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THE Food & Beverage ISSUE With Articles Covering Eat, Drink,& Celebrate, Fun Ways To Create a Community that Clicks, Restaurants We Love, The Heart of the Spirit, plus PNW Queer Chef Profiles and Dishes Lazarus Lynch Chops & Serves3 ENERGIZING COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS4 EDITOR’S LETTER Dear Readers, This month, I’m delighted to delve into one of my favorite topics: Food and Beverage. My journey began in the kitchen. As a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, I’m endlessly fascinated by the culinary world – from its entertainment value to its unique ability to forge lasting memories across generations. As we approach the holiday season and prepare for the new year, my thoughts turn to the countless dinner tables I’ve shared with family, friends, celebrities, and even those quiet moments savoring a delicious meal alone. I can tell you stories that feel like they are still the last mean I ate. Some of the most rewarding meals, however, are those shared with those in need. Generosity with food is deeply ingrained in many cultures. I fondly recall being urged to eat more by a host concerned about my skinny waist (back in my 20’s). I’ve always strived to help combat food insecurity, but I’ve learned that true nourishment goes beyond physical sustenance. It’s about feeding the soul, fostering connections, and sharing meals that create bonds. This reminds me of the many in our community who are aging alone, often without loved ones to celebrate with. Be mindful of those that need more than a full refrigerator, remember that we need to stock them with love as well. This issue explores food as more than just sustenance. As Lazarus Lynch reminds us, it’s about nourishing our whole selves with food, laughter, hugs, and smiles. My hope for our community is to expand our tables – both literally and figuratively. Invite neighbors, friends, and even someone new. The “new normal” after Covid has highlighted the challenges of staying connected. We’ve all been guilty of it, whether through being overworked or a creeping acceptance of isolation. I hope this issue inspires you to think creatively about our relationship with food and each other. While food and drinks are multifaceted topics with countless avenues for discussion, let’s focus on their power to bring us together and celebrate one another over a fantastic meal and bubbly libation. Sincerely, Anthony Polimeni Publisher/Co-Editor of Out NW Anthony Polimeni | Publisher & Co-EditorMichael Montgomery | Editor-In-Chief5 Table of Contents Eat, Drink, Celebrate! Fun Ways To Create a Community that Clicks The Heart of the Spirit OUT NW | Montana Out NW | Northern California Out NW | Idaho OUT NW | Alaska Out NW | Oregon Out NW | Washington Feature: Lazarus Lynch Chops & Serves The Restaurants We Love PNW Queer Chefs Profiles & Dishes Quickies Call to Action & Masthead Page 6 9 12 19 22 26 41 44 49 52 59 63 67 707 Eat, Drink, Celebrate by Howard Russell Maybe summer is rolling around, the holidays are approaching, or some type of occasion is coming up. At La Pérgola Runway Drag Brunch, we excel at celebrating treasured moments, the most common being birthdays, a special day of the year that fetes someone’s life and experiences while bringing family and friends together. Holidays are equally significant, a time when everyone is in a festive mood, sitting around the table adorned with lights, enjoy- ing dinner, and being thankful for one another. Then spring and summer hit, when friends and family celebrate anything and everything. Barbecue ribs, chicken, potato salad, beverag- es, games, and plenty of music make for an amazing outdoor experience. Memorials also serve to commemorate the lives of friends or family members, honoring those who meant so much to us. On Sundays, it’s time for a drag brunch show, where people from all backgrounds — differ- ent races, genders, and sexual orientations, even children — come together. These brunches often bring unique moments, like someone asking for their partner’s hand in marriage or a teenager coming out in front of their family. You might even see a team of businesspeople or a church group. Regardless, celebrations — even such as graduations, promotions, or completing sig- nificant work projects — make people reflect on how lucky they are to be part of experiences that foster lasting happiness. They allow us to share important moments with loved ones and friends, creating a sense of joy that inspires us. Some honor our heritage or sexual orientation, giving us a sense of belonging and inspiration, knowing that many people fought hard for our rights. Overall, such occasions evoke a myriad of emotions that we can share with others.Oregon The LGBT Community in Oregon Photo by Zach Dischner PhotographyNext >