Jeff is a photographer, blogger, and founder of The Culture of Me.
What was the food highlight of your year?
Every year for the last five or so years my friends Ruth, Damon and I collectively celebrate our birthdays with our friends in a different way, and this year Ruth put together this insane private dinner in Brooklyn at one of her favorite (but closed) pho spots called Nha Toi. She'd become friends with the chef from the restaurant (who's working on new spots at the moment) and coaxed him into creating a big custom meal for about 15 people in the old Nha Toi restaurant, and it was one of most incredible meals of the year--if not ever.
What was the music highlight of your year?
I didn't do a lot of music festival/show travelling this year, so here in Gotham City I made it a point to shoot a portrait project at two of my favorite annual events: Full Moon Festival and the annual CMJ Music Marathon. I got to hang out and meet amazing artists and bands, shoot some really fun instant photos on Impossible film (with an old Polaroid camera), ate some good food and listened to some pretty great and varied music.
Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?
I got to shoot some behind the scenes portraits and photos at New York Fashion Week (in February and in September) and while it's not stereotypical "music" or "food," my favorite thing about being backstage at fashion events is that they literally have some of the best catering and food ever. Throw away your concept that "models don't eat during fashion week" because it's just not true. Although I probably ate way more than they did when they weren't looking.