Editor's Letter

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Dear Readers,

Welcome to the grilling season! This edition of FLAVOR celebrates that primal joy of cooking outside and enjoying Idaho’s unique summertime culinary indulgences. Who better to shepherd our long days and warm nights issue than Food Network's witty star, Mark Anderson, of The Grill Dads?

Mark and his partner Ryan Fey's bold bet on themselves earned them a new career path. He also shares a fabulous recipe from his cookbook, "The Best Grilling Cookbook Ever Written By Two Idiots." Follow his lead and you will become a barbecue rockstar without looking like an idiot.

One of our favorite radio tune-ins is James Beard award-winning journalist, Kathy Gunst, on NPR’s daily show, Here & Now. Gunst graciously shared her perfect summer salad recipe from Maine to accompany The Grill Dad's delicious steak recipe, so you look like a champ serving an ideal patio meal.

Summer in Boise and the Treasure Valley is a vibrant mix of late-night eats and homegrown breweries where extraordinary pop-up events, comedy and trivia competitions thrive. Our Man Eats Boise columnist, Harrison Berry, takes us on his curated guide to late-night eats. Also in this issue, an extraordinary barbecue secret is spotlighted by Bonnie Alexander, who talks to rising star Chef Kris Ott at the Chop Shop. Alexander also discovers how craft ice cream is beautifully wrought by The Stil, where everyone can get a frozen delight even with dietary restrictions. Their modern take on the ubiquitous American ice cream shop is a welcome respite all year round. For a vacation getaway, April Whitney takes us to magical McCall and a hotel with a superstar chef, while Dana DuGan shines a light on the lesser-known eateries of Stanley, where the food is as stunning as the Sawtooth scenery.

Yes, the heat can get intense, but there are glorious cocktails to make the hours happy. Since 2017, July has been celebrating Idaho Spirits Month with ticketed events like SIP Idaho. Find your unique cocktails as Idaho distilleries show off their latest and greatest new varietals. From the gleaming Bardenay distilleries throughout the state to 44 North Vodka's new Hagerman Watermelon vodka, to Post Falls’ Up North distillery and Driggs’ rising star, Grand Teton—it’s clear that Idaho is now a serious contender in the distilled spirits game. Drink up!

Pamela Thompson profiles Micah Waltz, executive chef at Eagle’s Crave Kitchen + Bar. For the cover story, she also takes us through three local award-winning restaurants, Sa-Wad-Dee, Taste and Rice, owned by restaurateur Toffee Dullaphan, where Asian food soars to new heights. Consider this summer issue of FLAVOR your delicious survival guide for the best eats and drinks in the Treasure Valley and beyond. Then, please find us on Instagram, chat with us, and see what's cooking daily on Twitter and Facebook. Get and give this issue for the irresistible recipes that will become treasured favorites, and see where the best new restaurants and chefs are wielding their magic.

In good taste,

April Neale