Stories For and About Living Your Truth
By Chanda Temple
There’s something about biting into a chocolate chip cookie that just soothes the soul.
It’s ooey. It’s gooey. And just oh, so good.
And if you are Emily Hall, a chocolate chip cookie is not only comfort food but also a recipe for new beginnings.
The Breakup Cookie is made with three types of chocolate, which gives it its decadent flavor. (Photo courtesy of The Breakup Cookie company.)
All summer, the City of Birmingham has hosted Food Truck Friday in front of City Hall for consumers to experience the area’s growing food truck scene. On Oct. 4, Food Truck Friday will be held but with a twist of “pink” as organizers raise awareness about breast cancer.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be food trucks, music, and local organizations sharing information about breast cancer.
A “Pink Parade’’ will start at 12:05 p.m. with breast cancer survivors and supporters of those who’ve been impacted by breast cancer. Those who’ve lost a loved one to breast cancer are also invited to walk. Walkers are encouraged to arrive by 11:40 a.m. to pick up pink pom poms and ribbons and start assembling for the walk.
This parade will not be in the street but will be in Linn Park. The address for Birmingham City Hall is 710 – 20th Street North. Participation is free.
This event is being presented by the city’s StrongHer campaign, which highlights “unsung’’ sheroes in the community. Every March, a new class of StrongHer honorees are highlighted during Women’s History Month. Organizers decided to take StrongHer beyond March this year in an effort to honor breast cancer survivors, their caregivers and anyone impacted by the disease. Several StrongHer honorees will be present on Oct. 4 as a way to give back. Other walkers will include members of the Army Reserve, the fire departement and more.
By Chanda Temple
When people visit Birmingham and its surrounding areas, they come hungry for two things: bold history and even bolder flavor. The good news? Locals know exactly where to find both. We’ve rounded up their favorite spots, organized by location, so you can eat your way through metro-birmingham, one yummy bite at a time.
I’m working on adding links for each restaurant soon. Until then, dig into the list and get ready to enjoy what the Magic City has to offer. **This list was last updated on March 26, 2025.**
Hungry for more? Follow me on Instagram for delicious foodie pics.
AVONDALE
Avondale Common House
Big Spoon Creamery
Joyland
The Marble Ring
Miracle Pizza Co.
Saw’s Soul Kitchen
By Chanda Temple
For several years, Jasmine Smith worked in the background to help her chef friends on big food events. She did so in her spare time because, well, that’s just the kind of friend she is.
Then, in 2023, a friend aware of Smith’s culinary skills, wanted to put Jasmine out front and suggested she be one of the presenting cooks during the inaugural Birmingham Food Plus Heritage dinner at Pepper Place in Birmingham, AL.
Jasmine accepted the invitation and served up dishes that impressed the crowd.
Jasmine Smith at Birmingham Food Plus 2023 at Birmingham’s Pepper Place (Photo credit: Chanda Temple)
By Chanda Temple
When things got tough, Atlanta artist Lauren Lane turned to painting.
Through strokes of vibrant oranges, greens and blues, she painted through the worries and pains of family health challenges, a difficult workload and the self doubt of “Is my art good enough.”
Never one to break, she placed her trust in God. And He delivered.
Atlanta artist Lauren Lane said this piece was inspired by Joseph from the Bible and his multi-colored coat. She’s at Magic City Art Connection 2024 at Sloss Furnaces. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
By Chanda Temple
Losing her husband to a massive heart attack was gut-wrenching for Candace Chandler. Then, one month later, she miscarried the couple’s first baby.
Another gut-wrenching moment.
Experiencing the back-to-back losses in 2017 left Chandler lost, confused and severely depressed.
“I said, ‘Lord, I can’t do this anymore.’ I wanted to give up,’’ she said. “I went from being at the mountaintop to the valley.”
By Chanda Temple
When Birmingham native Jessica S. Smith, founder of “Jess Ask,” the podcast and Emmy winner and social media star Tabitha Brown took the stage at the Lyric Theatre on Feb. 3 in Birmingham, AL, they enriched the evening by dropping pearls of inspiration, wisdom and empowerment. Near the end, Brown commended Smith on a job well done.
“I’m so grateful you said, ‘yes,’’’ Brown told Smith, recalling how she first asked her to be a part of the event. “You have been amazing. ‘Honey, (doesn’t) it look like she belongs in this space?’ She’s doing what God has called her to do.’’
“So, I pray that whatever it is that you dream, whatever it is that you imagine, that God makes it 10 times even bigger than it is, honey.’’
“I appreciate you. I see you. And God sees you. He hears you. So, don’t ever forget, and don’t ever doubt it. It’s all over you, honey,’’ Brown told Smith.
By Chanda Temple
FabCrunch.com has named Eugene’s Hot Chicken in Birmingham, AL as having the best fried chicken in Alabama.
In its 2023 story, FabCrunch said it scoured the nation “to uncover the best fried chicken spots that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. From coast to coast, we’ve left no stone unturned in our pursuit of the ultimate fried chicken perfection.’’ In reviewing restaurants in every state, FabCrunch.com said that Eugene’s “perfect balance of heat and flavor will leave you craving for more.’’
Eugene’s Hot Chicken CEO and founder Zebbie Carney said he’s humbled by the recognition, citing how cool it is for someone outside Alabama to recognize the restaurant’s hard work. “It’s a blessing,’’ he said.
Ted’s Restaurant, one of Birmingham’s landmark eateries, is celebrating 50 years of business.
It’s not unusual to see a line of patrons ready to get their fill of homestyle Southern cooking seasoned with old-style Greek hospitality at Ted’s. People come for the food and stay for the tradition at this eatery, which has seen dedicated owners work to make the restaurant what it is today.
So what exactly is the secret behind 50 years of success for Ted’s, which offers breakfast, brunch and lunch?
“It’s our dedication to our customers and the Birmingham community. They are like family to us, and we are constantly looking for ways to better serve them, whether it’s cooking up someone’s Saturday morning regular or supporting local charities,” said Beba Touloupis, who runs the business with her husband, Tasos.
By Chanda Temple
On June 10, 2022, Pyper Brown was feeling good. Really good.
It was her 28th birthday, and it was also the day she and five designers were set to compete in Magic City Fashion Week, a public fashion show that highlighted up-and-coing designers.
Although Brown said the Birmingham crowd cheered for her avant-garde designs, she didn’t win.
Despite the loss, Brown still celebrated with family and friends. “You can’t just let stuff like that take advantage of the moment you had,’’ said the West End resident, now 29. “It was still a good experience. It just didn’t end the way that we wanted it.’
But from that one night, Brown gained different kinds of wins.