It’s that time of year again, marking our annual tribute to food, culinary enthusiasts, and everything in between. This issue is designed to serve as a comprehensive guide, brimming with delectable information, including a selection of must-try recipes. Among them are a couple of Jell-O salad recipes (see page 30) and, in celebration of Afroman’s recent trial victory, a delightful pound cake recipe along with its glaze. For those unfamiliar with the backstory, check out page 39, where the tale unfolds—it’s quite extraordinary. When authorities raided the rapper’s residence searching for illegal substances, all they discovered was an enticing pound cake.
In the realm of captivating narratives, the one-woman show at Amphibian Stage, titled Did You Eat?, promises to be an engaging experience. The performance intertwines themes of food and family, delivering moments that range from humorous to deeply reflective (see page 20).
The connection between our culinary choices and the stories we share stretches back through history. On page 37, we explore Hollywood’s evolving relationship with food over the decades.
This edition of Zest 2026 also features an insightful article on how our eating habits influence our moods (page 11), a critical examination of the new MAHA Food Pyramid (page 9), a roundup of upcoming spring food events (page 14), and much more. So don your apron and take a seat; welcome to Zest 2026.
