MIDWEST

For forty years, the low-slung but striking Vine Street stone buildings on the periphery of Kansas City’s historic Jazz District have sat vacant, boarded up, surrounded by a chain-link fence and splattered with graffiti. They stood as a constant reminder of what was once a bustling neighborhood. Five years ago, a trio of like-minded local businessmen decided to take a chance … [Read more...] about How a striking building in the Jazz District was gutted to become a cultural destination

Shanita McAfee-Bryant knows the recipe for success. From creating new recipes within her family’s kitchen to winning Cutthroat Kitchen, a popular Food Network game show, McAfee-Bryant looks to use her talents to help those within her community through food advocacy and to bridge the divide in Kansas City with gumbo. During the pandemic, McAfee-Bryant had the opportunity to do … [Read more...] about For Shanita McAfee-Bryant, gumbo isn’t just food—it’s philosophy

Rain or shine, something Kansas Citians have been able to count on for the last thirty years is turning to KSHB 41 News and watching chief meteorologist Gary Lezak tell them what to expect. But with Lezak’s retirement quickly approaching, we’re left wondering what’s next for Kansas City’s favorite weatherman  Lezak—who was named the best weatherman in town by our readers in … [Read more...] about Here’s what meteorologist Gary Lezak has planned after retiring from KSHB 41

André’s has been making quiche since 1955, and not originally by choice. “The concept that my grandparents came over here from Switzerland with was exclusively pastries and chocolates—1955 Kansas City was not ready for a shop that just did that,” says owner René Bollier. “They didn’t really understand what my grandfather was doing, what made it special, why it was so much more … [Read more...] about The Ultimate KC Quiche Now has Burnt Ends

Illustration by Makalah Hardy. As the name implies, hot pots are hot. How hot? My server can’t tell the exact temperature of the rich broth tossing dried chiles around at a rolling boil on the induction burner in front of me, but she points to a recent battle scar on her chin. “I bent over and got too close,” she says. “So, yes, they are very hot.” This is the first rule of … [Read more...] about How to Hot Pot—Five Tips for Beginners