Editor's Letter: Winter 2017
Fire. It’s what makes cooking possible. The root of gatherings, the bedrock of the hearth, the light-drenched phenomenon that brings people together, whether in celebration or crisis. Fire heals, and is a symbol of transformation and possibility. To usher in a new year, to truly bid farewell to 2017 and call on the muses to inspire another year of delicious issues for you, we called on fire for this issue.
And as we did, we started to look into the origins of things, like the process of raising organic grain and how grains are fundamental to civilization, or the Paleo diet that is becoming a choice for many for better health or our feature story on the wood-fired cooking craze and how it calls on primal skills and a love for heat.
Our winter issue also shares stories of local heroes making a difference in our communities through food and farming. We’re honored to share the work of OSU professor Erin Lin in this issue, whose research looks at unexploded bombs left after the Vietnam War in Cambodia and the impact they have on farming communities. Chef and owner of Lavash Café, Nasir Latif, is one of my favorite hosts in the city, always welcoming me and my friends to a table full of bright, lemon-drenched Mediterranean cuisine to cure our woes from the day with food that brings us back to what it means to be human—kindness. That ethos extends to Yellow Springs, with our feature about The Winds Café chef, Mary Kay Smith, and their 40th anniversary. The Winds is a place to commune. If you’ve never been, go, no matter the snow.
Winter root recipes for a holiday or home dinner will get you through the season along with wildcrafted cocktails to inspire your spiritful side. And when you’re feeling blue and cool, head down to The Roosevelt Coffeehouse and find founder Kenny Sipes. He’ll warm you up with his sweet face and compelling case for how coffee can help bring clean water, food and freedom to the people.
I want to end the year with gratitude for the Edible Communities family of publishers. Earlier this year, when Sonoma and Napa Valley were ravaged by wildfires, and Houston weathered Hurricane Harvey, emails buzzed back and forth with ECI publishers to make sure those affected were safe. It brought tears to my eyes to see firsthand just how committed we all are to each other and our mission to tell these stories even in times of crisis.
May you find gratitude this season, where your heart grows by virtue of giving. May you find a fireside to sit by, share stories over and warm your toes and soul. May you stay merry and bright.
Live Well, Eat Well, Love Well,
Colleen Leonardi
