On any given night, Bria George and her husband, Matt, whip up a magical combination that allows them to serve creativity as the main course for dinner. She cooks, and he DJs, but together, they have a meal with a rhythmic vibe to match.
It’s these moments the Georges have that sparked the idea for Sound Bites. This new multi-sensory experience uses gastronomy and music to bring people together and help revamp third spaces.
Over the course of four hours on October 20, guests of the Sound Bites experience will be served six plates, which include three similar items in different variations (think deviled eggs made three different ways) at Young American Hard Cider.
While folks enjoy these tapas/flight-style servings, they are encouraged to move around, interact, and revel in the feelings of whatever experience the food and music create for them.
Bria says the music shouldn’t be seen as a supporting role but rather the second half of a full experience alongside the food. As the evening proceeds, the genre and vibe of the music will change, and that is how folks will know the next course is coming. Each genre and course should give guests a different vibe.
Bria’s background is as expansive as her flavor palette — marketing, ballet, and culinary experimentation, which you can see on her Outchef’d appearance on the Food Network. She says she’s always been a “jack of all trades,” but it was time she became a “master of some.”
She’s used that phrase to reassure herself that she doesn’t have to sacrifice her authenticity to excel across various fields. She takes a bit of what she’s learned in each field to help create this experience that goes beyond just dining but rather a spirited concession of tastes, sounds, and good vibes.
Touching on how this new experience relates to her passion to see an invigoration of third spaces, Bria pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as the primary culprit of their growing disappearance.
“We think about [third spaces] a lot in terms of kids,” she said, pointing to spaces like recreation centers. “But as a 31-year-old, I don’t really have that either.”
And while she notes nightclubs and party scenes, George feels there is a need for spaces where people don’t need the pressure to put on their best clothes just to interact. However, she still thinks that the energy created needs to be intentional.
“I’m huge on energy. I wanted something that felt like our home kitchen vibe,” said the food enthusiast, pointing back to her practically nightly ritual between her and her husband.
While in their home kitchen, Bria developed new dishes as Matt mixed songs that resonated with the mood. And the mood might change with each bite Bria takes. That is where the interplay of food and music shines through.
She details the ritual, saying, “I literally test out the dishes while dancing. When I’m eating and moving simultaneously, the music has to match that vibe.”
This new experience is also a nod to Bria’s past. Her father was an executive chef for over 30 years, and she credits her grandmother as perfecting the craft of traditional Black Southern-style cooking. Every single dish guests will have a chance to taste was made with intention.
“You can’t cut corners,” she said. “It’s about love, patience, and tradition.” And though the dishes guests will taste are “Americana with a twist,” they’ll feel all the care put into making it.
There’s no doubt that folks are intrigued by this experience, as Sound Bites is sold out. When asked what the future holds, Bria says, for now, she’s focused on creating a space where folks can just be themselves. However, that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t love to see a possible expansion.
“I just want people to be,” she said, saying the event is overall about the joy she hopes folks will experience.
To keep up with Bria and her latest food creations, you can find her on Instagram at @biyasbites.
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