For me, getting into the spirit of the holiday season typically starts with the food—familiar aromas and flavors that immediately conjure happy memories—and I’m always intrigued by what people crave this time of year. A quick survey among magazine staffers produced a range of flavors: caramel layer cake, apple and sausage stuffing, anise cookies, mac ’n’ cheese, eggnog with fresh nutmeg, and tamales. That last one is mine—a beloved tradition from my West Coast family; Dad would pick them up at a local tienda, and Mom would revel in not having to cook. For me, it’s just not Christmas without them.
While I’m sure you have your own Yuletide favorites, it never hurts to expand your repertoire. That’s why we asked some local chefs to share recipes for their must-have holiday dishes. In “Tastes Like Home” (page 84), you’ll find a flavorful collection—including an Asian twist on green bean casserole from Shuai and Corrie Wang of Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ and a lighter-than-air ambrosia from Lowland’s Jason Stanhope—that may tempt you to change up your menu this year. We added in some sidebar suggestions for even more ideas, and remember you can always find our comprehensive archive of holiday recipes at charlestonmag.com.
And, if you’re anything like me and have put off your Christmas shopping, we got you! Because we’re sure most everyone on your list would appreciate a taste of Charleston, whether you are shipping to those from off or hosting a holiday party or two, we present our “Holy City Foodie Gift Guide” (page 94). It’s chock-full of locally made products, from cocktail mixers and cheese biscuits to full-on barbecue feasts and sweets galore. There are even a handful of expertly curated boxes, ready to deliver. Just grab a snack before reading it, because you’re going to get hungry!
The staff and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Darcy Shankland
Editor in chief
dshankland@charlestonmag.com