Readers: Welcome to our final issue of 2024. This November/December issue is all about food, entertaining and giving back—and we have a lot of exciting stories to tell. Let me start with one of my own.
One of my favorite annual family traditions is our cookie-baking day. You know the one. It is, after all, a tradition in so many families. When planning this day full of holiday fun, we all choose different cookie recipes to make. One of my favorites is Pizzelles, a traditional Italian waffle-style cookie, which my family has been making for as long as I can remember.
Although Pizzelles weren’t on our menu last year, we made an array of classics: Peanut Butter Blossoms, Chocolate Chip, Molasses and Sugar cookies. We even tried our hand at those shaped, iced sugar cookies that are practically a piece of art. Now, what’s important here is that my family members are bakers and competitors. So naturally we wanted to see who could make the best Santa Claus, snowflakes, perfectly wrapped presents—except it’s not quite as easy as all the tutorials and photos make it look. We had fun regardless, and the cookies were delicious!
In these pages, I’m delighted to share this tradition with you. First, meet Christina Stewart on page 18 who specializes in custom sugar cookies—yes, those challenging and beautiful art creations! Then, turn to our Tastemakers to meet two more talented cookie bakers: Zia McNeal and Annette Gustafson, both of whom have won awards for their sweet confections.
Hopefully, this year has given us all something to look forward to. It has been a great joy to bring you the stories of this year, Readers, and I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season.
Cheers,
—Hailey Almsted
