this: don’t go to bed angry,” Pat declared. “Especially because it irks the heck out of (Sheila) when I start snoring!”

“Don’t overlook the small things. There’s something so sweet about Pat helping out with the animals at home, or picking up the steaks for dinner while I’m at work,” Sheila noted. “He doesn’t have to do these things, but he does it to give me a break.”

It’s not because I’m unhappily married (my husband and I are two and a half years strong!) but because I finally got closure on how to use social media to my advantage, thanks to a random coffee “date” with the CEO of Louisville-based social media consulting firm, Social Media Explorer.

I’m fairly Facebook-literate, and tend to spend copious amounts of time on Pinterest (frankly, it’s ruining my life). But between Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, MySpace, Etsy, Google Plus, eHarmony, Classmates, Trip Advisor, Flickr – and don’t even get me started on blogging – I am flat out exhausted with trying to keep up with the latest form of social media interaction.

Jason Falls understands my frustration and claims that the reason for my lack of enthusiasm toward these social outlets is simply my lack of knowledge.

Falls believes understanding how social media works is pivotal in making it work to your advantage. He should know: He is currently number 7 on the Forbes Magazine list of “Top 10 Influencers in Social Media.”

When Falls broke away from Doe-Anderson in 2009 to spearhead his consulting firm, Social Media Explorer, he was already aware of how much more encompassing and pivotal the social media scene was going to become.

Today, with his business partner, Aaron Marshall, they educate clients on aspects of social media marketing and digital marketing. This involves huge commitment, as Social Media Explorer currently conducts seminars and lectures across the country.

Falls also is considered a social media guru on the international level, forging relationships with some of the biggest networking sites.

Simply put, the Pikeville-born and Louisville-bred homebody is a big deal.

We sat down with Falls recently to see if some of his saviness could rub off on us.

What is one of the biggest mistakes that people make in using social media?
Beer pong pictures on Facebook. What possesses people to do that? No pictures have ever been deleted from Facebook, so just be smart. You don’t go to a job interview and tell them what you like to drink, so why would you put that in a virtual forum where there’s a permanent record of things you’ve done? It’s public; you need to treat it that way. Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your grandma to see.

What are some tangible ways people can use social media to land a job?
Find good contacts around the topic you want a job in. If you’re into life insurance, find good resources about life insurance, share good articles and connect with people that are passionate about the same things you are. The more visible you are within the industry you want to be, sharing good content and also interacting with people, the more credible you’re going to look.

What’s an outlet that you strongly feel more people should take advantage of?
Blogging. Blogging is one of the most powerful mechanisms. It shows off your expertise and it puts out content for the search engines to find. It’s essentially a very easy way to stay relevant while simply being self-absorbed in your interest.  And then network from there – if you can have Dave Ramsay link to your finance blog, you have tons more readership. So write smart stuff. Be consistent. Make sure that everybody in your field knows who you are! Be that obnoxious guy that shows up everywhere. When I first started, I went to all the conferences and took leaders out for a beer just to connect with them. Who’s going to refuse a free drink?

What social media do you find surprising?
Pinterest. Who saw that one becoming so big? But how cool that someone can literally put up a picture and in seconds it’s transferred to a database connecting millions of completely different readers. I think in Pinterest specifically there’s going to be more of a social network in which people pin things that they want to buy. But if you’re a marketer, especially a retailer, you can pin up pictures of your product, which will link back to where they can buy them and then you can use coupons or promotions to entice the customer. A company that will benefit from using it is one that’s extremely visually driven. If you have a product that connects your business with a photograph, then that’s the way to go.

What can I do to make my blog, my Twitter account, my Etsy shop, etc. more influential?
Read, read, read! I cannot emphasize this enough.  Read magazines, newspapers – anything to get specific information in your field. But be sure to have a balanced diet of things you’re reading. Read something “smart” like The New York Times instead of Us Weekly.  There’s a reason people plateau – there’s no new ideas coming from them. Stay on top of what’s current and what’s coming and make the information your put out something better.

What can we expect in the near future from Social Media Explorer?
We’re always doing our client consulting, whether it is in person, conference calls or virtual webinar-type things. But something exciting that’s getting ready to take off is our “Explore” consulting event that we’re holding in five different cities: Dallas, Nashville, Minneapolis, Irvine and Portland. We’d love to do one in Louisville, but there’s not a reputation for that kind of event here, so we’re trying to build that reputation in order to make Louisville the hub for this. In the extremely near future, I’m going to drink a ton of coffee.
Check out Social Media Explorer at www.socialmediaexplorer.com. Follow  @JasonFalls on Twitter.

Haley Collard, Brian Hamilton and Destini Miles.

Louisville is about to go blue.

The critically acclaimed Blue Man Group is slated to play The Kentucky Center April 10-15, a show considered “funny, stunning and intellectually stimulating” by Stephen Klein, president of the Kentucky Center.

And Klein should know – he’s seen them three times already.

Blue Man Group is best recognized as three bald, blue performers that engage the audience with unforgettable tribal rhythms courtesy of large drums.  In addition to hosting the electrifying performance, the Kentucky Center and PNC Broadway in Louisville have partnered with the Louisville Visual Art Association’s (LVAA) Open Doors Program to create a 3-D mural commemorating the event, aptly titled “Project Blue Drum.”

Open Doors provides opportunities to enhance artistic skills for communities with narrow access to the visual arts.  By pairing a professional artist with various community groups, the intent is to create meaningful works of self-expression in a positive environment.

Artist Tara Remington was chosen to collaborate with Western Middle School, an experience she considered enriching and soulfully satisfying.  Remington created the vision for “Project Blue Drum” and spent 12 weeks with the 6th and 7th grade students of Western Middle School, and art teacher, Amanda Thompson.

The teachers took a turn.

“The power of creativity is so subtle to (the students),” Remington said.

The youngsters are rewarded with not just the satisfaction of a job well done, but with tickets to see Blue Man Group perform.  “The bigger the growth of our project, the bigger the growth of the kids.  I’d say they’ve completely transformed,” Remington said.

And grow it has.

LVAA Open Doors Project Manager Aron Conaway considers this the most sophisticated, most involved project he’s administered to date.  “There’s been such a positive response, and people are so excited for us.  But truly, the excitement is for the kids.  They’ve worked so hard.”

Conaway views “Project Blue Drum” as a literal extension of the visual arts into the surrounding communities here in Louisville, a goal he says that wouldn’t have happened without the collaboration of so many.

Art in progress.

The Kentucky Center has extended a hand in promoting “Project Blue Drum” by publicly unveiling the sculpture on The Kentucky Center front steps on Friday, March 2nd, from 6-8 p.m. Additionally, the creation will be available for viewing throughout the run of the Blue Man Group.  The Kentucky Center will also host a reception the day tickets go on sale for guests to enjoy blue martinis and Blue Moon beer, and revel in the performance of local band, The Blue Umbrellas.

Being blue never felt so good.

Blue Man Group will play The Kentucky Center April 10-15.  Tickets go on sale at The Kentucky Center box office on Friday, March 2nd with prices starting at $22.75. Call 502.584.7777 or go online at www.KentuckyCenter.org or www.TicketMaster.com to order.  Groups of 10 or more can buy now by calling Hilda Davis at 502.569.3060.

Presently, their inventory consists of local and international designers, with labels ranging from J.Crew to Diane Von Furstenberg.  By taking at least 50 percent off all incoming items, Sunny Daize maintains their philosophy that high fashion doesn’t have to come with a high price tag.

Photos By CHRIS HUMPHREYS | The Voice-Tribune
Model: Kelly Macfarlane
Makeup Artist: Rex Mann
Fashion: Sunny Daize, 11809 Shelbyville Road.

By KELLIE Denton
Contributing Dish Columnist

Dr. Bernice Sandler.

Dr. Bernice Sandler – the “Godmother of Title IX” – is being celebrated Tuesday in Louisville.

Sandler is responsible for proposing Title IX in 1970, which implemented sexual impartiality “within education programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Sandler will be honored during halftime at the University of Louisville’s Women’s Basketball game against Connecticut, which starts at 7 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center.

Sandler facilitated the bill in 1970 as a response to her frustration with her job at the University of Maryland, which was replacing competent female workers with less-qualified male counterparts. Title IX was passed in 1972. While the bill doesn’t explicitly state a concern with female athletics, women’s sports programs around the country owe their existence to Sandler.

Given that this is the 40th anniversary of Title IX, it’s appropriate that Sandler be recognized for her activism through the years. The anniversary has also captured the attention of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an annual celebration that honors the greatest promoter of women and sports. Because of this, UofL Athletic Director Tom Jurich will present Sandler at halftime with the esteemed honor.

This particular halftime show will be witnessed by admired female industry leaders from across the country. Kathleen DeBoere, executive director of American Volleyball Coaches Association is expected to attend. So is Lacy Lee Baker, executive director of National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association and Dr. Joni B. Comstock, senior vice president of the NCAA, as well as many respected others.

While Title IX is not just about sports, one cannot argue the notoriety that the law has gained because of athletics.

Next week, 20,000 spectators will observe the importance of this when 500 of UofL’s female, athletic alumni offer their thanks during the halftime show. Bernice Sandler will be presented with a T-shirt listing all the names of the Louisville female athletes that were allowed to play sports because of Sandler’s hard work.

University of Louisville’s Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, Julie Hermann, is thrilled about Sandler’s impending visit, but understands that not everyone jumped on Title IX like they should have. “I think, regrettably, it took a federal statute to get the nations to pay attention to the inequity of institutions – especially in sports,” Hermann said. “We (UofL) had ignored a lot of Title IX until Tom Jurich arrived in ’97. He brought us very quickly into Title IX compliance. So on our campus, the champion has been him.”

Watch with Us

Bernice Sandler will be honored Feb. 7 during halftime of University of Louisville Women’s Basketball vs. Connecticut at the KFC Yum! Center. Tip-off is 7 p.m.

But do outsiders really recognize the River City for its excellent cuisine?

That’s what Southern Living magazine has been asking its readers to decide in an online contest that pits Louisville against several others in a quest to be crowned The South’s Tastiest Town.

The competition is essentially a popularity contest, not to mention a savvy way to beef up the publication’s online presence, since fans have been able to return to the website and vote once a day.

But what it’s also become is the fuel for a feisty debate by some of Louisville’s most notable culinary experts.

610 Magnolia Owner and Chef Edward Lee is currently one of the last five contestants in this season of Bravo's Top Chef.

And for good reason: the city’s cuisine is no stranger to the national spotlight.

Winston’s Executive Chef John Castro whipped Bobby Flay on Food Network’s “Throwdown” in 2008 with his perfectly constructed Hot Brown.

Seviche chef Anthony Lamas has captured the attention of the James Beard accolade – five times  – and he won the “Extreme Chef”  competition of Food Network in 2011.

And don’t forget 610 Magnolia Owner and Chef Edward Lee, who remains one of the competitors on Bravo’s “Top Chef: Texas,” which airs Wednesday nights.

So is Louisville really The South’s tastiest town?

Mayor Greg Fischer certainly thinks so.

“What other city can claim Bourbon as a food group like we do in Louisville?”  he gibed, though he’s serious about the city producing amazing food, particularly when it’s a part of local supporting local.

Fischer has put much time and effort into plugging the farm to table movement (the act of delivering locally produced food to the consumer), an agenda that more “foodies” would like to see implemented.

Since Louisville consumes $3 billion worth of food yearly, it’s understandable why Fischer wants to see that money stay within the state, never mind that it’s healthier or educates the public about what goes into the process of cultivating what we consume.

Volare Chef Joshua Moore and his wife have taken their passion for using local to the extremes: they live on a ten-acre farm.  “For me, it’s a no-brainer,” Moore explains.  “The guest response (at Volare) is overwhelming. They want to know, ‘What are you planting for fall crops?’ If you can stay with your food from start to finish, you have no question as to how fresh it is.”

The Village Anchor.

Geoffrey Heyde, executive chef at The Village Anchor, agrees, though “it’s just so expensive,” he said. “I wish more restaurants would incorporate it, but I understand that a lot of them can’t afford to.”

Both chefs concurred that farm to table is what makes Louisville a great competitor for the South’s tastiest town.  “Of course I think Louisville should win,” Moore said. “To me, Louisville’s culinary scene is so diverse. It’s a melting pot of cultures.  We’re really a small city, but with a huge culinary scene.”

Edward Lee, owner and chef of 610 Magnolia, considers Louisville’s diverse gastronomy to be an essential part of why Louisville was recognized in Southern Living’s contest in the first place. “There’s everything from high-end restaurants to hole-in-the-walls to ethnic foods. It’s a great education in cuisine.”

Lee believes many locals are committed to the food scene at present, which, in turn, fosters hope in future chefs to want to bring their skill to Louisville.  “It speaks a lot when you can have people from all over the country feel welcome to open up a restaurant here in Louisville. It means that people are open-minded, that they want new things.”

Seviche’s Anthony Lamas, however, disagrees.

“We don’t have the diversity of ethnic backgrounds and people. Louisville is nowhere near close to the food scene of Charlestown or New Orleans,” he said.

Seviche's Hap Cohan, Madeline Doolittle and Chef Anthony Lamas.

“I think we’re one of the best (food cities), definitely,” he explained, “(But) we lack the history and the influence of the type of cuisine from the French, the African … the history of Charleston, their heirloom grains and beans and livestock – it’s so much more evolved.”

When pressed to declare who should win the contest, Lamas didn’t miss a beat.  “Charleston. So much has happened there in the last 5 years.  (In Charleston), chefs are actually being their own farmers. A lot of us are doing it (now in Louisville), but I think they have really started it.”

So what is Louisville missing that will catapult it into the company of superior food cities?  “We (need to) get some major food events here, like the Charlestown Wine Festival,” Lamas said.  “These awesome, major festivals bring people from all over. We haven’t had that big draw focusing on food yet.”

Andrew “Andy” Myers, chef at The Anchorage Café agreed.  “There are just more well-known chefs in Charleston and New Orleans.  They’re more established.  Look at what New Orleans did with Cajun cuisine – it’s a major style!” he said. “Louisville still deserves to win. Our style is more representative of American food in general.”

As of press time, Louisville was in second place – with over 130,000 votes – in the contest.

Courtesy of The Village Café.

That loyalty to the city’s food scene is much appreciated. Ryan Rogers, chef de cuisine at The Anchorage Café, will open his own restaurant called Feast BBQ in April “People are really proud of their city here. It makes me feel more confident to go out and try my own thing.”

Jared Schubert hasn’t even opened his bar The Boiler Room – at The Pointe in Butchertown – yet (it’s slated to open in April), but he’s already been pegged one of the “Top 10 mixologists to watch” by Beverage Network, an industry magazine.

With such obvious talent, Schubert could go anywhere, yet he insists that he’s right at home.

“Louisville is in the center of one of the largest distillation capitals in the world, so why would I want to go anywhere else?”

Schubert perfected the cocktail line-up at the now-defunct 732 Social, a restaurant that also executed the farm to table movement beautifully. He considers the experience a serious influence in his quest to make drinks using quality ingredients.

So, too, is the city’s food scene and its people.

“If Louisville keeps being unique and very centered on their people and their flavor, people will notice.”

Is Louisville The South’s Tastiest Town?

Vote online at www.southernliving.com. Polls close January 31.

Contact writer Kellie Denton at YourVoice@voice-tribune.com.