One of my favorite things about publishing Edible Monterey Bay is all the opportunities it provides me to get out and explore our beautiful tri-county region.
It’s easy for me to become a homebody living up in the Soquel Hills, but there are meetings to attend in Monterey, wine to pick up in Hollister, magazine deliveries to make in Carmel, events to go to in Big Sur, restaurants to try in Capitola and sometimes—if I’m lucky—a photo shoot up on the North Coast.
I hope this issue inspires our readers to get out of their comfort zones and explore some of the lesser-known corners of the Monterey Bay area.
Spring is the perfect time for it, while the hills are still emerald green from the rains and the wildflowers start popping. I can’t wait to see the purple lupine along Highway 68 on the way to Salinas!
In this issue, two new advertising partners join us, encouraging you to do just that. Visit San Benito County tempts us with horses and its cowboy heritage, while Salinas City Center offers a handy pull-out guide to the restaurants, bars, bakeries and coffee shops creating a new liveliness in its downtown.
They join ongoing tourism partners like Capitola Village, Spirit of San Juan Bautista and Hollister Downtown Association—all looking forward to your visit this spring.
Also new in this issue, we welcome longtime contributor Mark C. Anderson as managing editor. This means he’s been collaborating closely with our talented team of writers and photographers, preparing a feast of fascinating stories and gorgeous images for you to savor.
We introduce you to some of the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes in the Santa Cruz restaurant trade, a farmers market chef, a food truck entrepreneur and a family that is trying to carry on with their churro business despite a tragic loss.
We also have springtime recipes with new twists on familiar flavors like grilled artichokes and crunchy granola, as well as tips on how to use the more exotic flavor of tamarind.
Eat, drink, think and explore with us.
Deborah Luhrman
Publisher
About the author
Deborah Luhrman is publisher and editor of Edible Monterey Bay. A lifelong journalist, she has reported from around the globe, but now prefers covering our flourishing local food scene and growing her own vegetables in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
