IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE. No, I am not referring to another Trumpism. We are coming up on our tenth anniversary for Eatdrink this summer. Where has the time gone? Every issue is a new adventure, and this is Number 64. As Paul McCartney wrote, in his youth, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four?” As Sir Paul has discovered, the answer is a definite yes, and we trust the same is true for us here.
Keeping pace with culinary trends can seem simple compared to staying current technologically. When we launched the magazine, having a website had become important but Facebook was only beginning to open up to non-students and Twitter was just getting started. It was several years before Eatdrink jumped into social media. Today, it’s a critical aspect of our business.
And that website? We launched a redesigned site a few years later, and I’m thrilled with our latest iteration of Eatdrink online. We launched our new site quietly, a few weeks ago, and I am confident we have a winner. Please check it out. You’ll find a ton of pleasant surprises, but here are some highlights:
Responsive Design: Anticipating continual growth of smartphone usage, all content will scale seamlessly onto any device, for perfect resolution on desktops, laptops, tablets and phones.
Readability: Elegant typography with a focus on readability creates an awesome user experience.
Faster Loading, Easier Navigation: The slick user interface also loads faster, so stories open immediately.
Easier Sharing: It’s a breeze to share stories that you love, no matter what social media platform you enjoy most.
Related Content: When you read a story you’re interested in, suggestions for related content follow. For example, interested in recipes? You’ll find all of our cookbook reviews and recipes organized together.
Improved Search: Looking for something you read but can’t recall all of the details? Our new Search function is brilliant. And fast.
You also may notice a refreshed design on our printed pages in this issue. Feedback is greatly appreciated. We know that thousands of our loyal readers prefer to read the hard copy, and we’re committed to that for as long as you are, with 20,000 copies rolling out every other month. If you find us hard to find, you’ll see a beautifully organized list of pick-up locations on our website under the Magazine menu.
OOPS. I made an embarrassing error in the last issue. We had a new ad from one of our favourite new restaurants, the charming SoLo on Main in Port Stanley. Somehow I reran the previous holiday ad.
soloportstanley.com
What our readers should have seen, and our online readers did see as soon as the error was brought to my attention, was this “Hand-crafted Indulgence” ad. Yes, it’s striking, and so is the restaurant. Chef Lauren VanDixhoorn presents vibrant plates that are as delicious as they are beautiful.
You’ll be glad to know both the comfortable SoLo lounge and dining room are open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Walk-ins are welcome but if the weather is dodgy, be sure to call ahead at 226-658-0999.
Here’s hoping the SoLo patio and porch are open before long too. Thanks for your patience, Lauren and Paula.
CONGRATULATIONS to Ashley Cordeiro! Combining our regular Facebook draw with our annual London Wine & Food Show draw, we had a double prize package. In addition to the Lexus of London prize — detailing of her car and a Lexus to drive for three days while the work is being done! — Ashley won overnight accommodations and breakfast, lunch and dinner for two from Windermere Manor and Restaurant Ninety One. Enjoy, Ashley!
There’s a new draw now open. Go to our #eatdrinkmag Facebook page and click on the link to our Lexus of London draw. Good luck! We’ll select a new winner on April 24, 2017.
I HAD THE PLEASURE of meeting Chef Michael Smith at last year’s Bethanys Hope Foundation fundraiser, so was pleased to see he is helping this worthy cause once again. Coast to Coast: A Taste of Canada will take place at the London Convention Centre on April 27, 2017. Chef Michael, along with four top chefs from across Canada, will celebrate Canada’s 150 with a culinary adventure exploring the field-to-fork movement.
Cocktail hour features five “live-action” chef stations, including the always popular P.E.I. Oyster Bar with Chef Michael. An amazing six-course dinner will follow, with both live and silent auctions. www.bethanyshope.org
LONDON’S black-tie Tastings takes place May 4 at the London Hunt & Country Club. Enjoy “a journey for the senses” inspired by the McCormick Flavor Forecast® of emerging taste trends, paired with fabulous wines. This is a fundraiser for London Health Sciences Foundation’s Impact Fund.
Providers of the exquisite food include Rick Peori from Old East Village’s All ’Bout Cheese, Chefs Scott Wesseling and Matt Rice from Black Trumpet, Chefs Erryn Shephard and Ben Sandwith from Grand Bend’s F.I.N.E. A Restaurant, Jess Jazey-Spoelstra and Chef Jeff Fortner from The River Room in Museum London, and Chef Eric Boyar from Sixthirtynine in Woodstock, and other notable contributors. www.lhsf.ca/tastings
