For the Love of Food

The Table is Set

There is something undeniably sacred about gathering at a table to break bread. Regardless of the evening’s outcome, the simple act of sitting together fosters a singular brand of togetherness—a sentiment I offer with equal parts reverence and humor.

I was forged in the lively crucible of a chatty Irish Catholic family where the proverbial “gift of gab” was our shared inheritance. As the eldest of six children—a brood born in such rapid succession that we were rarely more than sixteen months apart—our life in an idyllic Cape Cod town possessed the frantic, charming energy of a classic sitcom. At the center of it all was our handsome father: a charismatic figure with piercing blue eyes who treated the dinner table like a spirited salon. He never shied away from the kind of lively discussions that could explode into laughter, a hearty argument, or a convoluted mixture of both.

While the typical ’70s household might have traded the mundane highlights of the day over dinner, our gatherings required a more rigorous preparation: nightly “fodder” specifically assigned to fuel our habitual dinner discord. Whether it was a specific Bible verse, a deep dive from National Geographic, or a report from Newsweek, we were expected to come prepared. At the time, the ritual felt silly and absurd, but it was where I learned the art of connection and the value of a well-phrased, healthy debate.

The proceedings always began with a familiar cadence: “Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts…” Once “Amen” was uttered, we dove into my mother’s latest chef-d’oeuvres. From bubbling lasagna and fresh lobster to comforting corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, the food was simple, soulful, and always the best thing one could hope to taste. Those humble meals, seasoned with love, became the bedrock of my character.

A New Era of Artistry

It is from this foundation of shared tables that I am so deeply honored to introduce our annual culinary issue. We are celebrating a new level of artistry that far surpasses the era where a “hearty meal” was considered the pinnacle of cuisine.

Leading this charge is our cover gentleman: the legendary, notable, and highly decorated master of fine art de cuisine, Chef Tim Creehan. Captured beautifully by Joseph Victor Stefanchik, principal photographer at Modernmade Photography, the cover image alone serves as a testament to Creehan’s essence as a master in the kitchen.

Chef Creehan made his indelible mark on the culinary world years ago, but his latest work continues to showcase his formidable “culinary chops.” As the chef and founder of Cuvee 30A—located within the upscale 30Avenue shops developed by The Corr Group helmed by Bryan and Tina Corr—he has not only perfected the menu but also curated one of the most conscientious staffs in the industry. We invite you to explore his storied journey in Jordan Staggs’ feature, “The King of His Kitchen,” and to read about his two new Destin, Florida, outposts: the recently opened Nonna’s Italian and the upcoming reincarnation of the famed Pandora’s Steakhouse.

A Love Letter to the Coast

In early 2023, we published the coffee table book COOK by VIE: Cocktails. Cuisine. Culture. We consider it a love letter to the vibrant beaches of Northwest Florida. Within its pages, we celebrate many of the chefs I have known for more than thirty years.

If you haven’t yet experienced this beautiful hardback, I encourage you to visit VIEmagazine.com to secure your copy. Furthermore, in the spirit of paying homage to our chefs and community, stay tuned to VIE’s Instagram, @viemagazine; we will be giving away ten copies of the book to ten lucky people.

Bon appétit, y’all. To Life! 

—Lisa Marie Burwell

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