Raised in Columbia Heights, Washington, DC, Brandon hosted heaps of dinner parties before becoming a professional chef and food writer. After graduating from The French Culinary Institute (FCI) in New York City, she's had experience food writing and catering for Food Network channels, Union Square Events, Saveur Magazine, and The FCI. Between New York and DC, you can find her snagging eclectic tableware and local ingredients to cook fresh and flavorful recipes.

Follow Brandon on Twitter @bmayaj and on her blog, Dresses and Appetizers.

Liz Gorman is a freelance photographer from Washington, DC.

Liz briefly studied photojournalism at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in DC. At 19, she was hired as Wkette's sole photographer and Intrepid Girl Reporter in 2006 and covered countless nightlife events in and around DC.

Liz then moved on to cover events for the Examiner and Washingtonian and many private clients. She is available to cover private parties, events or weddings. More of her work can be seen at her oft-updated blog, http://letsnottalkaboutart.blogspot.com/".

When not galavanting around town taking photos, Liz works for DC based arts organization the Pink Line Project.

Nila Kay is a singer/songwriter and guitarist based in the DC area. Currently preparing for the release of her debut album, Nila performs locally and nationally, and was recently featured on 89.3FM. She also plays lead and rhythm guitar in the backing bands for several rising independent artists and also plays with The Players, backing band for DC's annual J Dilla Tribute/Fundraiser event. Getting outside herself by going deeper within, Nila Kay sometimes flirts with jazz, sometimes jazzes up funk, and sometimes strips down pretty pop to its quintessential bare acoustic soul. But she always keeps the electricity arcing inward where the mood is simultaneously raw and tender, vulnerable and bold. Hers is the soulful collaboration of a streetwise mother and a visionary child.