James Hastings
Location
Chiang Mai, Thailand
School
Collingwood College
Expertise
Craft Beer, Southeast Asian Cuisine, Sustainability In Hospitality
- While serving as 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.
- His knowledge of the food and beverage industry is broad and deep, having worked in both the on- and off-trade sectors. This is demonstrated by his hospitality accolades from the UK, France, and New Zealand.
Experience
James is a feature writer at Tasting Table and 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 project manager for Wild Response, an international wildlife conservation nonprofit.
Education
James studied English and history in college. He is currently pursuing additional studies in wildlife conservation.
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.
Stories By James Hastings
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A world-traveling mixologist offers advice for making whiskey cocktails with just three ingredients, proving that simple drink recipes produce superb results.
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You might avoid certain meats for being too unusual to grind and grill. Here are some unique options, from alligator to kangaroo, you can try in your burgers.
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Guatemala may not be the first place you expect a great rum to come from, but Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera No.23 proves otherwise.
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Irish cream liqueurs are popular, but which are the best of the bunch? Our expert is here to rank 14 options, from the mildly tasty to the seriously delicious.
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Combining cocktail bitters can add balance and unique flavors to upgrade your drinks. Here are some bitters combinations recommended by an expert bartender.
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If you're craving an ice cold beer alongside one of your favorite spicy dishes, here are the best beer pairings for balancing spicy foods and meals.
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This list covers all of the tricks I pulled to create a variety of delicious drinks with Creme de Violette, all of which you can make work at home.
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Here are some of the most significant mistakes people tend to make when they are cooking with wine, and how to avoid all of them when you're cooking.
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The world of rum is vast and varied, and Jamaican rum is no exception. We ranked some of the most popular and well-known Jamaican rum brands.
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From whisky matured under a forested mountain to whisky sent out on a flavorful voyage at sea, we've ranked the finest whisky Japan has to offer.
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Whiskey sours are always fun to order at a bar, and if you're making them at home, these bourbons and whiskies will help you get the most out of your cocktail.
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If you're tired of the same old rum drinks, maybe it's time to branch out -- here are some of the tastiest and highest quality rums on the market.
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Japanese whisky is increasingly popular, and with good reason. With a wealth of complexity and rich flavors, here are the best ones you're likely to find.
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No matter what your reasons are for searching are, getting your hands on rare bourbon can be a lot of trouble. These tips turn the hunt into a bit more fun.
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There's plenty of reason to love high-proof bourbons, and not just because of the extra alcohol. These bottles are the best and boldest expressions out there.
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How you pour a beer has a huge impact on the final drinking experience ─ and there are a few handy tips and tricks behind pulling off the perfect pint.
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You can drink any beverage with your meal, but why not try the perfect cocktail? These food and drink pairings might be unheralded, but they just plain work.
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Visiting a brewery is a great way to learn about beer (and drink plenty of it), but you'll want to avoid these mistakes on your next trip to the taproom.
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While the best bourbons do cost more, there's not a strict rule that the more you spend, the better it gets. We break down your best options.
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Fortunately, there are a number of go-to beverages we can turn to in a pinch at any dive bar. From classics like rum and coke to beer, we got the list.
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Whiskey and chocolate - that's what we call the perfect nightcap pairing. Check out our guide to which chocolates go best with our favorite bottles of whiskey.
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To make it easier to sift through the countless bitters brands and up your cocktail game, we've ranked them from okay to outstanding.