With Hearts and Bellies Full

The tastes of Tallahassee welcome us

Breathing is the very first thing we do when we come to this earth, and the last thing before we leave. Being held, if we are lucky enough, is the second thing. But just like Goldie Locks and the three bears, the third thing feels just right: eating.

I grew up in a family where all mealtime decisions were paramount. Before we went to bed, my dad would ask my mom what was for breakfast the next day. This was either his way of getting her to think ahead in the event we needed to, for instance, defrost a pound of bacon overnight, or a chance to bargain for an alternative. Or, maybe he wanted to dream about the meal overnight. I have a feeling all three are true. In the morning, we would eat that breakfast and discuss lunch, and so on and so forth.

But dinner was something special, and my family treated it as sacred. This was especially true for Sunday dinners, as I imagine is true for many of you as well. My favorite memories as both a child and an adult are accompanied by the tastes, smells, and sounds of a Sunday dinner shared. Think skin-on grilled chicken and Swiss chard from Dad’s garden dressed with butter and lemon. 

I love how our senses allow us to time travel. Whether it’s Grandma’s special recipe that we loved every time we had a sleepover—the one we found out years later was simply Hamburger Helper—to that amazing dish shared with a loved one at a local restaurant, food nourishes both our bodies and souls. And the best culinary experiences are elevated not only by the people we’re with but by our surroundings, too. 

I am so thrilled that this entire issue is dedicated to this idea. I loved reading the “Bucket List Dishes” piece to hear from many celebrity locals about the dishes that help them time travel. I’m lucky enough to mentally revisit my own experience with many of those dishes. I am happy to report I had already tried all but one when reading the article, so I can’t wait to go try my last dish this spring.

I hope this issue inspires you to not only enjoy the delights our community has curated for your palate but also to be intentional with whom you break bread. Be present when you share a meal, and may the experience be one you remember for years to come. May trust be built, belonging be felt, and the experience of peace leave your bellies full and your hearts even fuller.

Photo by M. Little Productions