Admittedly even as blessed and resplendent in, well, a crop of rich fresh fruits and veggies yearround, Gainesville won't realistically hit the culinary pinnacle achieved by such meccas as the Napa Valley or it's neighboring sister, Sonoma.
However, there are indeed a growing number of incredible shining examples and glimmers of hope. Local chefs, Clif Nelson of Paramount Grill, Bert Gill of Mildred's and Frank Ruffino of Blue Highway Pizza are some of Gainesville's restauranteur/chefs pioneering this North Central Florida fresh farm to table movements working closely with dedicated local growers to dish out incredible, daily delectables.
Rounding out this team effort to propel Gainesville's foodie front, is a great, news-filled newsletter, Hogtown HomeGrown and its companion blog, Kitchen Crumbs. While the blog is new, the newsletter actually just marked its third anniversary. It is, according to its founder, Stefanie Samara Hamblen, "a labor of love to promote local foods and farmers markets." And that it does..and more. Hamblen graciously also includes several larruping recipes incorporating ingredients that are "in season." And, of course, she's included a list of "what's fresh right now" as a regular feature in each of the HHG's monthly newsletters.
Rounding out this team effort to propel Gainesville's foodie front, is a great, news-filled newsletter, Hogtown HomeGrown and its companion blog, Kitchen Crumbs. While the blog is new, the newsletter actually just marked its third anniversary. It is, according to its founder, Stefanie Samara Hamblen, "a labor of love to promote local foods and farmers markets." And that it does..and more. Hamblen graciously also includes several larruping recipes incorporating ingredients that are "in season." And, of course, she's included a list of "what's fresh right now" as a regular feature in each of the HHG's monthly newsletters.
So okay, Gainesville's not a culinary capital....yet. But with this strong team of homegrown help, it sure is going to be fun trying!
