The Coastal Issue

Professional Shrimper Eddie Chesser on his shrimp boat in Fernandina Beach.

From Fernandina to Flagler Beach, a drive down Northeast Florida’s First Coast will take you over 100 miles.For some, there is a romantic notion of life on a pelagic coast, with its ocean vistas and visions of a laid-back, always-on-vacation mindset. And although the realities of day to day living might not always be exactly as visitors imagine, it takes only a quick trip to the sea to reconnect with the wonders of this place we call home.

Not an ocean person? No problem.There are myriad opportunities to explore life on the edge of other aquatic locales. The Intracoastal Waterway, the St. Johns River, marshes and creeks throughout the area all provide a glimpse into water habitats, and the bounty they provide. Seafood is an important part of our regional foodway. Think fish, shrimp, oysters, clams and crabs.

The Coastal Issue explores how our geography has defined our local food culture and eating traditions. In the inaugural Chef’s Round Table, we talk with local restaurateurs about seafood sourcing and how it’s shaping the region’s culinary identity. We introduce you to a business cultivating clams on the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway. If all that talk of seafood whets your appetite for waterview dining, we’ve put together a local guide to help you. In this issue, you’ll also find some saucy ideas for your next oyster roast with friends and family at home.

As the concept of farm to table becomes more understood and commonplace, let us not overlook the importance of “bait-to-plate.” Get to know your seafood, where it comes from, who catches it. Try your hand at casting some bait into one of our local creeks and reel in dinner. We’d love to hear how you are exploring our local waterways. Be sure to tag us on all your coastal adventures at @edibleneflorida.

Lauren Titus, Editor

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STORIES & RECIPES FROM THE COASTAL ISSUE