Every season has its signature flavors, and it wouldn’t be summer in the South without hot dogs or hamburgers, ice cold drinks, or peaches. We have all of these and more of the best seasonal bites included in this Food and Drink Issue—including Kyle Childers’ full-circle hot dog moment and a cameo by Chef Sydney Taylor, who shares a recipe for a cake with sweet summer peaches. My mouth is watering just thinking about its caramelized peach glory.
Lately, I’ve been delving into my own adventures with seasonal produce, especially after meeting the folks and farmers affiliated with Feed & Seed in West Greenville. They make it easy and will keep your kitchen routinely stocked with crops from area farmers—meaning there’ll always be nutritious ingredients on-hand to inspire fresh salads, roasted veggies, and sliced fruit for summer cookouts and suppers.
Life is about balance, and like I balance my hot dog and hamburger indulgences with plenty of fruits and veggies, many are balancing out their cocktails with alcohol-free substitutes. Chef Alex George at Golden Brown & Delicious shares his journey to the restaurant’s spirit-free drink menu and one of the goals is to incorporate herbal flavors and cut sugar. The other is to maintain a social bar culture with alcohol-free options. It’s a great story—especially if you’re sober curious.
And if you’re feeling spicy, Ariel Turner shares her crawl to find a proper margarita, meaning a traditional margarita mixed without headache-inducing syrupy sweet mix. The backstory inspiring the crawl has a hilarious nautical theme, and her anecdote paired with expert advice will confidently guide you to a refreshing summer marg in no time. Like I said: life is about balance, as well as satisfying your own (summer) tastes.
Callout: Fun Fact My hot dog is a veggie dog with a gluten-free bun. I stopped eating meat when I was 12, and a health crisis forced me to cut gluten a few years ago.
