Eatdrink #80 November/December 2019 - The Holiday Issue

6 | November/December 2019
Publisher’s Notes
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Eatdrink and Be Very Merry
Holiday Issue Highlights
By CHRIS McDONELL
I
well remember a more youthful and
innocent excitement about the holiday
season, thumbing through the Sears
Christmas catalogue for inspiration and
details on the latest toys and games. When
did the emphasis change from “getting” to
“giving”? No doubt that was a process that
unfolded over time, but that brought its own
joys and excited feelings of anticipation.
Instead of a list with just my name on it,
the task was to figure out the best idea for
Mom, Dad, and six siblings. It was a good
day indeed when each was taken care of
and stroked off the list. Even better was
the moment of placing them, carefully
gift-wrapped (maybe in a box to
disguise any hint of the contents),
under the family Christmas tree.
There is a similar feeling putting
out the Eatdrink Holiday Issue.
We’ve been thinking about this
for awhile. This is an important
event on our calendar, and that
really needs no explanation.
Our advertisers are keen to get their message
out, and readers are keen to hear it. For many
businesses, this is the most critical time
of year for revenue generation. For many
consumers, there is a presumption that they
will be spending more than usual. While that
is undoubtedly a stress for some, we hope that
expectation comes with an understanding
that this can be — should be — a lifeaffirming
activity that enhances warm
feelings of family and community. We want
to be making wise choices, mixed with letting
loose with silly fun or indulgences that bring
extra joy to life. Being a bridge between our
advertisers and our readers is the rationale for
the business side of our magazine’s existence.
Doing that with integrity, creativity, and
gratitude is what makes this work satisfying.
I always enjoy assembling our annual
gift guide. What an eclectic collection of
ideas! There is literally something there for
everyone, but dare I say that what I love most
about this is the spur this gives me to be
creative in my gift giving? Thank you to all of
our contributors.
London’s new restaurant Grace opened
earlier this year amidst extensive construction
in Downtown London. Executive Chef Angela
Murphy and her talented team have handled
this with ... you know ... grace. In fact,
they’re overcoming more than roadwork
barriers and inconveniences that won’t be
fully over for another few weeks. Read
Bryan Lavery’s story about how there is
much more than meets the eye going
on at Grace, but what is visible is
equally inspiring.
We’ve been almost overwhelmed
with the positive reaction we got
when we opened up Eatdrink’s
annual Local Flavour Culinary
Guide to most of Southwest
Ontario. I’ve provided a sneak
peek into what that’s going to
be, and the journey this has been, as we look
forward to the birth of our new publication
in a few short weeks. We’re looking forward
to distributing what will be more like a book
than a magazine.
Choosing to go another route than “holiday
suggestions,” our beer and wine writers address
an approach to imbibing choices more than
specifics (although the latter are there too). In
short: Buy local. Make VQA wines and local
craft beers part of your seasonal celebrations!
You’ll find plenty of other holiday ideas
in the rest of the magazine, including an
expanded BUZZ column full of exciting news
and opportunities. We hope that everyone will
connect with the holiday spirit we’re feeling
here, and finish 2019 enjoying life’s blessings.
Peace,