“When you invite someone to sit at your table and you want to cook for them, you’re inviting a person into your life.” — Maya Angelou

When you grow up with an Italian mother, you can’t help but develop a love for cooking.

You know how to make the perfect “gravy.” Christmas Eves are marked by the feast of the seven fishes. And nothing tastes better than left-over Galamad with crispy bread to soak up the broth.

You learn the extraordinary power of food and how it brings us all together, whether it’s a celebration with family, an intimate dinner with your significant other or some pizza with friends.

Over the years, you develop your own repertoire. You learn, for example, that adding a little bit of water to your broccoletti helps it saute seamlessly with the garlic and crushed red pepper. You know fresh basil and a bay leaf are the secret to just about any dish. And you recognize that no matter how hard you try, you can still can’t beat Mom’s lasagna.

Indeed, food holds a special place in our hearts. That’s why we’re introducing our second bonus magazine of the year, Food & Drink.

Several months ago, in May, we debuted our first bonus magazine dedicated to another universal topic that shapes our lives — travel. Many of you entered our contest to win a trip to Hawaii. You immersed yourself in our special digital presentation. You may have even taken the time to share your thoughts with us.

“Your Sunday travel supplement magazine is like eye candy sprinkled with sugar,” one person wrote. “I’ve been to a few of the places shown, but not all of them. And the ones I have been to I want to go back to — especially after seeing the glorious write-ups.”

Like a great meal, this one promises to be even more memorable. Today, we shine a spotlight on the people, places and dishes that make dining in metro Atlanta so special.

For that, we can thank folks such as Will Harris of White Oak Pastures in Clay County. Harris, you see, has become a nationally recognized model for sustainable farming. In this issue, we’ll provide a deeply personal look at what makes him such a pioneer.

We’ll also share some of our favorite recipes. And our insider tips will help you survive — and thrive — this holiday season.

Regardless of our experience, all of us can use a helping hand every now and then.

Ever wonder how to bring stale bread back to life? Or easily peel garlic or chop cherry tomatoes? Or soak up all of that salt that accidentally found its way into your home-made soup? Don’t miss our special six-page pullout. In this handy, how-to guide, you’ll find the answers to these burning questions and more.

But our magazine is about so much more than cooking. It’s also about dining out.

Join us for a tour of the some of the tastiest places in the country — from the simplest barbecue joint to heavenly five star hideaways. Closer to home, we’ll share some of metro Atlanta’s favorite local dishes.

Of course, no meal is complete without the perfect drink. We’ll walk you through a range of classical beer styles and take a closer look at 15 locally brewed beers. We’ll review some classic, essential cocktails. And our wine guide will help ensure that your cellar (whether that’s a countertop wine rack, a closet shelf or an actual cellar) is properly stocked for the entertaining season.

There’s a lot to devour in this issue.

As Mom would say, “Buon appetito!”
— Mark Waligore, Managing Editor