Kombucha Kat: A Drink on the Wild Side
Inspired by Filipino flavors
COVER: Stone fruits are the epitome of a Southern California seasonal summer food. This spritzer recipe, created and photographed by Anna Getty-Oster, can be found here.
Publisher’s Post
Folks often think that because we put out a gorgeous magazine, we must be a media conglomerate working in some 12-story building downtown, or have 50+ staff to handle all the parts of the business. After all, look at our masthead (to the right) and the lovely list of people involved in bringing this issue to fruition.
You might be shocked to learn that, in fact, each of those talented individuals is working freelance and offering their contribution one issue at a time; that, in fact, this media company is a small business much like most of the businesses we cover in our pages: family-owned and -operated, proud members of the community we serve, and striving to off er something of value to our world.
This is why it is so exciting to be able to work with Sarene Wallace, our “new” managing editor (and former co-owner/editor of Edible Ojai & Ventura County). She is someone who understands our mission on a fundamental level because she lived and breathed Edible for more than five years. She brings passion and skill, and she appreciates a good pun as much as I do. (Look for one or two of those in the following pages!)
My hope is that as you read the stories and try the recipes in these pages, you will find joy and inspiration in this collective endeavor. It takes a village to create the work that we share, and I am so grateful for each person who makes up that village— including you, dear reader! I can’t wait to see what our future holds!
Tami Chu
Publisher, Editor in Chief
Editor’s Post
If I could do a cartwheel, you’d see me doing them along Ventura Boulevard and beyond. Why? Because Tami has given me the honor of sharing with you stories of the local hands and hearts that celebrate the food culture throughout the San Fernando Valley.
Everywhere I turn, there’s a compelling angle—urban farmers, artisan makers, restaurants focusing on organic ingredients, farmers’ markets, stories that help us be good stewards of the land. Reading this issue, you’ll see what I mean.
I first met Tami when she wrote “Go Wild,” an article about rewilding, for Edible Ojai & Ventura County magazine, where I was the co-owner and editor. I was immediately impressed—she was (and is) Edible personified. When Tami took over the magazine in 2019, we kept in touch. (I’m sure she got tired of me forwarding her story ideas, but she’s too nice to say.)
I love to talk about ingredients, cuisines, ferments, gardening—all things food, drink and ag related. See page 22 to learn about my deep dive into preserved citruses with blogger Beth Lee, my co-leader for the global Tasting Jerusalem Cooking Community Facebook group.
Join us each issue as we showcase the Valley from tip to tail. If you have any story ideas, please email me at sarene@ediblesfvalley.com. I would love to hear from you.
Sarene Wallace
Managing Editor
