To our readers:
I’m one of those weirdos who is gunning to put up the Christmas tree as soon as Halloween is over. Bring up the plastic pumpkins and bring down the ornaments I say! Embrace the seasonal creep!
But the one thing I didn’t carry down from the attic this year was an artificial wreath.
One of the highlights in creating this issue was hanging with BFFs Lauren Zilnicki and Rebecca Hardman, who share their love of food and entertaining through their web series “Two Forks and Flowers.” Lauren, a florist, demonstrated how to make a wreath using items foraged from her parents’ backyard in Aquebogue. The finished product was a dazzling, truly NoFo creation — something anyone would be proud to display on their front door.
I will attempt to make my own this year (and you can too!), although I’m anticipating one that is a little less flawless than hers.
Lauren and Rebecca weren’t the only super-cool North Forkers I had the privilege of spending time with in the making of this issue. I also spoke with four North Fork chefs about their holiday traditions. There’s John Ross, who would spend the holidays cooking for more than 100 locals in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s; Stephan Bogardus, who hunts the deer and goose served at his holiday table; Galen Zamarra, who is happy to give up control in the kitchen, at least one day out of the year; and Rosa Ross, whose meals are influenced by the multitude of cultures she’s immersed herself in.
In addition to those stories, you’ll also find our North Fork gift guide, a holiday event calendar, a Q and A with The New York Times cooking editor and Greenport resident Sam Sifton and much more.
Find your free copy of northforker magazine at local restaurants, wineries, hotels, real estate offices and other locations. Or, call (631) 298-3200 ex. 251 to subscribe.
We hope you enjoy our guide to celebrating the holidays on the North Fork. As always, you can drop me a line at [email protected] and I promise I’ll get back to you.
Vera Chinese
Northforker editor
This letter originally appeared in the 2017 holiday edition of northforker magazine
