Jonathan Bender
Reporter
Jonathan Bender is a former KCPT Food Content Editor and the founder of the Recommended Daily. He is the author of "LEGO: A Love Story," "Cookies & Beer" and "Stock, Broth & Bowl." He lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where has judged the American Royal World Series of BBQ, eaten sandwiches for a month, and pitched grain as a brewer’s assistant — all in pursuit of learning more about what Kansas Citians eat and drink.
Stories by Jonathan Bender
Cuento Coffee’s Andy Gallant Wants To Tell His Story in Coffee
There’s a reason a rainbow-colored zebra appears on Cuento Coffee’s bags delicately holding a coffee bean between its front hooves. “It’s super juicy, super-fruity,” Cuento Coffee founder Andy Gallant said of the Kenyan coffee in front of him. “And then it’s coffee from Africa…so…the Fruit Stripe Zebra.” Cuento Coffee is a new micro-coffee roaster based…
Hallowing Voodoo Dance Party & Other Weekend Possibilities
Have you heard the one about the bookstore that walked into a bar? Afterword Tavern & Shelves (1834 Grand Blvd.) is a new bookstore-bar hybrid that opened last month in the Crossroads. “We liked the idea of bringing the community together,” co-owner Luke Pitz said. “And we want to help people find things they haven’t experienced…
Alma Mader Brewing Finds a Home on Southwest Boulevard
It took Nick Mader seven years to go a half-mile. Mader got his start as a bartender at Boulevard Brewing Co., walking distance to the low-slung brick building at 2635 Southwest Blvd. that is the future home of Alma Mader Brewing Co. “Boulevard teaches you how to talk about beer and present beer,” Mader said. “And like a…
Tap List | Beer It Forward & All The Halloweens
Fringe Beerwork (224 SE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit, Missouri) and the newly opened Apex Aleworks (4356 S. Noland Road, Independence, Missouri) both have a “Beer it Forward” board. The idea is you can buy a beer for someone and put their name up on a whiteboard (Fringe) or chalkboard (Apex); then they can come in and claim…
Experimental Spirits & Other Weekend Possibilities
Lifted Spirits Distillery (1734 Cherry St.) begins a new chapter with its Experimental Spirits Series this Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. They’re holding an open house and will sample jalapeño and herb vodka and jasmine rooibos with lemon (made with Hugo tea). The distillery will talk about ingredients and its process for creating spirits. The…
Apex Aleworks Opens Thursday in Independence
Commercial breweries always seems to start with homebrew. But Apex Aleworks, a new brewery slated to open Thursday at 4356 S. Noland Road in Independence, Missouri, started in the same place as all homebrewers: the homebrew supply shop. “I think homebrewers have a unique attitude,” Jeremy Parratt, who owns the business with his wife Mollie,…
Tap List | Brew & Chew, Boo ‘N Brew, & Brew at The Zoo
The beer calendar has turned to winter, even as the outdoor beer festival goes strong. Get ready for dark, strong ales, and plenty of spice in your pint glass. Help yourself to a glass of #TapList. Tap Notes New Axiom Brewing Co. (949 NE Columbus St., Lee’s Summit, Missouri) has a host of new brews…
Oktoberfiesta & Other Weekend Possibilities
Life comes at you pretty fast, but this is why we have whiskey. The Linden Square Whiskey Fest (602 NE 70th St., Gladstone, Missouri) is from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. There are food trucks, bluegrass bands and a dozen regional distilleries that will sample whiskey. The tasting portion of the event is from 5 to…
Tap List | Strawberry Hill Brewing Co. In The Works
You never know what happens when you talk to your neighbors. Derek Kempf was on paternity leave three years ago from the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department, and he was chatting with Larry Murray, who lived across the street. The two decided to try a test batch of home brew. A wit went wrong. A…
Ciderfest & Other Weekend Possibilities
Update: Ciderfest has been postponed because of the weather. It’s been rescheduled for next Saturday, Oct. 13, and Sunday, Oct. 14. The Louisburg Cider Mill hosts Ciderfest on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Louisburg, Kansas. You can watch cider being pressed, eat apple cider donuts,or get a caramel apple. This is…