Anyone who has worked with me can attest that I get very excited about the change of seasons. I think that to some degree we all have a favorite season, but as a chef it is particularly hard to decide a clear winner. Each season impacts and changes what we eat and how we prepare our dishes. With Adena’s commitment to fresh, seasonal, and wholesome foods, I can say that I have never had such a unique and rewarding opportunity to embrace the seasonal changes in our food culture.

Springtime in Florida creates a unique environment ripe for delicious foods. Starting with happier, more comfortable livestock extending to more accessible and fresher seafood. For example, I have I can find pigs nourished by fall acorns.  I have already heard very good things about the shellfish harvest around Cedar Key and the Florida Panhandle, as well as great things from our local growers and partners.

Speaking with our local supplier at the organic herb farm, Adena will be expecting tons of high quality late-fruiting citrus, as well as an assortment of heirloom tomatoes and melons over the next few months. The sometimes unpredictable stormy weather in Central Florida typically does a great job in creating plump and full vegetables along with robust lettuces, herbs and fruits with its frequent downpour of rain. The long dry stretches can also favor a farmer’s crop under the right circumstances.

If last year was any indication of what to expect, this year will turn out to be a successful and delicious culinary adventure here at Adena! I am looking forward to sharing this adventure with you in the coming months ahead.