Hello Friends,

As we approach the end of the calendar year, how are things with you? What are you cooking, eating, making? I’ve been knee-deep in thinking about gifts (more on that, below) and wrapping up projects for my SEO and branding clients.

1. What’s Hot

I’ve also been marveling at the “new fusion movement” that is emerging on the San Francisco restaurant scene. No one calls the cuisine of blended cultures “fusion” anymore – maybe “Third Wave Cuisine” is a better term? – but the crossover appeal of koobideh tacos with za’atar on a flour tortilla at Movida in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood or the pumpkin stuffed with saffron tahdig at Dalida in San Francisco’s Presidio gave me multiple “how come no one thought of this sooner?” moments. It’s exciting cooking, fresh thinking about California Cuisine and how cultures can come together to create something more delicious and fun.

I’ve got notebooks stuffed with ideas on Third Wave Cuisine and will find a home for them in the new year. Because now, holiday madness is upon us and family arrives at any moment.

2. Gifting with Me as your Guide

A wish to find great food and drink gifts for friends and family is how I launched my seasonal gift guide program. There’s an incredible steak, 12 days of coffee and more in my Foodie Guide, a rum stunner and bitters-infused sugar cubes to easily make perfect cocktails in my Boozy Guide, a Bay Area and Beyond focus to my Cookbooks Guide and exceptional sparkling wines from $25 – $100 to bring to a New Year’s party in Bubblicious.

What’s the best food or drink gift you received this year? How did it add happiness to your life?

3. Coming Soon –  Best Bites of 2023

A confession: I am having a hard time narrowing down my list of the most exciting and delicious things I ate this year. Plus, the year is not over yet – there are two weeks of eating yet to do. Look for my Best Bites column in the next few weeks or in the January newsletter.

4. Field Notes Returns in January

After pausing my Field Notes column for December and half of January, the column will be back around mid-month.

5. About That Image

Have I shown you my family’s Christmas tree before? My parents (German and Czech heritage) and my husband’s parents (Swiss and Swiss heritage) always light the Christmas tree with real candles on Christmas Eve. It is a European tradition that has endured with my generation in a new country, and, I hope, with my children. It is always magical and adds an element of retro spirituality to a decidedly pagan custom.

Holiday traditions, pulled forth from ancient times until now, blend of eras, each new generation adding their own twists and touches to a season honoring the light and dark. We honor our past and look to the future, share in the warmth of a tradition appropriated from others, and recognize its heritage and new-found importance to our family each year. None of us stand alone.

May the wonder of the season guide you through the new year’s uncertainties with grace, deliciousness, and more than a little curiosity,

Christina