Edible Delmarva: Summer 2023
The arrival of warm summer weather has been sneaky this year – glorious warm days full of garden planning and planting give way to chilly mornings that feel more like early spring! But if there’s one thing to be pretty sure of it’s that summer is on its way, and we’re looking forward to spending more time outdoors, gathering with friends and family, and basking in all the simple joys summer brings.
Our contributors always inspire us to explore tucked-away local treasures, and in this issue we celebrate the people and places that contribute so much to the fabric of summer here in Delmarva.
We were lucky enough to be invited into the kitchens of Chef Susan Joy at Blue Heron Catering in Easton, Maryland, and Chef Mark Eastman at Chefs’ Haven in Hockessin, Delaware. These two chefs are well-known locally for their work both in the kitchen and in the community, and we doubt they’ll keep their status as secret local gems much longer!
While family farms are facing challenges big and small both here in Delmarva and across the nation, the Langenfelder family has been farming in Maryland for over 100 years. Today, from Grand View Farm on the Eastern Shore, they oversee a thriving pork and feed operation, and their local pork products are growing in popularity across the region. Tim Vetter shares not only his favorite local fare, but also an inside look at the farm family that’s kept it going for six generations.
With nearly 20 restaurants under its umbrella, SoDel Concepts has a sizeable footprint on the food-and-drink landscape in southern Delaware, having grown exponentially since its founding in 2004. The company has formed deep roots in the community and most of its leadership has been with SoDel for many years, including newly named president Mike Dickinson, who joined in 2005. Writer Pam George visits Dickinson to learn more about what he loves about his work, and a look ahead for SoDel Concepts.
What is more iconic for summer dishes than the glorious tomato, which has a long history in the Chesapeake Bay region. Writer Kate Livie takes a fascinating look at the early days of the Phillips Packing Company and its dominant presence during Eastern Shore summers. We also check in at The Quoin Hotel and Restaurant in Wilmington (that rooftop deck!) and meet a group of Delaware artisans who have enjoyed success with their homegrown businesses.
There are so many simple pleasures right here in our backyard and we hope you’ll be inspired this season to visit the local places and small businesses that make our community special. Each one contributes to the vitality we love, and it is truly a privilege for us to share their stories.
Here’s to a joyously simple summer!
