PHOTO BY JORDAN HARTMAN
In my 15 years as publisher, I’ve witnessed so many positive changes in our unique North Texas food culture.
When we began, there were only a few farmers markets, and now our region supports more than 40. Also, more families are harvesting from backyard and community gardens, and school gardens are as common as playgrounds. This year, our local craft breweries and wineries are welcoming a record number of visitors.
In this issue, we spotlight the Triple N Ranch Winery and Vineyard, a multi-generational operation southeast of Dallas. Writer Terri Taylor and photographer Teresa Rafidi document this tale of a family’s passion for longhorns and Texas wine.
A related story, “A Fight for Texas Land,” details how a Cedar Creek Lake community fought to prevent a data center development just yards from the Triple N’s fence line. Rancher-winery owner Michelle Anderson and her neighbor, lawyer Ashley Cook, led the charge.
Writer/photographer Meda Kessler tours the Lettuce Shack, part of a Tarrant County nonprofit’s initiative to offer year-round produce to its clients via a hydroponic farm inside a customized shipping container. She also steps into the kitchen to visit Steve Hoogeboom, chef de cuisine at 61 Osteria in Fort Worth. There, he shares some of the dishes from what he likes to call his “chamber of secrets.”
For this issue’s recipes, Meda digs into the archives of the State Fair of Texas for ribbon-winning pumpkin dishes.
Thanks to the advertisers who’ve given us the opportunity to share these local stories and recipes. My sincerest wish is to continue the journey and offer quality content for another 15 years.
As our magazine faces rising publishing costs, the support of our advertisers is more important than ever. If you or your business would like to be a part of our mission, I’d love to hear from you. We have many more stories to share with our readers, and with your support, we’re ready to write them all.
Nanci Taylor, Publisher
NANCI TAYLOR is a third generation Texan whose family came to the state in the 1800’s to pursue cattle ranching and Texas has remained her home. She was born in San Antonio, but ended up in North Texas where she nurtured her Texas roots while attending college and raising two sons in Dallas. Proudly following in her parent's footsteps, Nanci plants and harvests the bounty of her own backyard garden in Old East Dallas. She keeps a busy calendar attending local food and ecology events, and on weekends she spends her time visiting with growers and food artisans at farms, shops and farmers markets around North Texas.