In Episode 187, we explore the role of beverage programs in restaurant evaluations. Award entities can greatly impact the entire ecosystem of a restaurant and surrounding relationships, and an interesting conversation recently sparked among journalists, beverage professionals, and restaurants surrounding the forthcoming 2026 Atlanta’s “50 Best Restaurants” list. We spoke about this issue with not only the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) who is curating the list, but we also gathered insights from two journalists who have depth and breadth of expertise in food and beverage media. Henna Bakshi, formerly of CNN and Eater, is now the Senior Editor for Forbes Wine and was the initial spark for this dialogue. In our interview, she shares her passion for why food and beverages are both critical components of a comprehensive dining experience. Journalist Mike Jordan, formerly a reporter for the AJC, provides historical context for this type of dining evaluation process in Atlanta as well as shares his own perspective on whether to include beverage as a component in restaurant evaluations. Everyone on today’s show mentioned that this is an important conversation to have if we want to continue improving and elevating Atlanta’s dining scene within the context of other national and international dining standards of excellence. So, after listening to today’s show, we want to hear from you - tell us what you think should be included in restaurant rankings and award programs. How should beverages be considered as part of the scoring criteria? You can connect with Henna on Instagram at @hennabakshi and Mike on Instagram at @mikejordanatl. We look forward to the continued conversations and ideas as we celebrate the complex and beautiful world of food, beverage, and dining.
Recorded October 2026
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