At last! Summer has finally arrived in Ontario.
As excited as we are about that, we are even more excited to share with you a new look and feel for Food & Drink. You’ve likely already noticed a new logo and photography style on the cover, as well as new paper— but it’s what’s inside that we hope will continue to inspire and guide you, whether you’ve been entertaining for years or are just dipping your toes into hosting friends and family. Our new approach is less about the formality of entertaining ( though there will still be moments for that) and more about the spontaneity of getting together with friends— offering tips, information, recommendations and recipes so that you can feel confident in making each occasion your own.
Sharing great recipes that you can recreate at home is still our pledge to you, but we’re thinking beyond a single menu. For example, in “One x Three” on page 82 we offer four mouth-watering main courses for backyard BBQs but we’ve deliberately scaled the recipes to give you plenty of leftovers that you can extend into easy weeknight suppers. We also know that not everyone has the same budget when it’s their turn to host, so in “Saturday Suppers” on page 117 we offer two takes on a Surf ’n’ Turf feast ( including wine)— one if you want to splurge and another that is easier on the pocketbook but no less delicious.
Making things easier is a big part of what we want to offer our readers, whether it be building simple recipes ( like threeingredient beer cocktails in “Beer Tales” on page 121) or including a prep schedule in “Firing up Brunch” on page 102. We’ve also curated a drinks guide on page 51 that we hope you will turn to again and again this summer— it’s full of no- fail suggestions for crowd- pleasing wines, host gifts perfectly suited to the season, an alcohol- free bubbly bar and heaps of other practical advice.
Perhaps what we are most excited about is our commitment to showcasing the best of Ontario. In addition to highlighting ingredients that are in season, we will be sharing the hidden gems and untold stories of the people, places and things that make this prov ince the treasure- trove of discoveries that it is. For this issue in particular, we are shining a spotlight on fresh local perch (and three renowned restaurants) in “Perch Please” on page 61, and a handful of the amazing must- stop food trucks dotted around the province ( starting on page 133)— especially useful as you plan your summer road trips!
We hope you enjoy this issue and our new approach, and we look forward to hearing what you think. Have a great summer!