I’m Josh Bishop. #bishopapproved and #greatsticksandbetterviews. A random, funny accident started a fun trend online where I take photos with a good view of scenery, my better half and sometimes a friend. I’ve met so many good people in the industry and it’s been a blessing. We like to work hard and play harder. Grew up in Texas and made the move to New England about 3 years ago. I’m in the car business so if you ever need some buying/selling advice please always ask!
My name is Jessica Q aka StogieChik.
I am the CEO and Founder of NV Media Advertising Agency based out of California, servicing national and international clients since 2016.
I tried my very first cigar on national television at the age of 21. Fast forward to about two years ago, I really became more fascinated with cigars as I started hanging out with the local cigar group where I live. We would meet up a few times a week to share experiences, discuss business and smoke. In June of 2020, I realized I had an obsession with cigar flavors, shapes, blends and decided to start my StogieChik Instagram page and share all my pictures and videos with the cigar community. I love Cubans and NCs. I hope to travel the world visiting cigar factories after the pandemic slows down. In the meantime, I enrolled in the Tobacconist University to build my knowledge of the wonderful world of cigars. Follow my journey on Instagram @StogieChik and find my calendar and other goodies at StogieChik.com. I can’t wait to share my reviews and experiences with you all.
I’m just an old German boy from Nebraska who was dropped on his head at age 2, and found himself living here and there around the world. Mostly near coastal waters, so I learned to swim early, I guess just to make sure, Dad took me to a pool around the same time and tossed me in the deep end with the idea it was either sink or swim. I’ve been chasing those deep ends ever since, so when I take an interest in something it is all in, there & no dipping toes in for me.
I currently live within a five minute walk off the Chesapeake Bay in coastal Virginia where I can pursue some of my other favorite pursuits like salt and freshwater fly fishing, cycling and swimming.
My background is in Fitness, Sports and Aquatics with my education in Business Psychology and minor in Philosophy. I currently am working toward a Masters in Divinity for a chaplaincy in hospice care, which is the field I currently work in when I’m not chasing new deep ends. Plus someone’s got to keep all you heathen grounded!
With that said I am a Cigar Sommelier with the IACS, daily pipe smoker & Coffee specialist. I also know my way around a good Scotch, which is my drink of choice (I like it neat) when I’m not drinking coffee or a good craft beer. I’m presently growing a small coffee roasting and cigar pairing business for the 757 area. I’m big into Jazz Vinyl, Film Noir and reading, mostly crime fiction and philosophy among a myriad of other deep end interests. I’m not sure Chris and Susan knew what they were getting themselves into when they got me! I’ve got to say though, I think they’ve really hit on an important sector of the cigar culture with catering to us regular working Joes who enjoy some of the finer things, but aren’t able to drop thousands of dollars on that rare box of Cubans.
In 1987 in the foothills of southern West Virginia, a fucking legend was born. I was raised on a steady diet of moonshine, pepperoni rolls, and real country music. Guys like Keith Whitley, Mark Chesnutt, Alan Jackson, and Tracy Lawrence were the soundtrack to my childhood.
I’m Lauren, from Arkansas, USA! A fairly new cigar smoker. I prefer Connecticut, Habano, and Sungrown wrapped cigars, but I love trying anything new. People might know me as the girl that smokes wearing different countries flags that are sent to me I’m on Instagram at @ladyoftheleaf_
Jon Gjebrea
Founder of Noble Cigars
Born in a small Mediterranean country, Jon’s recollections of good cigars have stayed with him since his youth. He will never forget the impressions of his first cigar. “Notes of excitement and eagerness to learn more, with strange feelings of coming of age …”. That was his main reaction while smoking his first few puffs.
Living for many years in different places all over the world, Jon always has had one vision: to make people enjoy the simplest moments in the best way possible. That is what he has set to achieve with “Noble”.
His passion about cigars started with the sole feelings of enjoyment. Later, it became an idea and now, a lifestyle.
Jon is pleased to share with you his passion through this journey.
NGCS is proud to have Jon as a part of the team.
Hi, I’m Josie. I was born and raised in Sunny California. I’m a Cigar Sommelier from The International Association of Cigar Sommeliers. You can find me hosting events from the West to the East Coast. I love pairing my cigars with refreshing libations. Check me out on Instagram @whiskeygirl_josie or my Site
Josh Ward. Born of peat moss and tobacco smoke this troubadour turned heathen can be seen ravaging his way through the world of whisky, sharing stories told by golden spirits. His teachings often mistaken for the ramblings of a madman with a look to fit the part. Fuelled by the tears of his enemies he’s been known to gain sustenance by licking the salt from the cheeks of his adversaries. Perhaps more akin to the likes of a voodoo priest but this minister has a more menacing agenda, for his church welcomes the sinister and sinners alike. The Not Gentlemanly Cigar Smokers seemed like a fitting home for an apparition doomed to roam the earth as a Whisky Heathen, the curse only lifted after he’s tasted it all.
I’m Steve, and since the age of 10 when a copy of Metallica’s classic 1988 album …And Justice For All blasted out of my parents cassette deck and changed my life, I’ve been extremely passionate about music. Between playing in bands in my teens and twenties and transitioning to becoming a family man, collector of vinyl and other physical media and an “amateur audiophile” in my 30’s, that passion has never wavered. In fact, it’s grown in different ways. As the years pass, I become more of a fan and a student of different genres and styles. I can’t wait to share my thoughts on music and some album reviews. If you enjoy what you read, check out my Instagram for more reviews on music and other stuff I’m passionate about.
Spawned from the Rattlesnake and Mesquite infested desert of West Texas, Flew supersonic bombers for the Strategic Air Command keeping the Soviet hordes at bay, climbed to the top of the Great Pyramid, Swam across the Suez Canal, Won the 1990 Grand Forks North Dakota Kareoke competion with an incredible rendition of ‘You’ve Lost that Lovin Feeling’, pushed Russell Crowe into a swimming pool, Smoked a Cigar with Motherfucking Shaft (the original), was kissed by Celine Dion, Drank a coke with Garth Brooks, Spanker of consenting women’s buttocks, and a self confessed Opus X Whore.
On a more serious note, I travel all the time for work and during my travels I visit every cigar lounge I come across. I love to visit, take picture and compare lounges and that, is what I plan to bring to the NGCS community.
I’ll leave you with this;
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”
History
Born and raised in Windsor Ontario Canada to an Italian father and Serbian mother. I was surrounded by great cooks and food brought my family together — whether it was my mom frying schnitzel, or my nonno (grandfather) cooking wild rabbit in the morning.
I studied culinary at St. Clair College, did my apprenticeship under Chef Michael Anthony, wrote and passed my red seal exam in 2012. I’ve worked at 14 different restaurants all the way from dish pit to executive chef in the busiest ‘3 location’ restaurant, taught culinary with the college, and now I’m the proud chef of a unique concept called Cortina Gourmet Market.
I was always inspired by the food that locals eat in my city, especially the incredible street or fast food the area had to offer. It’s directed me on my culinary journey.
At the age of 14 I took a job in Little Italy (Erie Street) at a place called Magenta cafe as a short order cook making gourmet sandwiches and salads, doing dishes, making espressos and cleaning the cafe every night. I began to take it seriously when I started working with chef Michael Anthony. He is the reason I went to culinary school and dedicated my life to this at such an early age.
Most of my fellow chefs have left Windsor for bigger cities and more financially sound jobs. I’ve made it a point to not leave. We are small town with big city ideas, and I want to be at the front of the line when people hear about the food of our city.
Italian street food
At one time during my career my passion for food was fading. Then I traveled to Europe where I found that passion again and started to study the local street food. I married the love of my life, Virginia, in her home town of Alcamo Sicily and then we travelled. When I came home I purchased my first denim apron from the Chef Works website and I can’t make this up, I started to break the rules in cooking traditional Italian.
But the most important part of the food is the fact that everything we use comes from around us. That’s what Italians do best — they eat what’s around them. If it’s not growing during that season, then they don’t eat it. That is fundamental to sustainable cuisine and also quintessential to Italian street food.
Best tip to young cooks and chefs
The worst mistake you can make is to lock yourself in the kitchen to strive for this impossible thing called perfection. I missed 10 years of my life with family and friends because I was looking for something in my kitchen I couldn’t attain. Chefs at all stages in their culinary career need to continue learning inside and outside the kitchen. Your technique and skills aren’t enough anymore. Keep asking questions, read more books, go on that trip, taste that food push yourself, don’t get comfortable.
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