Letter from the editor: Final course

Two years ago, I was handed the reins of an amazing magazine, one charged with sharing the stories of our city's talented chefs, bartenders and restaurateurs. Crave was the city's authority on dining. All I had to do was not screw it up.

But I had a vision I'm sure many in the local industry viewed as controversial at the time (one chef recently admitted as much before acquiescing that I had a point). "Columbus," I would say to anyone who would listen, "is a good food city. But we're not great, yet." Yes, we are talented and diverse, and never short on creative ideas. Yes, we are growing, opening new restaurants with the speed of the Concorde. But we're young and, like many Midwestern cities, still shaping our own food identity.

The belief that we always have room to get better shaped the mission of Crave during its four years in publication. We viewed ourselves as the link between chef and diner. We wanted to share insight into our city's best kitchens, to help you get to know the city's top chefs, to keep you on top of upcoming trends and, above all, help you get the most out of eating and drinking in Columbus.

We've strived to be this city's biggest champion, but also its biggest critic, because without intelligent discussion, we can't improve. We can't become the great dining scene Columbus is destined to be.

We hope, in some small way at least, we were successful and that you've enjoyed reading about our emerging food scene as much as we've loved writing about it.

It's with this thought in mind that I share some bittersweet news: This is our last issue of Crave magazine.

While we are saddened by the decision to shutter the publication, our closure does not come without a happy ending. We will carry on our mission in the pages of Columbus Monthly. Coming soon, we will offer expanded dining coverage that continues to evaluate our food scene, from where we've been to where it's going. So stay tuned.

Thank you, Columbus, for one hell of a ride. One thing's for sure, we aren't walking away hungry.

Let's Eat!

Beth Stallings, Editor