Sip With Me

Today, we’re cooking up some Voodoo magic, not around a traditional cauldron though, more like a burning hot cauldron filled with delectable fried dough! Started in Portland twenty years ago, Voodoo Doughnut is known for its unique flavors and signature pink boxes. The company offers a sea of freshness and fun in a food and beveragemarket that has seen a rise in “sameness”. The brand is nationally recognizable and is frequented by celebs and foodie experts alike! December 2023 is ushering in a new dawn here in Chicago, with the brand opening its first location , which is located in West Loop! We’re delighted to welcome CEO Chris Schultz on to chat with us about the iconic brand and what Chicagoans can expect! Chris shares some of Voodoo’s west coast history, discusses creating some of their iconic flavors, and plays a round of rapid fire! Visit the store now at 945 W Randolph! They’re open early mornings and late into the night! Check out their menu and order ahead or checkout catering at: (https://www.voodoodoughnut.com) Follow them: @voodoodoughnut

Candle Castle & Co. is the most magical and best smelling place in Chicago- especially during the holidays and in winter when we all need a little brightness in our lives! Enter Sunshine- the teacher of our class who led us on our journey of what Ioanna and I would call “therapeutic refined childhood crafts with an elevated twist”. She made the night special as Nathan and Aaron celebrated their 8th anniversary! More than just a company— they’re a place where you can go to create, connect and rejoice! They offer a unique candle making experience that we did with our husbands this week and it truly was the highlight of our year. You pick out everything from the scents to the vessel to the glitter on top! And you name your candle too (ours were Crisp Autumn, Spring Melt, Smelly, and Forest Floor) During classes, guests are educated and learn the art of candle making- hand pouring & stirring your wax. In keeping with their mission to bring customers the best in clean products, their candles are some of the most sustainable and home friendly on the market- without the chemicals often found in store-bought candles. Plus, they sell the most unique candles in-store that range from fruit loop to s’mores- both in scent and shape! Hear from the owners about what it takes to start a candle company and how they decide which fun scents and decorations to feature. And hear about their custom Air Jordan 5 candle they created for John Mayer!! A special shoutout to our class leader “Sunshine” who in our hour-long class became more than just a teacher- she became a friend and was an amazing comedian. This is classy, fun, and unique gift idea for a partner, friend, parent, or just to treat yourself! Follow them on Instagram: @candlecastleco Book Classes: (www.candlecastleco.com) Sign up or gift a class at the link in their bio and use code “SIPWITHME15” for 15% off your class booking!

Merry Pinkmas! Pink Wonderland is a very merry pink Christmas bar with locations in Chicago and New York. It seeks to “break from traditional Christmas bar norms, aiming to offer a fresh, unique take on the holiday season”. The pop-up has everything pink and opens December 1st! We chat with King Inesse and Miriam Paz from V5 about what you'll experience and what it takes to make a pop-up come to life. Try themed cocktails like “The Pink Flurry, Santa’s Cookies & Milk, or grinch-themed The Mean One”. Take photos in their giant pink sleigh, sip on your drink in one of their light-up igloos, and enjoy your favorite holiday remixes. This is THE pop-up to go to this year, it’s an incredibly immersive and unique experience that defies all norms and serves content for days. 21 & over w/ a valid ID. Family Sundays 12-5PM. Cocktail workshop tickets are available at the link below. Follow: @apinkwonderland @miriampaz_91 @kinginesse Tickets: (https://solo.to/pinkwonderland)

Nutcracker returns once again to Chicago’s Lyric Opera! A part of many folks' holiday traditions, Ioanna and Aaron are so excited to learn about the show from Joffrey Ballet Company Artist, Victoria Jaiani! In her 20th year with the company, Victoria will fill the role of “The Mother” in this year’s Nutcracker. We chat with her about the timeless beauty of the show, and what it means for her to continue performing 20 years after joining Joffrey. Victoria twirls us a tale of history as we hear about how she learned to dance in her home country of Georgia before going to New York for further learning. Plus, she shares some behind the scenes highlights from her time with Joffrey. And learn more about what it takes to create such beautiful art! And (so cute), Victoria is married to retired Joffrey dancer Temur Suluashvili! She is kind, funny, and so seasoned in the art of dance, so you won't want to miss this interview! Follow Joffrey: @joffreyballet Follow Victoria: @victoriajaiani Get Tickets Now: (https://joffrey.org/) Nutcracker 2023 (Description From Joffrey Ballet) The Joffrey Ballet’s critically-acclaimed reimagined classic, The Nutcracker by Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, returns to celebrate the magic of the holiday season. Wheeldon’s American tale relocates Marie and her immigrant family to the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, where Marie embarks on a whirlwind adventure with the Nutcracker Prince. A ballet in two acts set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score, The Nutcracker features an award-winning creative team, including Tony Award®-nominated set and costume designer Julian Crouch, Caldecott Medal Award-winning author Brian Selznick, Obie and Drama Desk award-winning puppeteer Basil Twist, Tony Award®-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz and Tony Award®-winning projection designer Ben Pearcy/59 Productions.

Raise your hand if Garrett Popcorn or Frango Chocolate are part of your Holiday traditions? Everyone should have a hand raised! The Holidays are here, so that means Ioanna and Aaron dedicate every waking thought to food. Two timeless Chicago classics that are especially relevant during Christmastime are these two iconic delicacies. Family-owned by Garrett Brands, the company is responsible for delivering high quality holiday smiles and passing down memories that have been in Chicago families for generations. Whether you were first enticed by the smell of their signature caramel corn drifting down Michigan Ave or if Frango has been a tradition in your family since grandma first took you to Marshall Field’s, nearly every Chicagoan has a story to tell when it comes to these treats. We welcome Megan and Lindsay of Garrett Brands to pop us a bag of freshly caramelized history behind the products and to give us a peek into what they have “FRANgoing” on this holiday season. IN THIS EPISODE: History- Learn about how Garrett Popcorn started as a competition among family to create the best caramel corn! And discover how Frango traveled to Chicago from Seattle. Quality- Hear about the cooking process that sets the popcorn apart. And find out some of the many flavor combinations you can get these days at a Garrett Popcorn Shop! Tradition- Find out how Frango Chocolate became a staple in so many homes during the holidays. And hear about their gorgeous new chocolate boxes that you’ll want to display on your mantle. Fun Facts- Did you know the famous “Garrett Mix” (also dubbed by some fans as the Chicago Mix) was created by customers! Chicago Values- We love a family business that cares about Chicagoland. Hear about “Garrett Cares” and what the company does to give back to the city that makes them who they are. All this and so much more on today’s episode! Megan & Lindsay are so fun so this is definitely a must-listen episode! Garrett Brands ships nationwide! Shop, gift, or ship Garrett Popcorn and Frango Chocolate at: https://www.garrettpopcorn.com And follow them on Instagram: @GARRETTPOPCORN @FrangoChocolate

The Chicago Botanic Garden is the place to be, especially during their holiday “Lightscape” experience. Their 385 acres of pristine natural beauty in northern Cook County are transformed into an immersive journey that utilizes light, color, and sound to transport guests into realms of holiday beauty. Ioanna and Aaron went and said it gave “Disney nighttime fireworks show meets virtual reality meets North Pole wonder”. With individual installations by artists from around the world, every corner you turn will have a new surprise that will make dance, laugh, or stare in contemplation. We chat with Jodi from the Gardens to learn more about what Lightscape has to offer Chicagoland visitors this year. Plus, she gives us a BTS look into how long it takes to prep for the magnificent show. And, learn more about the Chicago Botanic Garden and all it has to offer year round. Visit https://www.chicagobotanic.org to see pictures and purchase tickets! It is HIGHLY recommended you book early as some nights are already selling out! The show runs through January 7th and is perfect for families, couples, or friends. They’re hot cocoa for the kids and fun holiday cocktails for the adults! Follow them @ChicagoBotanic and visit our Instagram to see our experience at Lightscape!

The Original Caramel Apple is celebrating its 75th birthday! This October, bite into one of the nation’s favorite fall treats and fill your heart with the nostalgia that is the Affy Tapple brand. This delicious treat has filled hearts & homes since 1948, and still does today using the same caramel recipe from way back when! Dipped in everything from Christmas sprinkles to the classic peanut coating, there’s a variety for any time of the year. The team at Affy Tapple joins us to share the rich history behind this iconic Chicago brand. Hear how the caramel apple came to be and discover why they got their unique “Affy Tapple” name. Plus, we discuss how they make so many caramel apples, where they source their apples, and what fun products you can get Halloween, Christmas, and beyond! You can find Affy Tapple at your local Chicagoland grocer, or visit their online store to ship them to your loved ones around the country! Follow them on Instagram: @affytapple Shop or Ship Affy Tapple: https://www.affytapple.com Visit our Instagram to see exclusive footage from our behind scenes Affy Tapple HQ tour!

Come with us to Chicago’s premier antique market, a two-day event hosted by the fabulous Sally Schwartz and her team at Image Pilots. Browse indoor and outdoor vendors at this European-style vintage and antique festival. Established well before we were born, the market has been a national favorite among tastemakers and designers. Stroll through hundreds of booths and you never know what treasure you will find! Sally Schwartz joins us for a lively conversation about how it all began years ago, and how trends have evolved overtime. Plus, learn about why vintage is so trendy right now and what makes antiques worth collecting. For more info on the upcoming Holiday Randolph Street Market (November 18-19) visit: https://randolphstreetmarket.com/ Follow the Market for announcements and sneak peeks: @randolphmarket See our experience at the market on Instagram @sipwithme_

Vibe check, Chicago!! If you're a regular on the Chicago food & drink scene,chances are you've been to one of Brad Parker's establishments, which include the popular Hampton Social, The Bassment, newly opened Nisos Prime, and more coming. Entrepreneur Brad Parker is the founder of Parker Hospitality and his dining concepts are more than kitchens slinging conventional dishes —--they’re immersive portals that transport guests to dreamy destinations: you have the nautical Hampton Social which evokes an East Coast lifestyle; Mediterranean Nisos lets you escape to the Greek Islands; and live music venue, Bassment, is a one of our favorite speakeasy lounges. Brad joins us this week to discuss what you can enjoy at his immersive establishments, both in Chicago and around the nation. We learn fun facts like where the famously instagramable “rosé all day” sign came from and what theme is next on his business bucket list. Hear how he curates each location’s high quality menu and why his spots are perfect for many young adults like Ioanna & Aaron, who want insane quality food but also sometimes want to have fun in a more sophisticated environment than a busy club or crowded bar. Plus, Ioanna & Aaron dine at Nisos Prime Bar & Hampton Social. AND we had such a good time, we’re going back to Nisos Prime Bar this week to celebrate Ioanna’s birthday (we’re mostly going back for the homemade bread app)! We 10/10 recommend Brad’s spots for a night out with friends, to celebrate a special event, or just to treat yourself. The food quality was superior, the staff were the friendliest in the city, and the energy, let us tell you, the VIBES truly transported us to places far far away. See our experience and reviews on Instagram @sipwithme_ Visit https://www.parkerhospitality.com to see locations, make reservations, and view menus! Follow Brad: @bradparker_hospitality Follow Parker Hospitality: @parkerhospitality

This week, Celebrity Private Chef Brooke Baevsky, also known as “Chef Bae”, takes us into the kitchen to tell us all about her fascinating career and some of the viral content she’s created. She’s known for her day-in-the-life videos, shopping at Erewhon, a viral $2000 dollar pizza, and so much more! She does it all, from shopping for her clients to crafting the tastiest recipes that meet even the most strict allergen/nutritional needs. We chat about a day in the life of a celeb chef, what inspires her extravagant meals, and so much more! We finish the episode with a round of rapid fire where we find out her favorite food, go-to seasoning, and dream client! For this week’s cocktail, we're featuring a fall inspired mocktail, The Magic Apple, which comes from Town & Country Mag. It’s the perfect mocktail to sip on as we make our way into our favorite season, fall! Link is in our Instagram bio! To book Brooke’s services or find out more about what she offers, visit her website: https://itschefbae.com/ And follow her on social: @chefbae Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefbae/ Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@chefbae Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itschefbae