Location
Bangkok City, Thailand
School
Collingwood College
Expertise
Craft Beer, Spirits, Cocktails, International Cuisine, Sustainable Hospitality
- Before becoming a food writer and editor, James spent over 16 years in the hospitality industry, working in eight countries around the globe and gaining skills in almost every type of venue imaginable.
- While beverage manager at Charley Noble, a Chef's Hat-awarded restaurant in New Zealand, James' team won Cuisine's Best Drinks List in 2017 and made the national GoodFood list of Top 100 Restaurants in 2018.
- In 2023, he was also awarded "Best Newcomer" by BrewDog, Europe's largest independent craft brewery.
Experience
James is a food feature editor who has amassed a wealth of experience in both the writing and culinary worlds. His background features a blend of hospitality experience, freelance writing, and digital strategy, with notable contributions to food publications. His time working for a range of high-end independent businesses has resulted in extensive knowledge and interest in craft beer, spirits, cocktails, and fine wine. He has also been fortunate enough to work with industry powerhouses such as Heineken and BrewDog, where he indulged his love for teaching by running beer schools. Before becoming a food writer, James spent over 16 years in the hospitality industry, working in eight countries around the globe and picking up skills in almost every type of venue imaginable. When he's not writing about food and drink or experimenting with avant-garde cocktail recipes, James works as a Stop The Bleed instructor in Southeast Asia, providing emergency first aid training to local communities.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
We strive to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day; cooking tips, tricks, and trends; or reviews and recommendations. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our team is constantly reviewing and updating articles as necessary. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
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Shopping Tips
By James Hastings
As food safety concerns grow, more people are exploring alternatives to lettuce, and one budget-friendly vegetable is proving to be a versatile substitute.
By James Hastings
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Coffee and Tea
By James Hastings
While coffee-pod machines like Keurigs are very convenient, there might be a nasty downside that's turning out to be the hidden cost of that convenience.
By James Hastings
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Scotch is a legally protected type of whisky that can only be produced under specific rules — making every Scotch a whisky, but not every whisky a Scotch.
By James Hastings
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Culture
By James Hastings
You wouldn't think of tech and fast food mixing, but one prominent billionaire has diversified into growing potatoes — earning him an exclusive Gold Card.
By James Hastings
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Gardening
By James Hastings
Keep squirrels, rabbits, and other garden pests away naturally with a simple cayenne pepper trick that's inexpensive and helps protect your plants.
By James Hastings
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If you want a perfectly tender smoked brisket, the 4-2-10 method simplifies the process into three phases. Find out how to use this method for the best results.
By James Hastings
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Explore Costco's approach to unsold appliances, including clearance sales, liquidation partnerships, returns, and inventory management strategies.
By James Hastings
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Rising food insecurity has put a spotlight on how companies manage excess food. Here's what Target does with food waste and donations.
By James Hastings
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Beer and Wine
By James Hastings
With a plethora of wine bottle sizes out there to choose from, don't sleep on this one party-sized variety that gets its name from the Old Testament.
By James Hastings
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Casual Dining
By James Hastings
While a line might be expected at Dutch Girl Donuts, you'd struggle to find anyone who says this old-school bakery's donuts aren't well worth the wait.
By James Hastings
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Cooking Tips
By James Hastings
If you need to use raw eggs in a recipe, it's crucial to learn how to use them safely. There is a process you can do at home to make raw eggs less risky to eat.
By James Hastings
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Food History
By James Hastings
Learn why the Nestlé logo features a bird’s nest, how it connects to the company’s name, and the family-focused meaning behind it as it's evolved.
By James Hastings
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Food Facts
By James Hastings
Many of us have fond memories of eating sweet and juicy strawberries from the store. Find out the reasons why strawberries are simply not as flavorful anymore.
By James Hastings
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Food History
By James Hastings
Five Alive was a beloved drink sold by Coca-Cola — until it wasn't. Here's why fans blame the beverage that followed as the reason Five Alive disappeared.
By James Hastings
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Fast Food
By James Hastings
Many fast food companies rely on franchisees to operate stores. We broke down the requirements to own a Popeyes, as well as the possible rewards.
By James Hastings
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Casual Dining
By James Hastings
Learn who owns Cracker Barrel, how the company is structured, and what shapes the restaurant's leadership and long-standing branding in today's marketplace.
By James Hastings
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Gardening
By James Hastings
Gardening can become increasingly difficult when you're fighting against pests. But with one kitchen staple and a little luck, you might deter them.
By James Hastings
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Kitchen
By James Hastings
A refrigerator is the hardest working appliance in the kitchen, so here's how long you can expect it to last along with a few tips to keep it running.
By James Hastings
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Thrift stores offer impressive bargains on fully functional items, but appliances are a category unto themselves, with legal protections creating gray areas.
By James Hastings
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Shopping Tips
By James Hastings
With rising gas prices, finding an affordable spot is a top priority. The cheat code to know is to look for ones with food offerings as it offsets fuel costs.
By James Hastings
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Tequila as a whole has been booming in the United States, but not even the most premium brands come close to competing with this mass-market brand.
By James Hastings
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Food Facts
By James Hastings
We've all noticed that grocery prices have soared in recent times, and with cereal being one of the food items hit hard, we look into the multiple reasons.
By James Hastings
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Casual Dining
By James Hastings
Many restaurants embellish the "About Us" section, but some go so far as to fabricate the whole thing. This chain suffered backlash for duping the public.
By James Hastings
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Beer and Wine
By James Hastings
Malt liquor was once a popular beverage just like beer, wine, and canned cocktails, but these days it's harder and harder to find it on the shelves.
By James Hastings
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Culture
By James Hastings
The popular cooking show "Hell's Kitchen" is known for its high-stakes drama, but this one scandal was caused by a run-of-the-mill item appearing on set.
By James Hastings
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Home-brand grocery store tequila might not inspire great confidence but these bottles are well-regarded by customers. Here's how the price points are justified.
By James Hastings
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Casual Dining
By James Hastings
This simple appetizer has gained a devoted fan base, though customers remain stumped as to how to recreate it at home. Here's the inside story.
By James Hastings
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