ZACH BROOKS

Zach Brooks hosts the Food is the New Rock podcast and founded Midtown Lunch.

What was the food highlight of your year?

SXSW was pretty great this year. Had a blow out meal at Uchiko that I didn't have to pay for, my first taste of Franklin BBQ, a equally good tray of meat from La Barbecue, and one of my favorite meals of the year at Qui.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Besides seeing 2 Live Crew in Miami while I was home for Thanksgiving? I'd have to say Neutral Milk Hotel at the Hollywood Bowl.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Eating Blue Ribbon Sushi and watching Lionel Richie at Life is Beautiful. I thought there would be some down time in the middle of the set so I could sneak away for a little bit of Alt J but there was NO DOWN TIME. It was just one massive hit after another. The guy is a legend. Oh, and earlier in the day I got to podcast with Questlove for Food is the New Rock... so it was pretty much the best day of my life.

@foodisnewrock

TED JOYNER

Ted Joyner is one half of the band Generationals. Their latest record 'Alix' came out last Fall on Polyvinyl Records. 

What was the food highlight of your year?

My friend invited me to a real boucherie that was put on by a group called Runaway Dish out of Lafeyette. I got there a little later in the afternoon-- I think they had gotten started at dawn. So by the time I got there the pig had been fully taken apart and turned into numerous things: boudin, etc. The ritual obviously dates back to days when refrigerating parts of the animal for later use just wasn't an option. So its an interesting way to see how every part of the pig was put to some use as soon as they kill it. I got to have some blood boudin and some incredible hogs head cheese.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Just the other night I saw Vockah Redu at a small club called Siberia here in New Orleans. I'd recommend seeing him live if you can. 

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Our drummer Eric Rogers and I invented a sandwich. Really, he did all the work. I just ate it.

@generationals

JEFF TRENAM

Jeff Trenam is owner, GM, and Sommelier of Blue Plate restaurant in San Francisco.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Tough call. For a surprise find, David Barzelay's underground LAZYBEAR was super fun. We went there when he was still working out of Chicken John's spot on Cesar Chavez and I really loved the enthusiasm and heart his team used to deliver their vision.

It was also a great year for the grill and eating at the beach. The beautiful day in September we opened and closed Hogg Island out at Tomales Bay and ate about 100 oysters between two of us was pretty memorable. Champagne and oysters and rose and barbecued oysters and a nice pink sunset and more oysters....

What was the music highlight of your year?

The musical highlight, as plain as it may be, was a moment that happened on the trails above Lake Tahoe. I had my earphones in, jogging along, and ran right up to a good-sized black bear. The bear just stood there by the side of the trail, probably pretending I couldn't see him. And I just inched past the bear. Then Tommy Guerrero's Archaic Days came on and we both went on our separate ways.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

My son is 16 now, technically not old enough to drink, but realistically I know he does. So I try to instill in him an appreciation for good wine in the hopes that he wont drink as much (or as crappy stuff) as I did when I was his age. We recently had a simple roast chicken with a cucumber salad and a bottle of Blackbird Rose. We sat in my little apartment and listened to Flume and other electronic music the kids are into these days. I love those kind of times with him.

@blueplatesf

JASON SCHREURS

Jason Schreurs (left) is the co-founder and music editor of Rice and Bread, a food and music magazine. Jason is also a freelance music writer for Alternative Press, Noisey, and more.

What was the food highlight of your year?

My personal food highlight is getting a chance to eat Rice and Bread co-founder and food editor Megan Cole's amazing meals almost every night. She loves cooking and makes some killer dishes. Just recently, she made a chicken mole that was to die for. Another food highlight was hearing about all of the different Hometown Scenes on Rice and Bread from musicians and foodies all over the world. Every time we talk to someone about their city's food scene, we immediately want to go there and check it out! Where's that transportation device when we need it!?

What was the music highlight of your year?

Getting a chance to see Rocket from the Crypt again at Calgary, AB's Sled Island Music Festival (and, for Megan, a chance to see them for the first time). One of rock and roll's all-time best bands, sounding just as good as they did when I saw them in the '90s. RFTC!

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

When Chef John Hurkes from Minneapolis, MN created The Slayer Pizza for our regular RIce and Bread feature, Perfect Pairings, it was like a perfect moment of heavy metal and heavy metal's signature dish (pizza). Cut into a pentagram with a crust made from communion wafers, this was one EVIL PIZZA!

@riceandbreadmag

ROBBY CRONHOLM

Robby Cronholm sings and plays guitar in Taxes and plays bass in Bonnie & the Bang Bang. 

What was the food highlight of your year?

My favorite meal of any year is always at Le Pigeon in Portland. I can't say enough glowing things about Chef Rucker and his team. I'm heading back in December and as I type this I am salivating on my laptop. Other notables included Aveline (SF), ink. (LA) and Workshop Kitchen and Bar (Palm Springs). Oh, and Gordo's Taqueria (SF).

What was the music highlight of your year?

That's an easy answer this year. One of my favorite bands, Drive Like Jehu. They reunited after nearly twenty years and were accompanied by an organist at The Spreckles Organ Pavilion. It was, and I don't say this lightly, the happiest day of my life. Seriously. Ask my girlfriend. She will attest.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

The show above was one of the greatest concerts of my life and it was accompanied by culinary exploits to match. We started the weekend by taking the train to San Diego, which I had never done. Beautiful coastline and a couple of beers. We checked in to our hotel and ducked around the corner for a bottle of champagne and a sushi lunch (we were celebrating young love and the return of Jehu, don't judge.) After that we grabbed a couple of 40 ouncers and headed to the park where we imbibed behind a dumpster (we were celebrating young love and the return of Jehu, don't judge.) After the show we had a lovely dinner at Chef Blais' Juniper & Ivy. The next morning we had a perfect brunch at Café Chloe where we read the paper and allegedly had mimosas (no excuses). Thanks for listening and may your 2015 be filled with music, food and love.

@taxesband

MATTHIAS MERGES

Matthias Merges is chef/owner of Yusho, Billy Sunday, and A10 in Chicago. He spent 14 years as executive chef at Charlie Trotter's.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I would have to say the highlight food experience was the Christmas party we threw for our management staff, 5 different peallas, oysters and home made Charcuterie from a pig from Four Story Hill Farms. Great wines, and most important surrounded by many people I hold close to my heart!!

What was the music highlight of your year?

The most important music and art I love throws me out of my comfort zone and makes me look at the art form from a new and interesting perspective. Nick Cave continues to produce thoughtful visceral work which forces you to sit up and pay attention.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Music and our playlists are such an integral part of our experience in our restaurants. We place much effort in compiling relevant, provocative and talented artists which are always ones which we love. This completes the package for all the senses in our restaurants, Yusho is a great example of this and this years great moment was our last Ramen Battle, everything was tied together with the sound track... it is fantastic.

@matthiasmerges

EMILY TAN

Emily Tan is a journalist and photographer whose work has appeared in Diffuser.fm, The Boombox, and The Village Voice.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I'll be the first to say that I'm not the biggest sweets person. I love to bake, but I'll most likely give it away. However this year, I've had some of the best sweets I've had in a while. From the amazing ice cream from Milk Sugar Love in Jersey City to that carrot cake from Wolfgang Puck's The Source, I've seem to revive my sweet tooth. As far as savory things are concerned, Sam A.M. (again in Jersey City) is by far one of my favorite spots. Unless you're at their weekly supper club, they mainly do breakfast and lunch. But I'll definitely rush over 30 mins before closing to grab a pulled poulet sandwich with an egg on top. It's just that good.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Saw some great shows and festivals this year, but nothing can top the impromptu selfie I took with Jenny Lewis at Governors Ball. And the fact that it was her idea made it so much better.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Sweetlife Festival brought food and music in such a fun way. With Sweetgreen behind the operation, they were able to bring some of the East Coast's, especially DC's, best dishes to festival goers. Not only did it taste fresh, but it was also pretty awesome to hold a freshly made banh mi in one hand and a plate of freshly shucked oysters in another then finish things off with an Astro doughnut. Then after fueling up, you can just catch Hozier, Bombay Bicycle Club and Bastille -- who were my fave acts from the fest.

@cessemi

MIKE PACE

Mike Pace fronted the Oxford Collapse (Sub Pop) and co-hosted the Worst Gig Ever podcast. He returns in January with Best Boy, the debut album by Mike Pace and The Child Actors.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Xi'an Famous Foods opened an output on Beadel Street, and destination eating came to a desolate stretch of post-apocalyptic wasteland on the industrial Greenpoint/East Williamsburg border. I found myself biking, walking or driving on a near-weekly basis to savor their phenomenal dumplings and hand-pulled noodles (and up until recently, I ate these delights while sitting outside in a plastic child's chair at a grubby foot-high table due to the roughly 3 person seating capacity inside) because it's so close (yet so far) from where I live. The secret's now out and there's almost always a wait, but it's always worthwhile.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Finishing my first full-length record in almost six years (after working on it for the past two) and playing shows again were definite highlights. Another would be Loudon Wainwright III's hilarious and touching one-man show, "Surviving Twin" which ran in New York this past spring.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Every time my food loving musician friends and I went on some sort of ethnic eating adventure and wound up having great talks about life and how to live it (usually along with discussions about "classic era" Guns 'N Roses, the pros and cons of the Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways TV series, and digressions into the finer points of prog rock, and new age music). Killer Korean BBQ at Biwon in Bayside, overstuffed Colombian-style hot dogs at Los Verdes in Sunnyside, Indian street food at Mumbai Xpress in Floral Park, and of course Brennan & Carr's to-die-for broth-battered Gargiulo Burger in Sheepshead Bay.

To quote the late, great Warren Zevon, "enjoy every sandwich!"

@mikeepace

MARK LORE

Mark Lore is a journalist whose work has appeared in Paste, The Wire, Spin, the Portland Mercury, and Nylon.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I was wracking my brain on this, and the thing that kept coming to mind was soup. My wife and I have been on a soup roll this winter. She made a great mushroom-barley. I knocked out a tasty chicken-noodle. Tortilla soup. And we just bought a house in deep southeast Portland, which has some of the best Pho places in the city. I also work a couple nights a week at this beer-record shop-music venue called Turn! Turn! Turn!, and they just started doing soup, including a fantastic chickpea and greens soup. Essentially, I can do soup for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Tacos, too.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Back in spring I booked a West Coast tour for this Basque heavy rock band called Berri Txarrak. I interviewed them years ago for an article, and I'd sort of kept in touch with their manager on Facebook. He made a comment on something I'd posted and mentioned they were recording in the States, and it sort of snowballed from there. I booked a bunch of shows, got them press in a few of the cities, and put them up in our small apartment. It was challenging and fun, and the guys in the band are absolutely sweet, and they were very appreciative. I'll probably book another one next year.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

The day after Berri Txarrak played in Portland, I took them around to some record stores, and we ended up getting beers at a couple of local breweries. It was awesome introducing them to these weirder, darker (at least by their standards) beers. After that I took them to this great sandwich spot called Lardo, which began as a food cart, and has since expanded to three locations. It's total comfort food. We got some pork belly sandwiches, mac and cheese and dirty fries, and these guys were in heaven. I was full, but I think they ordered seconds.

@thedaysoflore

NORMAN BRANNON

Norman Brannon is General Manager of Collect Records and plays guitar in Texas Is The Reason.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I went to Scott Conant's Scarpetta here in New York for the first time a few months ago, and I usually have this thing at restaurants where I always order the seemingly simplest thing on the menu — the idea being some variation on that theme that you can judge a chef by how well he cooks an egg. It makes sense to me. Anyway, there was a $24 plate of spaghetti with tomato and basil. Like, literally, that was how it was described on the menu. There was something that was so bold about that to me. They didn't even try to spruce it up for description's sake! So of course I ordered that, and from the first bite I was absolutely floored. The pasta was perfection—a firm, thick flavorful noodle like none that I've ever eaten before—and the tomato and basil were so harmonious it actually felt like something new. I cannot stress this enough: To say that you've just eaten the best plate of spaghetti and tomato in your life after 40 years of eating spaghetti and tomato is TOTALLY MOMENTOUS.

What was the music highlight of your year?

People never really believe me when I talk about how much I love Take That, but they are sincerely my favorite band ever. Here's the thing: I'm actually of the opinion that it's super easy to write sad songs. It's almost cheap to me at this point; it's our go-to emotion when we're writing songs. But writing a song that makes you feel like you want to dance like Fred Astaire through Brooklyn—that takes real talent! Take That's new album, III, does a little bit of both, and while I sometimes wish they hadn't ever been the horrible '90s boyband that everyone thinks about when they hear the name, I actually think that's part of the reason why I love them. They are all accomplished songwriters now, they're all accomplished musicians. They proved that they weren't just a bunch of cute boyband hacks, but that you can use that experience and grow into a musician of substance. That is a serious hill to climb, and I am in awe of them.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

I'd heard a rumor that Mark Trombino's Donut Friend in L.A. had a Texas is the Raisin doughnut and I was really hoping that was true. I wound up getting the Custard Front Drive, which was insanely rich, but satisfying to say the least.

@nervousacid

JEFF BUNDSCHU

Jeff Bundschu is President of Gundlach Bundschu Winery and co-founder of Huichica Music Festival.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Hands down stumbling into State Bird Provisions one night last spring. I was taking my daughter and her friend to see G-Eazy at the Fillmore in SF and had a few hours to kill. SBP is just adjacent to the venue and the commotion through the window, the line outside, and the understated sign all caught my eye. Somewhere in the fog I might have heard the name and it was enough for me to go in and ask the concierge if there was any way I might get a seat at the bar. I have since heard that it books two months in advance for reservations. She took my phone number, pointed me to a good bar and said she'd text within 45 minutes. Thirty minutes later I was in and sitting and then the adventure started. The bar was right up against the kitchen and the cook in front of me doubled as my server, host, and food educator. Knowing nothing of the format when I sat down, I was mesmerized by the checklist menu, the pick-and-choose little dishes that kept coming by seat-side, and the continual commentary by the super friendly chef. I don't remember any one thing I ate that night, probably because I ate EVERYTHING. On a night where sitting in my car in a parking garage reading the latest New Yorker was an acceptable option, I instead wandered into the meal of year!

What was the music highlight of your year?

My homegrown choice has to be Real Estate at the amphitheater under the stars at Gundlach Bundschu winery. It was just down right epic. I LOVE that band and to have them on our hillside making that beautiful music brought me to tears more than once. Like Blitzen Trapper in 2013, it was one of those pinch me moments - as in, 'That band, here?'.

Away from home it was for sure tUne yArDs at the Pabst theater in Milwaukee. I had been wanting to see them/her for years having stumbled into an early record prepping for a SxSW trip a while back, and it was serendipity that they were playing one of America's most iconic theaters on my one free night. Merrill Garbus is a treasure and she just killed it. So super unique and creative, her music is driven by rhythm and vocals, and some other worldly force. They really are way way outside, but some how still so approachable.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Easy breezy: Jammin on a BUNK cubano, swigging Gun Bun Mountain Cuvee, and grooving to Kelley Stoltz at Huichica Music Festival. Yeah I am a homer and totally biased, but blah blah. If there is a better food/music (and wine!) scene I haven't found it.

@sonojeff

CHUCK REECE

Chuck Reece and three partners launched The Bitter Southerner in 2013 to tell the stories of a new(er) South. The weekly web magazine won the Egerton Prize from the Southern Foodways Alliance honoring "artists, writers, scholars and others, whose work addresses issues of race, class, gender, and social and environmental justice, through the lens of food.” Reece’s career began and has returned to journalism, but has zig-zagged over the years through politics, corporate communication and design.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Eating Frank Stitt's quail pie at Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham. I'd never had the chance to eat there, even though I'd been hearing about the place for 30 years. But that pie ... oh, my goodness. I actually wrote a little about it in a story:

When I was young, my daddy’s greatest pleasure was quail hunting. I grew up with my stroller guarded by his hunting dog, a German shorthaired pointer named Rusty, who, after my mom, was the great love of my father’s life. The delicate meat of those little birds was part of my childhood.

That night at Highlands, I had an appetizer of Stitt’s quail pie. In the kitchen, they’d braised a bunch of quail until the meat fell off their bones. They added vegetables to the braising liquid, cooked it down and thickened it. Then they added back the quail meat and poured the whole mess into a perfect, lard-enriched pie crust with a beautiful brown lattice on top.

It was perfect. It was like they’d cooked cherished moments of my own history and fed them back to me.

What was the music highlight of your year?

I was just overjoyed to hear so much great music coming out of the South — across every genre. It's amazing how much great stuff comes out of this region. But the single musical highlight of my year was probably something that happened last week. I saw Patterson Hood perform a song at Eddie's Attic called "What It Means." He had written the song the night riots broke out in Ferguson, Mo., after the grand jury there refused to indict the policeman who killed Michael Brown. Patterson had posted the lyrics that night, at about midnight, on his Facebook page, and certain of his fans just pilloried him for it in their comments. One of them even told him, "I hope you get shot by a cop." God almighty. It was a beautiful song, straight from the heart of an artist who was trying to make sense of what he was seeing. But to see him do it for the very first time in public — he had to put on his glasses so he could read the lyrics off a music stand as he played — was just tremendous. What made it more tremendous was that he preceded the song by addressing the "fan" who had wished him death at the hands of a policeman. "I got kids, man," he said. "Don't come to any more of my shows. Don't buy my records. I don't want your fucking money." Blew me away.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

At the Fall Boogie in Waverly, Ala. Great barbecue from Jim and Nick's. Great music from a bunch of wonderful bands. Great atmosphere in one of the coolest unknown little towns in America.

@chuckreece

GEOFF PEVETO

Geoff Peveto owns Frank, a restaurant serving hot dogs and gourmet sausages with craft beer and cocktails in Austin, TX, and The Decoder Ring, a full service design firm with a focus working in the music industry.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Osteria alle Testiere in Venice, Italy was one. It has ten tables and the food is amazing. They are part of Ristoranti della Buona Accoglienza which sat out to counter the reputation of expensive tourist traps with lousy food that Venice was often associated with. We had ricotta and basil ravioli with red tuna ragout, grilled cuttlefish with squid ink and white polenta and gazpacho with baby octopus. Everything was as fresh as any dish I've ever had.

My other highlight was being able to go congratulate Doug Sohn of Hot Doug's in Chicago the week before he closed his doors.

What was the music highlight of your year?

So many... The Hold Steady played our 5th anniversary at Frank. We only hold around 200 people and we gave away all the tickets to fans. Seeing them in that small of a room was simply amazing. Off! and Diarrhea Planet also played at Frank and destroyed the crowd.

Others would be the Slowdive reunion in Barcelona, Sturgill Simpson in a small club in San Antonio, finally seeing Pinebender and they played for me, my wife and my friend Jay Ryan in their practice space that Jay had arranged, and getting to see Whores three times in one year. They put out two of the best EPs anyone has and deliver them live better than any new band going. That Knapsack reunion was something special too.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

The above mentioned Hold Steady show at Frank. Having my friends play in our little hot dog shop and seeing the smiles on everyone's face was a show I won't ever forget.

@hotdogscoldbeer

KARI JOHNSON

Kari Johnson is the events and marketing director for Hearth and Terroir Wine Bars in NYC.

What was the food highlight of your year?

There were so many excellent meals shared, with good friends at amazing places - Cosme, Toro, The John Dory stand out - but I have to give the honors this year to Gramercy Tavern. Every aspect of my meal there - from the professional, hilarious and friendly staff, to the special care I was given (it was my birthday!), from the perfection of each and every course to the outstanding beverage pairings, led to the overall perfection of the meal. It may not be the trendiest or most cutting edge restaurant in New York, but it is surely one of the best, and has proven itself time and time again. It's a classic, a favorite, and easily, the best meal the year.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Without a doubt, being one of the lucky few to be in attendance at Nirvana's secret club show at Saint Vitus in Greenpoint was the music highlight of my year - and possibly my life. Nirvana was the first band I truly loved, and due to my age, I was never able to see them play live. After attending the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction with a group of friends earlier that evening, I would have been happy. However, I was one of the luckiest people, for being able to attend the secret after-show - at my favorite bar/venue, no less. There was such excitement, joy, and shock in the room - it was unreal. Nirvana. In a room of 250 people, at 2 in the morning. To be there, to be right up front, singing along (and getting hit in the face with J Masics' hair for most of the set) will always be one of my favorite memories of my entire life. The icing on the cake of a perfect night was thanking Krist Novoselic for everything, and him responding with "No, Thank YOU." Seriously?!?

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

I feel like there wasn't one specific moment that stands out, but rather many. Living in Brooklyn, i'm spoiled in that I can walk mere blocks from my apartment and grab a fantastic meal and listen to perfect music while doing so.The big ones that stand out, where food and music and your mood combine perfectly, were: brunch at the Grand Bar and Grill, where we listened (and sang along!) to Cock Sparrer, hearing Pet Sounds on vinyl at Five Leaves, and all those late night Afghan Whigs nights at Over the Eight. Of course, there are always the barbecues thrown by my dear friends Geoff Rickly and Liza DeGuia - the ultimate food/music power couple - where the food rivals any top NYC restaurant and the music is always perfectly curated.

@kariface

RICK GENCARELLI

Rick Gencarelli is chef/owner of Lardo, Grassa, and Philippe's Bread.

What was the food highlight of your year?

This year in addition to opening a third Lardo location we opened a bakery called Philippe's Bread. We now provide bread for the Lardo locations and Grassa. Making that change was stressful and scary but totally worth it. We now have the ability to design sandwiches that are totally outside of what we are used to. It's next level and very exciting!

What was the music highlight of your year?

I saw a lot of great music this year but the show I am still talking about is Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. They killed it. No words could really do it justice so I won't bother. I will tell you that I brought my twelve year old son and he helped hold Nick Cave up as he walked on the chairs through the orchestra singing Tupelo. Yes, a proud moment for a dad.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

This year I went back to Connecticut for my 30th high school reunion, that's right I said 30th. I ate mediocre (at best) banquet food and listened to terrible 80's music with people that I have known for more than three decades. It was strange and wonderful and I felt a deep connection. A perfect example of the sum being greater than the parts.

@lardopdx