Food For The Soul

If you’re reading this, congratulations!

You’ve made it three-quarters of the way through 2020 – and what a long, strange ride it’s been. In case you need a distraction from what’s going on in the world, I have the perfect solution: The Boca Raton Observer’s October Food & Drink Issue. This is always a lot of fun to put together, and I think it’s just as great to read, brimming with recipes, tasty trends, new restaurants, celebrity foodies and much more. Grab a snack and a drink, and dive in! I certainly know how alcohol has gotten many of us through these times. We’ve redefined day drinking! 

First, we were thrilled to sit down with celebrity chef, TV personality and restaurateur Giada De Laurentiis. In “Ciao Bella!” (page 62), the newly turned 50-year-old discusses how she’s spending time in quarantine, what she’s cooking this fall and what’s coming next for her restaurant group. Don’t miss it.

Then, we take a closer look at the world of South Florida food trucks. Although mobile restaurants aren’t anything new, some are kicking things up a notch with chef-driven menus and top-quality ingredients. Whether you like fresh Maine lobster, Cuban-Mexican fusion or the most authentic gyro ever, you’ll want to check out “Gourmet To Go” (page 68).

Next, it felt like catching up with an old friend as we chatted with Valerie Bertinelli in “One Bite At A Time” (page 74). You might be surprised that the actress and Food Network star, who just turned 60, has been cooking longer than she’s been acting – and she’s been acting for 50 years. She opened up about what she’s working on now and what hard-won wisdom she’s learned throughout the years.

Finally, we knead to address a trend we’re seeing everywhere: amateur breadmaking. In “On The Rise” (page 80), we explore the roots and appeal of this phenomenon, which started with the lockdowns and is still going strong. Are people making bread for comfort? Out of boredom? Due to hunger? The answer is complex and quite compelling.

While most of us are doing the responsible thing by staying home and social distancing these days, we cannot forget that many area charities host important fundraisers this time of year. Most are going virtual, and they need your support more than ever. This month, we’re honored to once again serve as the exclusive magazine sponsor of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation’s 2020 Go Pink – The Power of Go Pink, the JAFCO In My Shoes Luncheon and the Levis JCC Special Night For Special Needs. You’ll find details on these events throughout the magazine, and I urge you to please contribute what you can to these vital causes.

As always, I hope you are yours are staying safe and healthy during these uncertain times.

See you next month,

Linda L. Behmoiras 

linda@bocaratonobserver.com