MAINE FOOD & LIFESTYLE'S SUMMER ISSUE HITS STANDS: ISSUE FEATURES MAINE ART, "FLOATING" CHEFS, AND RECIPES GALORE

Rockland, ME – The summer issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine (www.mainefoodandlifestyle.com), to hit stands on June 16th, will bring "Vacation Land" to life with colorful stories about Maine seasonal fare, celebrated chefs, and famed watercolorist Barbara Ernst Prey.

Publisher and Editor Merrill Williams today also announced healthy and continual growth at the magazine's first-year mark, as well as the recent launch of Maine Food & Lifestyle's new "Plating Up" blog: http://blog.mainefoodandlifestyle.com .

Summer issue readers will be surprised at the appetizing dishes a unique group of Maine chefs are now creating below-deck, aboard historic windjammers in often-rugged waters. "It's impressive how these chefs have mastered running an on-board ‘kitchen brigade' with wood-fired ovens," Williams noted. "They're able to deliver top-notch cuisine despite operating within very limited cooking space, and in the middle of unpredictable waves and wind."

Art lovers will enjoy learning in the summer issue about the works of acclaimed Maine watercolorist Barbara Ernst Prey. For thirty years, Prey has painted the icons of the picturesque, coastal fishing village where she resides every summer. Maine Food & Lifestyle offers readers a glimpse into Prey's spirited kitchen, where she prepares an enticing menu of local foods served in her gallery located on Main Street in Port Clyde.

Savory recipes, always a popular staple of each issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle, are at their peak in the magazine's summer issue. Award-winning chef Lee Skawinski of Portland's Cinque Terre takes readers along with him to Laughing Stock Farm and Browne Trading Company, where he gathers premium Maine ingredients for his four-course summer menu. Skawinski's seasonal recipes, fresh from local gardens and Maine coastal waters, include a refreshing Summer Greens Soup with Seared Scallop and Beet Agrodolce, and a succulent Maine Crab Canneloni with Fresh Tomato Sauce.

Some of the well-known island residents of Maine's historic Isle au Haut also provide a tempting collection of recipes, including Diana Santospago's tangy Lemon Blackberry Mousse Tart, served at her Inn at Isle au Haut. Island residents Linda and Martha Greenlaw also share their family's tried-and-true recipe of fried clams, a traditional Maine summertime favorite.

This issue's popular "Crossroads" column has the Maine Food & Lifestyle team heading to Massimo's Cucina Italiana, a new Italian restaurant which is making a splash on Bangor's dining scene. Massimo's Chef Massimo Ranni crafts authentic dishes straight from his Roman roots and shares with readers the recipe for his "Finger-Burning Lamb Chops." Delectable recipes for fresh lamb are offered in the summer issue's "Recipe Roundup," as well: The Rhumb Line restaurant in Searsport, Ribollita restaurant in Portland, and Kennebunkport's Cape Arundel Inn all offer delectable recipes for fresh lamb dishes in the summer issue.

In related news, Williams today announced the launch of Maine Food & Lifestyle's "Plating Up" blog (http://blog.mainefoodandlifestyle.com/). Plating Up, already drawing substantial reader interest, features engaging entries from well-known Mainers such as First Lady Karen Baldacci, cookbook author Brooke Dojny, and food historian Sandy Oliver. Several of Maine's highly regarded chefs also offer candid and engaging commentary, including Chef Bryan Dame from Lincolnville's The Edge, and Chef Esau Crosby of Bath's Solo Bistro.

At its one-year mark, Maine Food & Lifestyle has already reached subscribers in every state in the union, and continues to expand both its subscriber and distribution base. "We're all excited that our magazine's first year has been such a resounding success, and genuinely appreciate the interest that readers have shown in the stories we have to share," Williams said. "It goes to show that Mainers and the incredibly rich, unique stories they offer really do appeal to an incredibly wide audience. We're already gearing up for Year Two, and are expecting more great stories and promising developments in the months ahead."

About Maine Food & Lifestyle
Launched in May 2007, Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine promotes Maine lifestyle and Maine's local food movement with articles featuring the diverse, active players in today's exciting food scene. Published quarterly by Mainely Living, LLC, and filled with the vibrant, lush photography of Creative Director Jim Bazin, each issue brims with engaging stories from acclaimed food writers as well as delicious recipes.

With a growing base of subscribers which extends from Maine to Hawaii, the magazine has struck a chord with fans of all things culinary. Merrill Williams, Editor and Publisher, notes that the quarterly magazine has been picked up by over 600 major markets, bookstores and drugstore newsstands throughout New England.

For further information, visit www.mainefoodandlifestyle.com

June 11, 2008   Posted in: United States NorthEast