Seattle Met Magazine

For a short, fun profile piece about a few of my favorite food-finds around Seattle, take a peak at Seattle Met Magazine's Taste of the Town. Not surprisingly, Olsen Farms, Taylor Shellfish, and Cook Local top the list.

Beer battered Halibut & Chorizo salt

Cooklocal is modest. They say they don't set out to make adventurous recipes. I disagree. Beer battered fish & chips with Chorizo salt is just one of many.

They're adventurous in what they buy, cook, eat, and share with others.

Adventure is challenging oneself. For them, it's to always shop locally. It's supporting Seattle farmers markets. It requires planning, and at times, a significant amount of more money and energy.

Adventurous or not, they're explorers and trail-blazers in the local food scene. Take a peak for yourself. Their newest venture? How to approach restaurants about ethically sourced meat.

Warm luck

We're lucky to be surrounded, and supported, by a sea of passionate people. People who care about where their food comes from. People who make an effort to shop locally, and to understand what afflicts the producers behind their favorite farm.

No two Seattleites embody this ideology better than Patricia and John, of Cook Local. Their commitment to incorporate Seattle-area farmers markets into their everyday diet is inspiring. They also don't shy away from sharing one-of-a-kind recipes. Not only that, they're dialed into the local food scene. In need of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)? Ask Patricia. Curious about 'Food Inc.,' the film? Question John. In need of a locavore restaurant recommendation? Patricia's your woman.

A couple of Sundays ago (on July 5th), we lost our farmers market booth space in the neighborhood in which we live, Ballard. After 8 months of winter chill and snowy days, we were devastated by the news. In retrospect, we're happy to have had the opportunity to be part of such an exciting, farm-oriented community.

Yet when we lost our space, we thought about how much we'd miss seeing people like Patricia and John. Frank and Sarah. Mohini and Brian. Shauna and Danny (and Lucy, too). Molly and Brandon. Lorna and Henry. And Lorraine. Their smiles and familiar faces brightened our days.

Again, luck surrounds us. We cross paths with them at food-events around town, and every once in awhile, at the Queen Anne Farmers Market. Like other Seattle farmers markets, Queen Anne embodies the unique charm and character of the neighborhood.

It's also wonderfully different, and so smoothly run by an energetic group of women and volunteers that it'll make you feel more welcome than any other. I feel like I'm in their home when I'm there. Julie, Patty, Jenise, and Kimberly; thank you.

Others not to be missed at the Queen Anne market? Josh, of Skillet, is a favorite. His airstream trailer put mobile food trucks on the map. The food, and bacon jam, speak for themselves. Don't miss Poco Carretto too, the brilliant gelato cart by Chef Holly Smith of Cafe Juanita.

We hope to see you at the Queen Anne Farmers Market on Thursdays (from 3-7pm, until October 1st). Trust us, you'll feel just as welcome and lucky as we do.