Letter from the Publisher: Issue 24

04 Oct, 2016 by Erik Totten

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Welcome to the 24^th issue of Food & Spirits Magazine. This issue also marks our ninth year anniversary and we’re proud and honored to have served our readers and the Omaha food and spirits community for (what feels like) so long. I’m also humbled by the incredible local talent that has graced our pages through their writing, photography and design.

Speaking of which, I’m pleased to welcome a new design team onboard for this issue. But first, before I tell you how great they are, a few words about our last designer, Jake Scott. All of you are very familiar with his work because Jake has been designing the magazine for the past eight years. It’s been an incredible pleasure to work with Jake over that time and I truly don’t know where the magazine would be without his talented design work and compassion. You see, along with the beautiful pages he’s helped put before you, he’s also helped the magazine through more than one crisis. Perhaps more than anyone I’ve worked with, he’s seen me at my worst; confused, stressed out and otherwise unpleasant. I’m proud to say he has become a friend of mine over that time and I wish his growing family and career nothing but the best. Thank you, Jake.

But, as they say, life must go on and so must FSM. Our new design team is made up of Sheri Potter and Beverly Nelligan from diTendenza here in Omaha. They bring a vast skill set to the magazine and I’m excited to be working with them. Along with design work, diTendenza also specializes in food styling and photography so don’t be surprised if you start to see more than just their design work in our pages. They’re both very talented and I think you’re going to like what you see.

Finally, a little shameless promotion. FSM will be hosting, along with Reverb Lounge and 1% Productions, the 2016 Inaugural Food Truck Rodeo on October 7^th in Benson on Military Avenue between Maple and Binny Streets. The event will feature a beer garden, DJ music and as many food trucks as we can fit. It will start at 4 pm and I hope to see you all there.

We also hosted the 8^th Annual Omaha’s Largest Pizza Review in June at The Waiting Room Lounge and Reverb Lounge in Benson. While being serenaded by musicians Sarah Benck Tardy and John Finocchiaro, over 350 (our largest crowd ever) attendees sampled pizza from 15 different pizza places. Inside, you’ll find the results of the people’s choice and the judge’s vote.

So, dear reader, here you are: a new issue of FSM loaded with some great articles and photography. As always, we’re always happy to hear from you so tell us what you like, and what you don’t. We’re listening.

Erik Totten

Erik Totten is the founder and publisher of Food & Spirits Magazine in Omaha, Nebraska. He's worked in publications for the last 21 years at all levels. As well as serving as a writer, designer, photographer and editor, he's also founded two publications which have allowed him to grow into being a publisher, which he would describe as his 'true calling'.