In This Issue: Winter, 2018

Welcome to the 50th issue of what I hope is by now your favorite local food magazine! Even for me it is hard to believe that we’ve printed well over 300 stories about Northwest Michigan’s food and farming community in our pages over the years.

All those stories of growers, bakers, brewers, seed-savers, vintners, fishers, foragers, chefs, cheese makers, grocers and home cooks were meant to cheer on the entire local food scene, encouraging each of us to find our own ways to support and enjoy it. And with 49 issues behind us our mission (and passion) today remains the same: to sing the praises of the fascinating farmers, conscientious business people, delicious food and drink and panoramic countryside we are blessed with in this little corner of the world.

Two of the pieces in this issue celebrate the joy of food through creative imagery and serve as bookends to the rest of the stories inside. The first showcases the photography of area high school career tech students who joined our staff in a food-and-farm themed contest; the second states the case for food illustration that was the norm in earlier days, long before digital technologies engulfed our sense of food aesthetics.

Between these two tributes, to tempt and cheer you during the remaining days of our long and fickle winter season, are the stories of some local treats—brought together at the very “last bite” in a closing recipe perfect for Valentine’s Day or any other celebration on your calendar. I hope you enjoy these stories of some indulgence, and are able to do a little indulging in them yourself.

In each issue, the stories we share of local food producers and artisans are just a sample of the many fine folks doing similar great things throughout our region. To us at Edible Grande Traverse it adds up to a thriving food scene that brings us together at tables all across our communities. We know there are another 50 issues worth of mouthwatering tales to tell and it will be an honor and a pleasure to help bring them to life in the issues ahead.

Happy late winter!

Barb Tholin, Publisher