After the long dark haul of winter, spring arrives with a sensory bang: an explosion of color, flavor and possibility. And in Artful Living’s annual spring food issue, we celebrate this abundance on every page, examining the many ways food — and culinary culture — can bring us together and enrich our lives.
In “Global Entry”, Editor-at-Large Kate Nelson explores how the Twin Cities has quietly emerged as a vibrant hub for global cuisine. This multicultural melting pot, shaped by waves of immigration and a deep respect for tradition, boasts a food scene as diverse as its people. From Hmong hot sauce to Somali suqaar, Indigenous Three Sisters Stew to heirloom Mexican masa, the region’s chefs are redefining what it means to eat locally. Beyond the plate, these culinary innovators use food to honor heritage, foster empathy and build community. In the Twin Cities, dining isn’t just about flavor — it’s a gateway to understanding the rich tapestry of cultures that call this unexpectedly warm and welcoming place home.
While Minneapolis chefs are redefining local dining by celebrating heritage and community, Copenhagen’s Rasmus Munk is reshaping the global culinary landscape with his boundary-pushing artistry. Named the World’s Best Chef at the 2024 World Chef Awards, Munk’s Alchemist is less a restaurant and more a multisensory odyssey, blending avant-garde cuisine with social commentary. From edible (and eerily realistic) butterflies to crumb-less (but crunchy) Space Bread, his 50-course menu challenges diners to rethink food’s role in society. Like his Twin Cities counterparts, Munk’s work is deeply rooted in purpose — he believes in using gastronomy to spark change, whether feeding the homeless or designing meals for space travel. Both scenes prove that food, at its best, is a catalyst for connection and transformation.
In this issue, the sensory journey doesn’t end at the plate. In an excerpt from her gorgeous new Rizzoli book, Living with Flowers, Aerin Lauder invites us to pause and appreciate the simple beauty of flowers — nature’s most ephemeral art form. Whether it’s the nostalgic scent of lilacs evoking summer in East Hampton or the bold interplay of colors in a tabletop centerpiece, Lauder reminds us that flowers are more than decor; they’re a daily source of pleasure, memory and delight. So why wait for a special occasion to bring a little bloom into your life? As Lauder notes, “A single stem in a bud vase can transform a morning.”
Though distinct, these stories are united by a common thread: the art of living with intention. Whether you’re delving into biohacking guru Dave Asprey’s longevity blueprint or marveling at Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (page 56), each story is an invitation to be fully present.
Enjoy the issue!
Amy Synnott, Editor-in-Chief
@amysynnott
