Milestones

If, six months ago, someone had told me I’d soon be the publisher of an international food magazine with readers from over seventy countries around the globe, and subscribers from the most prestigious sectors of the food industry, I probably would have given them one of my classic “Jennifer” looks.  Nothing could have been further from my mind.

And yet, here I am.  And here we are.  What a magnificent adventure this has turned out to be.

When this site was just a small collection of my personal food musings, I recounted how it fulfilled my soul in a profound way to connect with those who shared my passion for gastronomy.  The incredible people you now see on this site’s masthead are a testament to that; each month, as a group, we approach the task at hand with an ebullience of spirit and a desire to outdo ourselves.

The level of our intensity is such that we have been able to put out a passionate, high-quality product — and yet we have never even met face-to-face.  The only person I know in three dimensions is my dear friend and new contributor, Jason Dixon.

I’ve known Chef Donna for more than four years, and we have discussed nearly every aspect of our lives and careers — yet she and I have yet to sit down for a glass of champagne.  When we talk about recipes over the phone, the rest of the world disappears as we discuss flavor platforms and aromas. Her culinary talent makes me grateful every day for the work she does.

Kelly and I brainstorm about the look and feel for photographic images each month, and it is like an electrical storm of aesthetic expression.  She knows exactly what I’m looking for every time, and given the kind of feedback we have received about her photography, it is easy to see that she is a superstar in the making.

I approached Alder on a lark, and I’m so glad I did, because his wine writing is so refreshing and different that I am honored to showcase it here each month.  With the exception of a few writers, there was little in wine writing that I found interesting — now, as soon as Alder’s monthly article arrives in my inbox, I am eager to tear it open; he has just the right amount of sass to make it fun for me.  He, too, is a star on the rise.

In Gina Gallo I have found a kindred spirit who is eager to express her love for wine, and her desire to make it accessible without the snobbery and rules that can intimidate the novice.  Her approach is one from the soul, where the palate serves as a guide.

It is our intensity of love for cuisine and wine that has brought us all together.  That these talented gourmands have chosen Gastronomic Meditations™ as a venue to showcase their work is an honor and a pleasure for me, and I am grateful for every ounce of effort they put into it.

Our mission is to be the greatest stop on the internet where one can celebrate the sensual pleasures of food, and there is a great deal on the horizon.  We will roll things out a bit at a time so we can manage the growth, but we are very excited about the things to come.

For this month, here is what’s new: