ARE YOU A FOODIE?

People say things like, “He is such a foodie.”

Are you a foodie?

I didn’t really pay attention to the word until we took a trip with our daughter Sierra and future son-in-law, Jon. Jon had already picked out the places he had to eat while on this weekend getaway. He read reviews on TripAdvisor and other websites and knew exactly where to go.

I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about some of the places he had us visit. Our first lunch was at a corner gas station/auto repair shop that had been remodeled…a little. Ha-ha. Because there was no seating, we dined on the curbside of what used to be gas pumps. I say first lunch because hanging out with Jon meant we ate every two to two and a half hours. And the food was DELICIOUS!

The grilled corn with Mexican seasonings and butter was to die for. Shrimp Po Boy Cajun style woke up every taste bud I had. The entire trip was full of tastebud adventures. We had the best hogfish tacos at a local hole in the wall. We also enjoyed a wonderful organic breakfast of fresh field greens and poached eggs at a small café. And the list could go on and on.

Although I failed to stick to my meal plan faithfully, I learned a great deal about food during the trip.

I finally understand what a foodie is and I know we all can be one! At first, you think it’s about being a pig and eating tons of junk and gaining weight, but that’s not it. It’s knowing how good food can taste and accepting nothing less than foods that have the most potential to create great dining experiences. A foodie is looking for meals with great flavors and textures, allowing you to have more fun with your food. This month we embraced the importance of food in our lives and dedicated the entire issue to helping you become your own foodie!

You won’t see any of our usual departments and sections, but they will all return next month. We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we did putting it together. We want to incorporate your favorite recipes in our upcoming issues. If you have a special recipe you love, then please send it to us. We would be extremelyyppappreciative!

KENDRA AKERS publisher/editor-in-chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com

DOUG AKERS vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com

JAMIE EZRA MARK chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com

SABRINA CICERI associate publisher sabrina@akersmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL // DESIGN // PHOTOGRAPHY

JAMES COMBS staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com

JOHN SOTOMAYOR staff writer john@akersmediagroup.com

LEIGH NEELY staff writer/copy editor leigh@akersmediagroup.com

MICHELLE CLARK staff writer michelle@akersmediagroup.com

FRED LOPEZ chief photographer fred@akersmediagroup.com

JOE DELEON creative director joe@akersmediagroup.com

STEVEN J. CODRARO senior art director steve@akersmediagroup.com

JOSH CLARK senior designer josh@akersmediagroup.com

MICHAEL GAULIN production director michael@akersmediagroup.com

SALES // MARKETING

TIM MCRAE vice president of sales and marketing tim@akersmediagroup.com

MIKE STEGALL senior account representative mike@akersmediagroup.com

MELANIE MELVIN director of client services melanie@akerscreative.com

DEB MATLOCK account coordinator deb@akerscreative.com

HEIDI RESSLER account representative heidi@akersmediagroup.com

LYNNE KELLEY account representative lynne@akersmediagroup.com

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AUBREY AKERS office assistant aubrey@akersmediagroup.com

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DISTRIBUTION

SCOTT HEGG distribution manager scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com

Sabrina Ciceri Associate Publisher Sabrina@akersmediagroup.com