mike@mikelilley.com

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins dead at 50

by

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died, the band confirmed on social media Friday night, saying they are “devastated.” “The Foo Fighters Family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins. His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever,” the band said in a … Read more

Orlando chefs and restaurateurs shut out of James Beard Award nominations yet again

by

ear after year, Orlando-area chefs and restaurateurs have regularly been named James Beard Award semifinalists, but none have ever made it to the short list of finalists. And this year is no different. Today, the James Beard Foundation announced the nominees for its chef and restaurant categories and the five Orlando culinarians vying for a … Read more

The 2022 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Nominees

by

Today, we are announcing our 2022 Restaurant and Chef Awards nominees in advance of the returning James Beard Awards® presented by Capital One. The nominees were announced today during a live ceremony at Casa Paloma at El Chorro in Paradise Valley, AZ. Winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Nominees for the James Beard Foundation Media Awards which, includes Book, Broadcast Media, and Journalism, will be announced on Wednesday, April 27 at an in-person event in New York City. This is the first time the Foundation is holding an event dedicated to the Media nominee announcement.

Outstanding Restaurateur
Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group
(Rasika, Bindaas, Annabelle, and others), Washington, D.C.

Chris Bianco, Tratto, Pane Bianco, and Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix

Kevin Gillespie, Red Beard Restaurants (Gunshow and Revival), Atlanta

Akkapong “Earl” Ninsom, Langbaan, Hat Yai, Eem, and others, Portland, OR

Chris Williams, Lucille’s Hospitality Group, Houston

Ellen Yin, High Street Hospitality Group
(Fork, a.kitchen + bar, High Street Philly, and others), Philadelphia

R-and-C-Nominee-Leadership-Lifetime-and-Hum-Press-Release-FINAL-3.16.2022Download

Read more

Seminole’s growth, lack of vacant land, means rising housing costs

by

As more people move into Seminole County every year, they will find it increasingly difficult to buy a new home as large swaths of vacant property to build residential subdivisions diminishes in one of the state’s smallest but most densely populated counties, officials said. “We’re running out of land very quickly to build on, so … Read more

Slapfish Review – Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda

by

Slapfish was on the menu for a Saturday afternoon for my wife and I.  Nestled in the mega shopping district of Waterford Lakes, the location is in a good spot in terms of parking and getting to the location.  The mistake made by ownership was to provide a fish eye view of The Brass Tap next door, to which I continually looked in that direction wishing I had chosen that spot instead.  Right off the bat, as I venture into the establishment at noon on a very busy Saturday in Waterford, My wife and I and just one other couple are the only patrons.  It feels like the place is going to close soon.  

Robo Gallery: You didn’t select any Robo Gallery item in editor. Please select one from the list or create new gallery

The ordering procedure is much like Tijuana Flats (which I hate terribly)… You walk up to a counter that is devoid of any crew members and wait for the college age kid to finally make his way to the register to take our order.  Another college type kid looks through from the kitchen with a look that screams, Oh my God, we actually have another customer.  The Sub- Millennial that took our order had an expressionless face and made no comments at all.  I thought for just a moment that I was in a scene from Gattica.  A robot from 70’s sitcom TV has more personality.  I almost apologized for bothering him.

Read more

Streaming local: A cord-cutting guidebook for Central Florida

by

Ready to break up with your cable provider? Paying too much for channels you don’t watch? Cord-cutting offers consumers the flexibility to pay for the channels they want, without subscribing to those they don’t. While signing up for purely entertainment-based services like Netflix and Disney+ is generally a pretty straightforward process, it can be a … Read more