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.

Claws Out

A New TV Show Set in Manatee County Tackles Sex, Drugs and Beauty Products

Show creator Eliot Laurence chose to set the Claws in the Sarasota-Manatee area after falling in love with the region during trips here with his mother.

06/05/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Best Bakeries

These are Sarasota's Most Beautiful Pastries

They're too pretty to eat. Almost.

06/01/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Beach Eats

The Best Local Beach Eats

The best concessions stands, from north to south.

06/01/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Heat Wave

Think Sarasota Summers Are Unbearable? Just Wait.

Here's what rising temperatures will mean for our region.

06/01/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Icelandia

Cold Brew Coffee Makes Sarasota Summers Survivable

Cooper Levey-Baker pens an ode to the cold stuff.

05/30/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Best Bakeries

Sarasota's Best Bakeries

Your guide to the region’s best bakeries, plus pastry perfection, loaves we love—and more.

05/25/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Breadwinners

Our Five Favorite Loaves of Bread

From everyone's favorite sourdough to a German classic, here are our picks for the best loaves of bread in town.

05/25/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Dough Nut

How to Grow Your Own Sourdough Starter

One writer's maniacal quest.

05/25/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Best Bakeries

Sarasota's Best Bakeries

Your guide to the region’s best bakeries, plus pastry perfection, loaves we love—and more.

05/25/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Still Glazy

New Doughnut Shop Opens

After a few days of giveaways, taste tests and soft trial runs, Five-O Donut Co officially opened for business Wednesday morning.

05/17/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Smoke Out

Brick's Smoked Meats Opens Downtown

Sarasota's newest barbecue restaurant, Brick's Smoked Meats, opened for lunch and dinner on Tuesday.

05/15/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Neighborhood Guide

Where to Live on St. Armands, Lido and Longboat Keys

Looking for a home on one of these beautiful keys? Here’s some inside info on neighborhoods to browse—and some of the neighbors, too.

05/15/2017 By Robert Plunket, Ilene Denton, Susan Burns, and Cooper Levey-Baker

Top shop

A Quick, Handy Guide to the Region's New Grocery Stores

05/08/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Pollo Grill

Pollo Tropical's First Sarasota Location Opens

The chain started in Miami in 1988 and has since expanded around Florida and into Texas, Georgia and Nashville and has even set up shop in a number of Latin American and Caribbean spots.

04/26/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Breakthrough Bands

Catch Some Rising Musical Stars at the Harvey Milk Festival

The festival runs May 11-13 at Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota.

04/26/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker

People Person

Populism Inspires Sarasota Resident Jerry Springer's TV Show—and His Politics

Springer estimates that he’s done 200 shows a year for 26 years, with an average of 10 guests a show, which means roughly 50,000 Americans have appeared on TV with him.

04/26/2017 By Cooper Levey-Baker