We often think of winter as a dark season. And yet it’s kind of ironic, but the sunlight in my study turns absolutely brilliant in the winter. We’re well surrounded by big, old oak and maple trees and as their leaves fall, our inside world is flooded with light. I like to take that as a positive harbinger of things to come! And it will be even brighter when the woods are filled with the sparkling of fresh fallen snow (we hope!).

Food brings people and cultures together. We’re not the first to say this of course. But many of our stories this issue focus on endearing locations that illustrate the power of enjoying great food in a welcome environment.

We start with several delicious, Winter Holiday cocktails from local distillers ( Highclere Castle Gin, Litchfield Distillery, Westford Hill Distillers, and Waypoint Spirits) that are perfect for making and sharing over the cold months with friends and family; then we visit the restaurant Anya in the quiet corner, a destination for many and welcome jewel for locals as well; in Bridgeport we pay homage to the 48th anniversary of Bloodroot, a mecca for women of all cultures to embrace their role in making the world a better place, highlighted by a new documentary film, A Culinary Uprising by filmmaker Annie Laurie Medonis; then a deep dive in the singular world of pho, ramen, family, and charity at Mecha Noodle; and last, we seek to understand the enormous efforts that go into making maple syrup from the Farrell family doing the work at Fat Stone Farm.

Also, we’re very grateful to welcome Highclere Castle Gin and Woodstock Inn in Vermont back in our Winter holiday pages. Please support them and all of our advertisers as they make it possible to produce edible CT EAST for you. And well, because we love doing it as well.

Look for the brightness of winter. It’s all around us!

R. Shane Kennedy
Publisher/Editor