Having 35mm in your IG username, I assume you’re a photographer that shoots film. Never would I thought that you went to University of Pennsylvania, be inspired by Yowie, Thank You Thank You, and have a magazine dedicated to a community-driven magazine and creative studio exploring the world of food & drink called Off-Menu Magazine.
Meet Sophie Chen, a photographer and founder of Off-Menu Magazine.
Wear Many Hats pulled up to Off-Menu Magazine Issue 02: A New Wave release party held at Masquerade bar in Brooklyn. Russell Markus of Essential Herbs, a catering and culinary studio is at the intersection of culinary, art, and community had a menu in the backyard serving up delicious eats. I met Russell once before at outings and pop ups for his other projects Red Coffee Stand and Hot Soup.
Russell is the cover star for Off-Menu Magazine’s Issue 2: A New Wave.
Off Menu Magazine features @soupandsandwich.nyc @muted.entity @81.eats @lev.nyc @kinhfolk @studiobumi.nyc @sag.nyc @behomefordinner .. so click along to learn more about these fine food and drink folk.
When we arrived at the release party, I never met Sophie before so I was on mission to find her. I showed up late because Matsar, my food and beverage consumer goods packaging little engine that could, was doing a pop up earlier at forecast space but when I arrived, lovely attendees of the grapevine told me there was a line and a hot hour from 6pm - 9pm.
I was waiting for my Gen-Z Alpha friend to arrive only to find out that they have a completely wrong take on pulling up to parties. Especially openings and releases. Fashionably late of 1 hour is acceptable but if you still plan on coming but if you don’t have a valid excuse.. time is running out. Covid times really screwed with the minds of the young but don’t worry, Wear Many Hats will teach you how to party.
I was on the mission to find who Sophie was. I asked a couple people, got all kinds of answers, so I took a break and had Russel make me a shaved ice. So refreshing.
Then I found her.
On our episode with Sophie on Wear Many Hats, I learned that Sophie photographed a collab with friend and guest of the show, Jay Wolman of Intermission. Jay recently moved to Philly and has linked up with Irwins at the Bok Building.
I learned that Jay moved to Philly by partying up on the roof of the Bok Building, supporting friends, Marissa Le & Todd Cooke and their first chess club with Club Connection. Jay hit me up to tell me of his new location. Would I have crossed paths with Sophie at a night of chef Michael Ferreri collab with Jay Wolman? Wish I could but for now I am reminded of their night through Sophie’s photos:
While listening, please have a glass of wine, coffee, or tea to our episode with Sophie Chen of Off-Menu Magazine on Wear Many Hats. Enjoy!