Cooper Levey-Baker has written about food, politics, civic issues, the arts, and music in Southwest Florida for 15 years. His work has won multiple awards from the Florida Magazine Association and the Florida Society of Professional Journalists, as well as an honorable mention from the Julia Child Foundation. Follow him on Twitter: @LeveyBaker.

Made in the Shade

Six Patios We Love

Take a seat on a pretty patio or deck and dig in.

01/25/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Made in SRQ

Made in SRQ: Lickity Splits Ice Cream

Owner Matthew Eastman hopes to soon move from his 1,400-square-foot space to a 20,000-square-foot facility.

01/25/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Holy Writ

Brandon Farris Is Rising in the World of Christian Rap

Farris is better known by his stage name, YB.

01/25/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards 2018

Meet the Winners of Our 2018 Unity Awards

Our champions of diversity inspire us every day.

01/23/2018 By Anu Varma, Susan Burns, and Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards 2018

Judge Charles Williams and Attorney Charlie Ann Syprett Stand Up for Diversity

Williams and Syprett launched the Sarasota County Bar Association Diversity Committee. Their efforts earned them one of our 2013 Unity Awards; here's an update.

01/23/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Bowl Game

10 Bucks Or Less: Rice Bowl Asian House

This small Bradenton restaurant whips up filling and flavorful DIY combos.

01/22/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Guten Tag

Meet 'Der Bachelor'

The star of the new season of the German version of The Bachelor lives right here in Sarasota.

01/15/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Red-Hot Market

Four Great Food Stalls at the Venice Farmer's Market

Under savvy leadership, the Venice Farmer’s Market keeps getting bigger—and better.

01/02/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Eat This Now

The Food Lovers' Guide to Sarasota

In a city brimming with delicious new options, your guide to the best markets, shops, purveyors and products.

01/01/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker, Megan McDonald, Ilene Denton, and Hannah Wallace

Made in SRQ

Made in SRQ: Moke Electric Jeep

Moke military jeeps earned new life in the 1960s when movie stars made them a stylish way to cruise Mediterranean hot spots like Saint-Tropez.

12/27/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

One Day

A Day in the Life of Gocio Elementary Food Service Manager Diana Losier

Food services manager Diana Losier and her team of six serve lunch to 530 students at Gocio Elementary School every day in addition to offering breakfast to 300 and preparing supper for students who stay after the school day.

12/27/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker