So much goes into every experience we have at a restaurant, whether it’s casual, fine dining, a cocktail lounge or brewery. We want to share the knowledge of industry professionals, provide tips for cooking enthusiasts, and highlight the unique events and opportunities available in our community, all with the hope of elevating the Nebraska dining experience.
STAFF
Carole Sprunk, Owner/Publisher
Carole Sprunk is the publisher and owner of Dine Magazine. Since 2012, Carole has been involved in the newspaper and printing industries. Starting a Newspapers In Education program, having a passion for printing and love for Omaha led to purchasing Dine’s sister publication Edge Magazine. [email protected]
Michael Meyer, Co-owner
Michael has always been writer at heart. Over the past 6 years he has covered the Nebraska craft beer scene through his blog joejavastout.com and has published two books. Michael is a supporter of the Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild. He has a passion for supporting local businesses and charities.
Kathy Rygg, Executive Editor
Kathy, an Omaha native and graduate of Iowa State University, is a writer, editor, and author of nine published children’s books for kids ages 5-12. She has served as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Elkhorn Athletic Association, a committee member for the Nebraska/Iowa Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation annual Night of Champions event, and as the parent coordinator for the My IBD Family committee at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. [email protected]
Quentin Lueninghoener, Designer
Quentin is a graphic designer, illustrator and journalist based in Omaha, Neb. After earning a degree in News-Editorial from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Communication, he worked as a designer and artist at The Oregonian and The Omaha World-Herald. Since 2012, he’s been running a design company, Hanscom Park Studio, which worked on the design of the magazine and Dine website.
Nat Ogura, Photographer
Originally from Japan, Nat has been in Omaha since 2007. She started a local food blog Yum Omaha with a focus on food photography which she has a passion for. In 2019, she expanded her hobby into Mohawk Productions LLC, which offers photography and social media management and started working with multiple agencies as a contractor in Omaha, Lincoln, and the Des Moines markets. You may have seen her work at many of local restaurants. Her motto is to capture food in a way you can almost taste. Other than being a photographer, she is a happy runner who is on the road and trail almost every day spreading her love of running.
Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer
Nicole has a degree in Journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and fell in love with advertising as a freshman. Now, she utilizes her communication skills and her creative mindset to help grow the Edge and Dine brands throughout the state and region.
Anna Hartman, Contributing Writer
Anna is a freelance food writer, recipe tester, and culinary student who adores mise en place, eats, drinks, and outdoorsy activities. You will also find her working in the Continuing Education department at the MCC Institute for the Culinary Arts, further feeding her mise en place obsession while helping others find their way around the kitchen.
Mike Watkins, Contributing Writer
Michael Watkins is a University of Iowa graduate (BA and MA) and has more than 25 years of experience in marketing, communications and writing/editing. He is an award-winning local, regional and national writer and communicator. When he’s not working, he enjoys playing tennis, watching movies, working in his yard and on his house and spending time with family and friends.
Andy Williams, Contributing Writer
Andy and his wife, Lorrie, have enjoyed raising their three boys in Omaha and being involved in the community through youth sports, church activities and community engagement. As a freelance writer many of those years for various publications, Andy is also passionate about finding great stories of the Midwest–business, entertainment, cause-driven and civic–and telling those stories in a compelling way in publications such as Edge and Dine. When he’s not writing, you’ll find Andy enjoying a run, taking a walk through a scenic area, hanging with friends and family, or leading high-performing teams to accomplish strategic business goals.
DINE ADVISORY BOARD
We have partnered with local industry experts in order to provide relevant, timely, unique content that consumers and industry professionals will appreciate. Our Advisory Board draws from a number of individuals across the food and beverage industry so that we are constantly generating new ideas.
Matt Brown, Advanced Sommelier, V. Mertz
Brian O’Malley, Metropolitan Community College Institute for the Culinary Arts
Abby McLeay, owner, Zen Coffee Co.
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