Sweet Grown Alabama Blogs

You can't eat Alabama without Sweet Grown Alabama products, and the dynamic duo behind the popular social media account "Eating Alabama" understand that and love local products. That's why we're excited to welcome Nick and Jenny Nicholson to the team of 2026 Sweet Grown Alabama Ambassadors. As ambassadors, they'll join five other social media personalities to help spotlight local this year. Keep reading to meet Nick and Jenny in their own words and follow along with their journey. 

1) Who are Nick and Jenny Nicholson? 

We’re Nick and Jenny Nicholson — rooted in Alabama and inspired by the people who feed our communities. Based in Hoover, we’re parents to three and grandparents to two (with one more on the way), and family is at the heart of everything we do. Nick is an Alabama native, while Jenny’s journey led from living overseas to Samford University and ultimately home to Alabama. Our platform celebrates Alabama’s restaurants, farmers, and producers through thoughtful storytelling and visual content, with select travels across the South that reflect the same values. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and the Eating Alabama Podcast.

2) How did you begin your social media/influencer journey? Can you tell us more about the podcast?

Our journey began in 2017 with a simple love for local food. While our
daughters traveled for softball, we sought out hometown restaurants along the way, sharing our finds with friends and family on social media. What started casually grew into Eating Alabama — a platform that expanded organically across channels, rooted in authentic storytelling and community.

From the start, Nick envisioned a podcast inspired by the storytelling of Anthony Bourdain, SFA’s Gravy Podcast, John T. Edge, and Chris Roberts of The 9 Club. Drawn to the stories, history, and journeys of chefs, the podcast became a natural extension of the brand. As we head into 2026, we’re excited to return with new episodes that dive deeper into the people behind Alabama’s food scene.

3) What are your all-time favorite meals?

Nick has a lifelong love for barbecue. Growing up on Bob Sykes BBQ, it
was the first food he truly fell in love with — and that passion still drives him today. He’s always seeking out small-town BBQ spots, knowing that no two are ever the same and that the magic is in what makes each one special.

Jenny, who is half Chinese, is drawn to the comfort of the flavors she grew up with. She gravitates toward foods that feel like home — bao,
dumplings, noodle bowls, congee, and curry — dishes rooted in memory, tradition, and warmth.

4) What drives y'all to promote your community and local products?

We believe in the power of thoughtful storytelling and beautiful visuals — in communicating what makes a restaurant or product truly special.

Community and connection are what draw people in and encourage them to experience all that Alabama has to offer.

Alabama is home to incredibly talented chefs, dedicated farmers, skilled artisans, and standout food producers. Their passion and hard work deserve to be seen, celebrated, and shared.

5) Where are your favorite spots in Alabama?

Oh wow - this is going to be a hard one to answer! Our favorite spots in Alabama are Bob Sykes in Bessemer, Irritable Bao in Auburn, Little Bird in Fairhope, KBC in Dothan, Bayonet in Birmingham, Newbern’s in Florence, Lannie’s BBQ in Selma, Alabama Rib Shack in Gainesville, La Fresca in Birmingham, Central in Montgomery - we could literally go on and on but these are a few of our favorites.

6) If y'all had to pick one of the following to keep, which would you choose and why? Local blueberries, local sweet corn or local mushrooms?

Hands down, Nick’s pick is mushrooms — all kinds, without exception.
He’s especially drawn to locally foraged varieties and is eager to keep
learning more about foraging and seasonality. You’ll almost always find him seeking out mushrooms at local markets, and he’s a proud supporter of Magic City Mushrooms.

Jenny’s pick is blueberries. She and her granddaughters love them so
much that a container rarely lasts long — usually eaten fresh, straight from the box. They almost never make it into a baked dish before they’re gone.

Make sure to follow Eating Alabama on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube to see all their posts highlighting Sweet Grown Alabama products in 2026!