Linda L. Behmoiras
What’s for dinner? Let’s meet for a drink. Anyone want to order lunch?
No matter what else happens in our hectic daily lives, one thing is certain: We will inevitably talk about food. As Kurt Vonnegut once wrote: “You can’t just eat good food. You’ve got to talk about it too.” And anyone who knows me well can attest that food, drink and talking are all integral parts of my life.
Our team heartily agrees, so it’s no wonder that the October Food & Drink Issue is one of our favorites to create each year. We get to share the latest news on the culinary front – along with mouth-watering recipes and stories about culinary experts whose passion for food ignites our taste buds.
First, we have a heart-to-heart with Chef Aarón Sánchez, author, restaurateur and TV personality who strives to share the cuisine, culture and traditions of his Mexican heritage with the world. In “It’s A Flavorful Life” (page 60), Chef Sánchez divulges how his teen angst boiled over into rebellion and discusses the mentor who turned his life around and put him on the path to culinary greatness. Today, he’s paying it forward with scholarships for aspiring Latino chefs.
Next, be sure to check out “Eat, Drink And Be Local” (page 66). We examine the trend of hyper-local dining – when restaurants tend their own vegetable and herb gardens, create in-house ingredients and even craft their own brews. This DIY approach made the National Restaurant Association’s 2019 Hot Trends Top 10 List, and South Florida restaurants are happy to dish it out.
We think you’ll say cheers after reading “Apple Of Their Eye” (page 72), where you’ll meet three South Florida cider makers reimagining this traditional libation and making creative new flavors. With everything from Sweet Child of Rind (peach and mango) to Banana Hazelnut, they’ve fashioned hundreds of recipes that are definitely not your father’s cider.
Bravo’s “Top Chef” introduced viewers to Gail Simmons, a trained culinary expert, food writer and TV personality. We hope you learn as much as we did about the behind-the-scenes culinary world after reading her interview “In Good Taste” (page 78). She also shares her holiday entertaining tips and a to-die-for pasta recipe.
Finally, we bring to the table 50 of the people, places and eats that make our area culinary scene so delicious. You’ll want to dig into “The South Florida Foodie 50” (page 82) to learn all about the best restaurants, bars, dishes, chefs, mixologists, wine tastings, food tours and more in our corner of paradise.
Of course, season starts in full force in October with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a slew of charitable events that we are proud to sponsor. These must-attend functions include Impact 100 Palm Beach County Fall Wine and Lite Bites at Neiman Marcus Boca Raton on Oct. 16, the JAFCO In My Shoes Luncheon at Boca West Country Club on Oct. 17 and the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation Go Pink Luncheon on Oct. 18 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. I know the women of Boca are already planning their best outfits for these events. We hope to see you there!
Before season reaches a full boil, make your own recipe for relaxation – perhaps dining with friends, grabbing a drink with co-workers or preparing a favorite family recipe with loved ones. Whatever you choose, I say: Bon appétit, buen provecho and buon appetito!
Best,
Linda L. Behmoiras
linda@bocaratonobserver.com