Hank Zona

Jun 5, 2024 | ediblejersey.ediblecommunities.com | Hank Zona |Jim Connolly

“WE WANT TO TAKE WHAT WE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS AND SHARE THAT KNOWLEDGE TO BENEFIT OTHER FARMERS.”Can a magazine article change your life? In the case of Jon and Robin McConaughy, one at least jump-started a directional change for them and their young family that led to their establishing Double Brook Farm in Hopewell in 2004. The article was “Power Steer” by Michael Pollan, best known as the author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, which famously explored our food sources and choices.

Apr 25, 2024 | ny.eater.com | Valerie Stivers |Hank Zona

One of the most appealing aspects of Newark as a dining destination is that it is filled with independent restaurants: Chances are, when you walk into a promising spot and ask, “are you the owner?” There’s a likelihood that the answer is yes. The food is often generous and sometimes elevated— hibiscus horchata, arty wheels of boquerones — but much of it has the spirit of home-cooking, too.

Mar 5, 2024 | ediblejersey.ediblecommunities.com | Hank Zona

“IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I WAS WORKING WITH SOMEONE WHO COMPLETELY TRUSTED ME.IT FELT DIFFERENT. IT GAVE ME COURAGE AND BALANCE.”When Neilly Robinson and David Viana agreed to partner in 2016, each had been considering a different path altogether. In 2013, Robinson and her mother had opened Heirloom Kitchen, a cooking school and retail boutique in Old Bridge, soon recognized by Food & Wine as one of the best cooking schools in the country.

Mar 5, 2024 | ediblejersey.ediblecommunities.com | Hank Zona

More wine is being made in New Jersey, with new wineries coming on board every year and more vineyard acreage being planted. Better wine is being made, as accolades and positive press grows for many individual producers and the state overall, and as wineries grow their loyal followings. So why, then, don’t consumers see more New Jersey wines on restaurant lists and on retail shop shelves? To use relationship parlance: It’s complicated.

Sep 13, 2023 | ediblejersey.ediblecommunities.com | Valerie Stivers |Hank Zona

Orange native Aamira Garba loved her exploration into wine so much, she decided to apply her experience as a corporate marketing executive in a more entrepreneurial direction. Her brand, LoveLee Wine, focuses on celebrating wine culture and making it more approachable and inclusive socially and professionally for Black women. “Wine is so universal, yet it still feels untouchable and inaccessible for many in marginalized communities,” says Garba.