The authors behind My Baby Momma Can’t Cook Book dish on exes, eats and everything in between.
Cooking with your ex—what could possibly go wrong? For Wilmington author Tasha Johnson and her former partner Chef Hot—aka Atlanta chef Hollis Favors—the answer is surprisingly little.
What began as an inside joke seven years ago is now My Baby Momma Can’t CookBook, a collab blending Southern soul food, family lore and a healthy dose of personality. From NC comfort dishes to ATL-style bites, the new cookbook brings two sides of Southern cuisine to the table.
While Johnson and Chef Hot are no longer romantic partners, they share two things: a daughter and a commitment to their friendship. More than a collection of recipes, the cookbook is a reflection of that relationship—one that keeps their family coming back for seconds.
But their best recipe for success? Learning to team up, put their daughter first and prove you don’t need a shared kitchen—or a shared home—to make co-parenting work. We tap the duo for intel on the lore, regional favorites and the secret ingredient for a solid partnership.
Dish the lore behind the Chef Hot nickname?
Chef Hot: I’ve been cooking for God knows how long. I started when I was 11 or 12, and when I first became a chef, I burned myself a lot. So I decided to get a big tattoo over one of my biggest burns with the word ‘HOT.’ I just started calling myself that and it went along with me being a chef.
What does each of you bring to the table?
Tasha Johnson: He says I can’t cook—but I have a passion. His presentation is better, but I love to write, so that’s where it came together. He does ultimately cook better than I do.
On the menu?
CH: Coming from my end, it’s more bar food. It’s Southern. You deal with soul food—barbecue ribs, chicken wings, things of that nature. Everybody here cooks a certain way. Mainly quick bites, like appetizers.
TJ: Even though we’re both Southern, it’s two different styles of Southern. In NC, we do more of the baked dishes: mac and cheese, lasagna, collard greens, cornbread—more family-style.
NC fave?
TJ: Mac and cheese. I have to double down on that.
ATL standout?
CH: My lemon pepper and Buffalo hot wings—Atlanta’s finest.
Secret ingredient to a solid partnership?
TJ: The key takeaway for me is, at the end of the day, we still have to parent our child. And it’s so much easier when you can get along.
CH: Our common denominator would be our daughter. We never stepped on each other’s toes in any way because I was always there—as the father should be. And that built our relationship to the point where we became friends. Having that bond when we decided to write the book made it even easier.
So… can Baby Momma cook now?
TJ: I’m now able to cook in sizes I need—not overcook or undercook, and not overseason or use a seasoning I might not need.
CH: ‘Why are you putting that on that chicken?’
TJ: That’s been it from day one. He has definitely taught me to pay more attention to those things.
*Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Social media’s latest fitness craze promises big results in under 10 minutes—but does it pass the vibe check?
Are vibration plates actually worth the (literal) buzz? If your social feed has suddenly become inundated with influencers vibrating through their morning coffee, you aren’t alone.
Whole-body vibration plates are back, with proponents touting potential benefits from improved bone health and cognitive function to muscle activation, toning and lymphatic drainage—all in just 10 minutes a day. But effortless exercise? That’s a tough sell.
LifePro
Like most viral wellness crazes, these plates are nothing new. They first gained popularity after popping up in gyms decades ago before social media gave them a second life. Some users swear by the recovery benefits; others treat them as a waist-trimming tactic.
Here’s how it works: A motorized platform vibrates rapidly while you stand, squat or stretch on top, forcing your muscles into rapid-fire contractions as your body works to stay stable.
Local gyms and health houses like Planet Fitness and Blue Water Spa have incorporated vibration-based therapies into their wellness offerings as more of a supplement than a shortcut.
And that distinction matters. “Vibrating plates, even professional-level devices, will have minimal effect on the lymphatic system,” says BWS’ Kile Law, noting that the spa instead incorporates them with other wellness services. “It’s important that people don’t expect dramatic or transformative results from vibrating plate therapy as a stand-alone treatment.”
That doesn’t mean they’re all shake and no substance. Catching the vibe may improve muscle activation, balance and stability; reduce post-workout soreness; and even help ease you back into movement after injury—but it’s more a sidekick than a shortcut.
Because, spoiler alert: There’s no such thing as standing still and sculpting a six-pack—and research doesn’t support these plates as magic weight-loss tools. That said, studies do suggest some benefits when paired with regular exercise.
No matter which way you lean, vibration plates’ biggest win is simpler than any viral claim: They offer an approachable way to move your body—even on days when motivation is running low. So if a 10-minute jiggle gets you off the couch and into a routine, that alone is worth shaking things up for.
Your truckchase ends here. Word on the street: More and more mobile eateries are hitting the brakes and putting it in park permanently, giving hungry Raleighites one less thing to track down. From breakfast burritos to Caribbean cuisine, here are five locked-in food trucks worth rollin’ out to.
Gym Tacos
Dampf Good BBQ Smoke ’em if you got ’em! Missouri- and Texas-bred pitmasters Nick and Bryce Dampf have made quite the name for themselves—earning Dampf a nod on the 2025 Michelin Guide American South. The joint is best known for its bacon brisket, ribs, housemade sauces and slew of classic Southern sides. And, yes, those racks are worth writing home about. 6800 Good Hope Church Road, Cary, @dampfgoodbbq
Gym Tacos “Come work out with us”—and by that they mean work a bunch of authentic Mexican street food into your mouth. The can’t-miss bright-orange taqueria has earned local fame for its handmade corn tortillas, sopes, tortas, tostadas and tacos (natch) covering all your Mexican-food moods. Taco ’bout gains (!). 1942 Wake Forest Road, @gymtacos
Island Bodega Take yourself to paradise—no plane ticket required. Part Tri-State deli, part Caribbean street food oasis, this Trinidadian truck stop is the place to be every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with chef Semion Spencer delivering bold, eclectic dishes like jerk and curry chicken nachos, wraps, and authentic chopped cheese. A little Jersey, a little island and a little Raleigh? It’s a shore thing. 815 E. Whitaker Mill Road, @island__bodega
Taqueria La Sabrosita Sushi tacos? Say less. While other taco joints chase trends, La Sabrosita sticks to authentic Mexican classics. Whether you’re going for the chile relleno, quesabirria, empanadas or tostadas, you’ll be able to taste the scratchmade difference from the very first bite. 6533 Glenwood Ave., @taqueria_lasabrosita
Mr. Burro Taking brekky to next-level, Sarah Frey’s here-to-stay truck deserves to be part of your daily morning routine, with breakfast quesadillas, tacos, burritos and homemade sauces (strongly encouraged) all on tap. Wash it all down with a coffee for an extra boost. 909 Rock Quarry Road, @mrburroraleigh
Raleigh’s arts scene is heating up. A diverse cast of theater productions, exhibits, ballet and opera performances, and so much more are set to steal the scene—and up the drama across multiple genres and stages. Consider this your ultimate culture guide to it all.
Full steam ahead! Once home to a fire department, police station, town court, jail and library—all simultaneously (!)—the century-old landmark is accustomed to wearing many hats, now supporting multiple local businesses. Where food hall meets strip mall, the three-story spot recently transformed into a multitenant space—and it’s definitely on the right track. Start the day with breakfast at Rock & Roll Cafe, browse record stores and beauty shops, take an art class, then head to Crescendo for dinner. The building’s new act is its liveliest yet—with the cinnamon rolls alone worth climbing aboard for. Next stop: East Second Street.
Wake up and smell the coffee. Brews and community are in full bloom at this local microroastery in the heart of historic downtown. With beans from coffee-growing regions across Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and beyond, the shop is committed to sourcing products that are both organic and Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance Certified—all in support of the environment and farmers who make our quiet mornings possible. A vibrant, full-scale exterior mural bursting with birds and florals turns heads before you step through the door, while matcha, specialty lattes and robust pours keep you lingering. Whether you’re dropping in for quick coffee and convo or staying for local baked goods and seasonal sips, locals and visitors alike have plenty of ~grounds~ for gathering.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. Bull City’s new entertainment hub is bringing 90K square feet of high-speed fun to the Triangle. The indoor megaplex is packed with climate-controlled electric Superkart courses, a two-story laser tag arena, and Hyperdeck and Hologate virtual reality experiences built for friendly competition—plus a mix of over 150 retro and current arcade games. When it comes time to refuel, Andretti ditches regular concession fare for habanero bacon jam burgers, loaded nachos and chorizo avocado flatbreads—with a full-service bar to boot. Even better? Every lap supports colorectal cancer prevention through the CheckIt4Andretti Foundation, giving playtime a purpose. In it to win it, indeed.
Photo courtesy of Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Durham
Here’s the scoop: The best gelato outside Italy is hiding right in Raleigh’s backyard—and it’s about time you sampled. Husband-and-wife duo Warwick Sheehan and Diana Diaz launched the creamery in 2022 after researching gelato across the country and honing their craft at the famed Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna. The result? National acclaim for a commitment to Italian tradition and use of local flavors, from Homeland Creamery dairy to seasonal fruit from the State Farmers Market. Mainstay flavors like stracciatella and sweet cream are go-tos, while rotating weekly specials such as matcha coconut and labneh Meyer lemon up the wow factor—and for those who are dairy-free, a refreshing lineup of sorbets scratch the itch. The cherry on top? A signature waffle wafer for that extra crunch. Buonissimo!
Bookworms—start digging. After more than a decade of dreaming, former SAS leader Marcie Montague has begun a new chapter downtown—one that brings, well, beautiful things to the city. Named after one of Shakespeare’s greatest—yes, that Juliet—the independent bookstore’s shelves are stocked with bestsellers, staff picks, children’s classics and thoughtful knickknacks showcasing local creatives. And the literary therapy doesn’t stop there. Among Montague’s hopes for the book nook’s future are book clubs, author events, beer and wine service, story times with her dog Maisy—and ultimately giving Cary the happy ending it deserves.
