The days are short and dark, and the snow and cold stubbornly remain. It can be a difficult, in-between time. That’s part of why we believe it’s one of the best times to gather — warm up together, beat the winter chill with a hearty meal, and find the beauty of the season in the twinkle of a good friend’s eye over a final glass at the end of the night, the bright burst of winter citrus that sneaks some sunshine into the dark days.

The barn warmed with good company as the night turned dark around us, many people lingering in the golden light of the glossy wooden room long after the meal ended. Eventually, we all had to bundle up, snuff out the grills’ glowing embers, and make our way into the winter’s eve, warmed through from the inside out. It was just the kind of evening that fortifies us until the soft spring sunshine arrives.

The evening felt a bit like an after-hours social, blending the vibes of a speakeasy with the French-colonial aesthetic of the city, the flavors of a South American holiday meal, the classic winemaking traditions of Cognac, and the New World terroir of the Russian River Valley — the whole experience an exciting, indefinable blend of cultural celebration fitting for the ineffable, exuberant spirit of New Orleans itself.

‍January is decidedly not high season in Maine. The small towns along the coast are sleeping through the season’s short days and the weather forecast is anything but welcoming to outsiders. Mainers embrace the beauty of this time of year, though. They pull themselves out into the elements to enjoy every bit of the season, no matter what it brings.

In the heart of Minneapolis' chic and historic North Loop neighborhood, a winter supper unfolded, transforming the Neu Neu into a culinary haven inspired by the Minnesota Prairie. Renowned Chef Yia Vang

From the smiling guests in Santa hats to alpine snacks to Chef Josh serving the table and the endless conversations and laughter throughout the night, we were simply delighted to be a part of such a wonderful evening to finish off our your of gathering. It was a joy to bring it home here, in our new home state of Maine!

We arrived at the stunning Alila Ventana Big Sur resort with plans for a dinner in the redwood grove just down the hill, a first for the property and a magical setting for Supper. But, Big Sur is a place where you listen to the land, and the land (and sky) had other ideas. The day of the Supper emerged grey and rainy, with temperatures in the 30s — not at all ideal conditions.

As the crisp, wintry winds sweep across the enchanting landscapes of Minnesota, there's a unique tradition that warms the hearts and palates of those who embrace the cold season with open arms. The long, dark nights of winter in the Land of 10,000 Lakes were illuminated by our Supper that brought a table

The landscape, newly dusted in a layer of snowflakes, was the perfect backdrop for our first gathering of the year. It was a wonderful celebration of renewal, the feeling that only comes from a fresh calendar page or the soft, white landscape of freshly fallen snow.

With adventure in our hearts, a few of us packed up just a few items and headed to the Gorge to reset and take some time for nature and an epic lunch! We roasted up some winter citrus brined game hens, which we enjoyed with brie crudités and finished with pears poached in chai!