LCBO Food and Drink Holiday 2015

EDITOR’S NOTES

Welcome to our holiday issue! In the spirit of the season we have two exciting bits of news to share with you.    In response to popular demand, recipes from the current issue are now available online at foodanddrink.ca the day an issue is released—as opposed to previously, when they only became available when the next issue was released. We know this is handy for recipe searches and also for sharing recipes with friends and we’re happy to be able to provide this option for our readers. The second bit of good news is that, starting with this issue, we will be o ering a digital edition of the print magazine, available November 18th— another convenience factor, but also eliminating disappointment for those who do not make it to the LCBO in time to get their copy. Find it online at foodanddrink.ca/fddigital.    We certainly wouldn’t want anyone to miss this issue, filled with an abun- dance of recipes, menus and drink and gift ideas to assist in the planning of your holiday gatherings and occasions. If this is the year you’re taking over the Christmas dinner hosting duties for the first time, Christopher St. Onge’s menu on page 114 is a manageable feast—with plenty of make-ahead tips—that forges new but familiar tradi- tions. For New Year’s Eve, Food Editor Lucy Waverman’s Spanish tapas menu (page 47) is ideal for an evening of graz- ing and the recipes are easily divided amongst friends to ease the workload.

For a more laid-back gathering, consider hosting a holiday movie marathon and serving the menu starting on page 138, which was designed with eating around the co ee table in mind.    On the drinks side, where to begin? If you’re giving a box of chocolates, check out page 99 for Stephen Beaumont’s suggestions for a bottle to include that will complement whatever style of chocolate is inside—taking the gift from fine to sublime. Beer is finally being accepted as a great pairing for a wide variety of foods, but what about holiday fare? For our story on page 55, we selected 20 styles of food that are commonly served at this time of year (including some comfort food classics) and paired each with its ideal beer match—including some favourite pairings by those in the know, the LCBO’s beer buyers. I am often asked by friends and family for wine suggestions to give as gifts. This year I will be referring them to two articles by Senior Editor, James Chatto. On page 81, he shares some of his favourite wines that he has tasted this year— translating to gifts you can give with confidence. Then, on page 199, he suggests more extravagant gestures for the connoisseurs on your list—wines that are worth the splurge.    I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our contributors for another excellent year of Food & Drink and to wish them and all our readers the very happiest of holidays!

PORTRAIT BY STACEY BRANDFORD

FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY