FOOD & COMMUNITY IN PHILADELPHIA AND BEYOND
EDITOR’S LETTER
ADIEU ‘22, AND A TOAST
AS I WRITE THIS LETTER on a beautiful October day, it seems amazing that we are nearing the final stretch of 2022. This was a year that seemed to gain strength with each passing month. A tentative spring, due to Covid, led to a spectacular and active summer, and then into a robust fall full of reactivated festivals and events. Business—and our lives—almost feel back to normal again.
Philadelphia’s food and drink community has, in its own way, sustained us through this pandemic era. Despite ongoing restrictions, staff shortages, and supply chain issues, it has allowed us opportunities to reconvene and reconnect. Whether relaxing in a vineyard with a glass of wine, picking apples at a local orchard, or enjoying Sunday brunch out with family or friends, our food and drink community gave us the places and the space to feel human again. The word hospitality has gained new meaning.
As we look to 2023, Philadelphia’s food and drink community seems poised for a new renaissance. The new restaurants and establishments that bravely opened for business over the past pandemic years continue the city’s legacy of culinary innovation and entrepreneurial creativity, despite the odds. These businesses have been able to hit their stride during the toughest of times, and it all feels up from here.
With that in mind, in this issue we look at our local drinks scene. It’s crackling with new energy and good spirits. Philadelphia Distilling and Stone Y Key Cellars are collaborating on new products; Bloomsday in Headhouse Square has partnered with Vox Vineti Winery in Christiana to produce a vermouth made with botanicals from PA farms (page 16). On stage, a new generation of mixologists is taking their craft to a new level (page 28). There’s never been a better time to #drinklocal.
We’re grateful that our food and drink community gives us good reason to lift our glasses in toast this season, and we thank you for being a part of our Edible Philly family this year. We hope that the articles on these pages, including our annual Holiday Food & Gift Guide (page 23) and our trip to Bethlehem (page 34), help you enjoy the season and we ask you to support the advertising partners who make Edible Philly possible.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday time and a delicious new year.
Nancy Painter
IN MEMORIAM: Edible Philly joins with the Philadelphia community and the culinary world in mourning the loss of Chef Jim Burke, who passed away in August at age 49, following a two-year fight with lung cancer. A nonsmoker, he had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in the summer of 2020. Jim, a highly talented chef and restaurateur, became known for his humility and grace during stints at Vetri, Vivo Enoteca, Angelina, and Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, to name a few. He and his wife, restaurateur Kristina Burke, ran their own acclaimed restaurant, James, from 2006 to 2011, and were known for their support of local charities and initiatives, including the LUNGevity Foundation after Jim’s diagnosis. Jim is survived by Kristina and their two children, Dan (13) and Sadie (9).
In honor of Jim’s legacy, restaurants and chefs around the country have joined together to raise funds to help defray the Burke family’s medical bills and childcare with individual donations and proceeds from select dishes and drinks. To contribute, visit gofundme.com/f/TeamBurke.
