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.

Stuff We Like

Ron del Barrilito Is Now Easy to Find in Sarasota, and I'm Very Grateful

The Puerto Rican rum has been a cult favorite for decades.

03/28/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

War in Ukraine

A Bradenton Photographer Traveled to Poland to Document the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis

Allan Mestel's images were captured near the Poland-Ukraine border, where millions of refugees have crossed since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

03/21/2022 Photography by Allan Mestel By Cooper Levey-Baker

Halfway there

Filmmaker Launches Kickstarter to Complete Marcella Hazan Documentary

Director Peter Miller is hoping to raise $40,000 to finish his film about the legendary cookbook author.

03/18/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

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Spice Boys Restaurant Will Open Later This Year

The team behind the beloved food truck is opening a restaurant in The Landings.

03/11/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Restaurant Review

At Stiks, Familiar Asian Flavors Are Reinvented in a Grab-and-Go Format

Fast, approachable and tasty, Stiks is the exciting restaurant reinvention we didn’t know we needed.

03/03/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Catch of the Day

Eleven Types of Fish You'll Find in Local Waters

What to catch and how to cook it.

03/01/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Consider the Moose

The Bradenton Beach Moose Lodge Is the Largest in the World

Moose Lodge 2188, as it is known, occupies a bright-blue, two-story building in Bradenton Beach with dedicated beachfront parking. Sign us up!

03/01/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Bound Together

The Hidden Treasures of Community Cookbooks

Is the era of the small-town community cookbook over? Probably. But the recipes and the communion they built remain.

03/01/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

In the Mood for Love

Make Your Valentine's Day Reservations at One of These Romantic Restaurants

February 14 is right around the corner. Here's where to book your date night.

02/01/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Coming Attraction

Ruth's Chris Steak House Is Coming to Lakewood Ranch

The chain will join a shopping center that will also be home to a new Owen's Fish Camp and a new Italian restaurant.

01/21/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Keep it Unreal

Publix Is Carrying a New Line of Plant-Based Deli 'Meats' From a South Florida Native

Unreal Deli products mimic slices of corned beef, steak and roasted turkey.

01/14/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

In the Driver's Seat

Sarasota Food Truck Hires New Chef

Lisa Shields recently took the wheel at Hamlet's Eatery, which sets up at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.

01/10/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Politics

Panel Discusses 'Who Owns Florida's Beaches?'

Inspired by an award-winning Sarasota Magazine story, a Sarasota Tiger Bay Club panel on Thursday discussed the complex legalities of where the public beach ends and where private ownership begins.

01/06/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker