DYK: Greenville's Checkeeper has reimagined check printing services for over 80,000 companies, bookkeepers and individuals. Checkeeper has worked with the likes of: PandaDoc, tokbox and Guardian Trust. Support local, check out Checkeeper.com for your 14-day free trial. No credit card required.
Name: Sam Slaughter
How long have you been in Greenville? It will be two years in January, I moved in January 2017.
What is the most interesting fact about yourself? I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Anthony Bourdain, twice, before his passing.
I grew up in New Jersey, I was aware of whom Anthony was in high school. The book that he [Bourdain] wrote, ‘A Cook’s Tour,’ and seeing his shows, plus coming from the similar-ish backgrounds in New Jersey, allowed me to identify that I wanted to do what he did in a sense.
Then, I had the pleasure of drinking whiskey and sitting on a couch with him. Sure, we talked about his career and himself as a person. But we talked about tattoos, we both had them, he was real. Then, I heard of his passing, I was in Florence, Italy covering things. This news about Anthony pops up, the World goes quiet in your head. I am here because of him, I looked up to him.
So many people in this industry [hospitality] suffer with stuff. You look at Robin Williams, Anthony. We do not have access, or you know what, really, we don’t have the words to share our feelings with one another. We need to [share].
What is your background? I had a white picket fence kind of childhood.
I went to Catholic School in high school and then I went to Elon in North Carolina. I had to get out, I went to Elon because I was tired of Jersey, and I am not [complaining] but I saw the skyline of New York City everyday while I was in Jersey.
My second day of high school was September 11th, 2001 and I was in New Jersey, I was in Jersey City. You could look down the street and you could see what was going on, it was right in front of you. That is a weird tone to set off for high school: you do not know the folks you are with, but yet, you are experiencing something catastrophically. Something that is going to change your life.
I took the PATH [train from Jersey to World Trade Center + surrounding areas...for us Southerners], and it was a cohesion to see everyone on my daily commute after the attacks. It was a feeling: if we can get through this together, do something wonderful, then we got this. It was a moment to bond. I am still friends with the kid in Biology, the one kid whom I never really knew prior, when the school speaker came on around 9:00am that Tuesday.
After high school, I went, as mentioned, to Elon [North Carolina]. Then, upon graduation from Elon, I spent a year in Graduate School in Montana and worked at a winery but then I got burned out. I decided to work at a newspaper, I was a reporter and just got bored. [over time] I would get my Masters from Stetson University, Mastering in English but then I would help start a brewery. That didn’t work out, I did marketing for a pyramid scheme, multi-level marketing company, but in that time, I was looking to do more with food + drink.
I found on Craigslist, however, that the company that I am working for now, was looking for a Food and Marketing Director. I felt like I knew I had to write and then, I got the job [below].
Since I was a kid, I have been cooking and playing with flavor. I even remember at a young age, with my Mother, I watched her and then gradually started to help her. She and I always messed around with food in the kitchen. There has always been something that I have been intrigued about, then I mixed alcohol amongst the food.
[As a mixologist], my drink visuals come down to: how can the drinker have the best time possible? If I knew you, what would I do? If you like peanuts, what would I make? I am in the service industry, we are here to ensure that you have a good time within reason.
Believe it or not, I try not to drink every day. The allure, the lust and the appeal of drinking wears off. I also live with my dog, and let's be honest, drinking alone is something that I do not want to engage in, not even by a slim. I will have friends over, however, and ask them, if I am not in the mood to drink, what their thoughts are on that cocktail, wine, and so forth. There is a lot of alcohol in my house, but there are also chairs. I don’t have to partake or engage in either, I can lay low on the couch. It is a matter of self-care and taking care of my body.
What are you currently reading and/or watching? Watching. I like, ‘Castle Rock,’and I also like, ‘American Horror Story.’
Reading wise: I feel like I always have three-to-four cookbooks or cocktail books that I am halfway looking through for inspiration.
What are your hobby(s): Kickball, running and video games.
What phrase do you try to live by? There is a Bourdain quote: your body is not a Temple, it is an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.
Who do you work for? I am the Food and Drink Editor for a Men’s Lifestyle magazine, ‘The Manual.'
I also have a cocktail book that came out: Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum?: and Other Cocktails for '90s Kids (Slaughter, 2019)
What is your day-to-day at work? Email and email. I also edit articles, interact with brands, record the podcast, interview preparation. There is a lot of sitting at the computer. I try to knock those tasks off of my to-do lists.
How would you describe Greenville? A small Southern City that is on the rise with growth factors.
How would Greenville describe you? Bearded-man that wears flannel but could be found in a bar.
What is your happiest Greenville moment? This year’s Euphoria.
What about Greenville makes you proud? Walking downtown and seeing my friends, regardless of our walks in life.
What is your favorite Greenville morning hangout? Cohesive Coffee
What is your favorite Greenville evening hangout? My home bar or LTO