5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.

Charlotte Voisey knows herself a cocktail.

The British-born mixologist has concocted drinks and run bars in the metropolitan likes of London, Barcelona, Buenos Aires and New York City.

In 2006, Voisey won the silver medal at the World Female Bartending Championships in Italy, and was previously named United Kingdom's Bartender of the Year in 2004.

As a gin gal, she is currently the ambassador for William Grant & Sons Independent Family of Distillers.

When she isn't shaking or stirring boozy beverages behind the bar, she's sipping up libation literature.

Five Favorite Cocktail Books: Charlotte Voisey

FULL POST

Every weekday, we're highlighting a local or regional blogger we think you ought to know about. We can’t be everywhere at once, so we look to these passionate eaters, cooks and writers to keep us tapped into every facet of the food world. Consider this a way to get to know a blog’s taste buds, because, well, you should.

Meet today's featured bloggers and blog:
Who: James Norton, Editor of The Heavy Table
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Twitter: @heavytable

FULL POST

President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev are raising hell together - hell burgers, that is.

The president treated the visiting Russian leader with a taste of Americana at Ray's Hell Burger in Arlington, Virginia.

And in case you were wondering, they would like (freedom) fries with that. In the spirit of diplomacy, they even shared an order.

Read the full story

Sink your teeth into today's top stories from around the globe.

• Low and medium priced French wines will soon be mass-produced in order to appeal to young wine drinkers.  So much for terroir. - The Independent

• When nearly every country playing in the World Cup has a signature wine or spirit, a World Cup drinking game only seems fitting. (Extra points if you funnel a beer through a vuvuzela.) – CHOW

• Time Magazine released a statement saying that columnist-under-fire, Josh Ozersky, should have told readers that both the food and the venue were free in his piece about wedding catering. - The New York Times

• One percent or skim? The D.C. Public School System will no longer serve its students sweetened, flavored milk. - Washington Post

Eatocracy sat down with John Besh, Marcus Samuelsson, the Voltaggio Brothers and others at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen to discuss the disaster in the Gulf and the future of American seafood.
FULL POST

Ask not for whom the lunch bell tolls; it tolls for the cheftestants.

Last night's episode of "Top Chef: D.C." forced the 16 remaining competitors to create a healthy school lunch for some lucky local middle schoolers.

The episode was runamuck with D.C.-isms and bad puns: a "bipartisan-dwich" challenge; patriotic aprons; and White House chef Sam Kass acting as guest judge.

But, who was told to "pack their knives and go?" (Editor's note: spoilers ahead!)

Read the full recap

Craving Cabernet? Gotta get that Gewürztraminer in a hurry? Try a do-it-yourself wine vending machine.

Pennsylvania's Liquor Control Board unveiled a wine kiosk at a Giant grocery store in Susquehanna Township on Wednesday and another at a Wegman's market in Silver Spring Township.

The machines operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day but Sunday and are fitted with an ID scanner and Breathalyzer to thwart attempts by the underaged and overserved.

Read the FULL STORY