Ryo Hashimoto
Columnist
Columnist Ryo Hashimoto authors the 'Drink' and 'The Table' columns for Food & Voyage, where he also contributes beverage reviews. His writing explores the rich worlds of sake, Japanese whisky, tea culture, and modern mixology, demystifying complex beverage classifications and pairing techniques. By focusing on the art of fermentation, distillation, and beverage pairing, Ryo approaches each story with clarity and elegance to help readers appreciate the essential role drinks play in the global culinary dialogue.
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Latest Articles
Starting a restaurant in your 50s? Your experience is your biggest asset.
In a sector notorious for high failure rates, the number of first-time restaurateurs over 50 has quietly risen by 15% in the last five years, often driven by a quest for passion over pure profit, acco
Jul 16, 2026 · 3 min read
Alcohol consumption shifts, challenging popular predictions.
The percentage of Gen Z individuals reporting alcohol consumption surged from 46% in 2023 to 70% in 2025, a dramatic increase that directly challenges the popular narrative of widespread abstinence am
Jul 10, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Digital Natives Are Choosing TikTok Health Trends Over Traditional Advice
45% of Gen Z women and 35% of millennials now use social media for health information, a stark contrast to just 6% of baby boomers, according to eMarketer .
Jul 8, 2026 · 4 min read
Historical Beverages Shaping American Culture & Identity
On December 16, 1773, British colonists in Boston harbor dumped 340 chests of East India Company tea into the water, an act of defiance that ignited a revolution.
Jul 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Papercut: Austin's Award-Winning Craft Cocktail Bar
Papercut, an East Austin cocktail bar and art gallery, was named one of Esquire's 14 'Best Bars in America' for 2026, according to the Austin American-Statesman .
Jul 1, 2026 · 3 min read
Leading Sustainability Trends in US Craft Spirits
US craft spirit sales unexpectedly dropped by 0.
Jun 28, 2026 · 6 min read
The Modern Sommelier's Strategic Role and Value
The presence of a sommelier increases wine sales by 11.
Jun 28, 2026 · 8 min read
Californios Awarded 3 Michelin Stars, First Mexican Globally (2026)
Chef Val Cantu's Californios in San Francisco has become the world's first Mexican restaurant to earn three Michelin stars, effective in 2026 ( The San Francisco Standard , Eater San Francisco ).
Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read
Top 5 Wine Bars Redefining the Experience in the US
At 'The Sommelier's Cloud' in Austin, guests don VR headsets to 'visit' vineyards before tasting.
Jun 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Frozen Cocktails: Unexpected Hotspots for Summer 2026
In Reykjavik, Iceland, the 'Frost & Fire' bar sells its geothermal-chilled 'Arctic Berry Blast' at a rate 30% higher than its hot toddies in July.
Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read
Farideh Sadeghin Serves Up The Hot Dog Cookbook
Farideh Sadeghin's new release, 'The Hot Dog Cookbook,' features an astonishing 50 distinct recipes dedicated solely to the humble hot dog.
Jun 19, 2026 · 2 min read
Oklahoma Black Rodeos Celebrate Cowboy Cuisine and Cultural Heritage
At the annual Boley Rodeo, a tradition since 1903, 'hot guts' sausage draws crowds as much as the steer wrestling.
Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read
Bedside carafes bring a 5-star hotel feel to your home
Online searches for 'bedside water carafe set' surged 250% in the last 12 months, according to Google Trends.
Jun 11, 2026 · 2 min read
Find the best Father's Day gifts for food loving dads
This Father's Day, a smart thermometer that tracks meat temperature and syncs with a phone from up to 165 feet away can revolutionize a dad's grilling.
Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read
Rye Bunny brings accessible comfort dishes to D.C. dining scene
Jon Sybert and Jill Tyler, owners of the Michelin-starred Tail Up Goat, have traded their prestigious fine dining establishment for a counter-service comfort food spot where light fare starts at $14.
Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read
What is the sommelier role in modern fine dining guest experience?
A sommelier at a top restaurant does more than recommend a bottle; they act as a storyteller, educator, sales strategist, and sensory guide, managing a complex operation that directly impacts the esta
Jun 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Top 10 Best Fast Food Breakfast Sandwiches Ranked for 2026
Despite its reputation for indulgent options, Chick-fil-A's Egg White Grill packs 27 grams of protein, often outperforming 'healthier' perceived alternatives.
Jun 8, 2026 · 6 min read
Non-Alcoholic Innovations Drive Booming Beverage Market
In 2022 alone, sales of non-alcoholic beverages surged by 25%, according to Market Data Forecast .
Jun 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Carlo Petrini's Slow Food movement reshaped food ethics
In 1986, the opening of the largest McDonald's in Rome sparked a movement that would eventually span 160 countries and challenge global food systems.
Jun 6, 2026 · 3 min read
North Carolina readies ready-to-drink cocktail laws for 2026 expansion
In a recent committee meeting, North Carolina lawmakers lowered the alcohol by volume (ABV) cap on ready-to-drink cocktails from 13% to 9.
Jun 5, 2026 · 4 min read