Reimagining an American Classic: The WAWN Revolution
Chef Derrick Green isn't just a culinary innovator—he's a flavor architect who has fundamentally reimagined how we experience one of America's most beloved comfort foods. As the mastermind behind the nationally acclaimed Waffles and Whatnot (affectionately known as WAWN), Green has transformed waffles from a simple breakfast staple into sophisticated centerpieces for premium spirit pairings.
"Waffles have always been pigeonholed as a breakfast food with limited potential," Chef Green explains. "My mission has been to break those boundaries and showcase just how versatile and sophisticated the humble waffle can be when approached with creativity and precision."
From humble beginnings in Anchorage, Alaska, WAWN has quickly captured the imagination of food enthusiasts nationwide. What started as a local favorite has evolved into a rapidly expanding culinary brand, with new restaurant locations planned across major U.S. cities and Chef Green's proprietary waffle mix soon to hit grocery store shelves coast to coast.
The Art of Elevated Pairings
The cornerstone of Chef Green's innovation is his new WAWN Bites & Spirits Pairing Menu—a meticulously curated collection of bite-sized waffle creations, each thoughtfully matched with premium spirits ranging from bourbons and rums to fine wines and tequilas.
"What makes these pairings special is that we're not just serving waffles with drinks on the side," Chef Green notes. "We're engineering flavor profiles that create a dialogue between the food and beverage, where each enhances and reveals new dimensions in the other."
This approach represents a paradigm shift in the culinary application of waffles, bridging traditional soul food roots with contemporary gastronomic techniques. Each pairing tells a distinct story through flavor, texture, and presentation.
The WAWN Bites & Spirits Pairing Menu: A Guided Tour
Bourbon Pairings: Southern Comfort Elevated
Southern Bite pairs tender BBQ brisket atop a buttermilk waffle round with premium bourbon. The spirit's smoky-sweet depth mirrors the caramelized bark of the brisket, while subtle vanilla and oak notes elevate the barbecue glaze. Served warm and handheld, the bite is finished with crispy shallots and a bourbon-infused WAWN BBQ drizzle.
The Mama, one of WAWN's signature creations, features deep-fried chicken breast smothered in local honey, served atop a Unicorn Dream waffle. The accompanying bourbon reflects the honey's warmth while adding structure and depth to the overall experience.
Tequila Pairing: Coastal Inspiration
Mex Bite showcases grilled chili-lime shrimp paired with a cilantro cornmeal waffle shell, forming a taco-style bite filled with avocado crema and spicy mango salsa. The tequila's bright citrus and herbal profile cuts through the shrimp's zest, adding a festive, invigorating lift that transforms the experience.
"Tequila offers such a beautiful canvas for food pairing," says Green. "Its botanical qualities and brightness bring out the coastal flavors in a way that makes the entire bite feel like a celebration."
Wine Pairings: From Sea to Land
Chef Green's wine pairings demonstrate his versatility and deep understanding of flavor harmony:
A Bite from the Sea presents butter-poached Alaskan king crab medallions resting atop savory cornbread hush puppy waffle discs. The creamy, oaky Chardonnay enhances the crab's sweetness and luxurious texture, with a lemon beurre blanc drizzle providing the perfect finishing touch.
Crispy Duck Bite matches crispy duck breast with plum glaze on a rosemary maple-butter waffle wedge. Pinot Noir's earthy, light-bodied character complements the gamey richness of duck, while the plum glaze mirrors the wine's red fruit tones.
Lamb Chop Lollipop features lamb chops crusted with crushed mint waffle crumbs, paired with brown butter mushrooms and tahini drizzle. Malbec's deep fruit and bold tannins beautifully match the gaminess of the lamb and the herbaceous crust, with a Malbec demi-glace tying everything together.
Vodka and Clear Spirit Pairings: Clean Canvas
Alfredo Garlic Bite serves rich spinach Alfredo with rotisserie chicken on a garlic Parmesan buttermilk biscuit waffle. Clean, crisp vodka acts as a palate cleanser, taming the dish's richness while enhancing the garlic's brightness. It's served on a tasting spoon with shaved parmesan and chive oil.
"Vodka creates a clean canvas that allows the richness of the Alfredo and the savory notes of the garlic waffle to shine," Chef Green explains. "It's about balance and allowing each element to express itself fully."
Rum Pairings: Sweet Sophistication
Apple-Glazed Shrimp features caramelized apple-glazed shrimp atop cubed gourmet apple cinnamon waffle bites. The molasses and spice notes in quality dark rum enhance the glaze's richness and highlight the tropical shrimp profile, with candied jalapeños and a spiced rum syrup providing the finishing touches.
The Auntie combines WAWN's deep-fried chicken breast, maple syrup, and signature garlic macaroni and cheese on the Unicorn Dream waffle. Spiced rum brings warmth and roundness to the bold combination of sweet, creamy, and savory flavors, garnished with herbs and a maple drizzle for a rich, indulgent experience.
Sparkling Celebration
The BAYB, a southern classic featuring bite-sized fried chicken on a Unicorn Dream waffle with warm syrup drizzle, pairs perfectly with Prosecco. The wine's effervescence cuts through the crust and enhances the sweet-savory contrast, creating a nostalgic yet elegant pairing that celebrates comfort food in its most refined form.
Beyond the Restaurant: A National Culinary Brand
What truly sets Chef Green's approach apart is his vision for WAWN as more than just a restaurant concept. With locations expanding across major U.S. cities and his proprietary waffle mix soon hitting grocery shelves nationwide, Green is creating a culinary ecosystem that allows consumers to experience his innovative approach in multiple contexts.
"We're taking waffles to the next level," says Green. "These pairings let people experience familiar flavors in unexpected, elevated ways. And now, with the mix in stores, they can bring that experience home."
The retail expansion represents a significant milestone in Chef Green's mission to reinvent how Americans think about and experience waffles. The proprietary mix has been meticulously formulated to deliver restaurant-quality results in home kitchens, allowing consumers to recreate signature WAWN experiences with their own creative touches.
The Future of Elevated Comfort Food
As the food and beverage industry continues to evolve, Chef Derrick Green's innovative approach to waffles highlights a broader trend: the elevation of traditional comfort foods through sophisticated techniques and thoughtful pairings. By bridging accessibility with refinement, Green has created a culinary experience that appeals to both casual diners and serious gastronomes.
"Great food should be inclusive but never boring," Green emphasizes. "Our spirit pairings create an experience that's approachable enough for anyone to enjoy but complex enough to surprise even the most discerning palates."
This philosophy has positioned WAWN at the forefront of a culinary movement that celebrates American classics while pushing them into new, unexpected territory. As the brand continues to expand nationally, it stands as a testament to how innovation can transform even the most familiar foods into vehicles for culinary excitement and discovery.
For food and beverage professionals looking to follow in Chef Green's footsteps, his success offers valuable lessons in brand building, menu development, and the power of reimagining classics with a contemporary twist. The WAWN story demonstrates that with vision, creativity, and careful execution, even the most traditional offerings can be transformed into cutting-edge culinary experiences.
Whether you're planning a visit to a WAWN location, looking forward to experimenting with Chef Green's retail mix, or simply seeking inspiration for your own culinary ventures, the message is clear: the humble waffle has entered a new era of sophistication, and the possibilities are endless.
For details on restaurant openings, grocery distribution, or to book a private tasting, visit www.wafflesandwhatnot.com
Follow: @wafflesandwhatnot
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
