If you’re reading this right now, you are experiencing a first alongside us. This is Edible San Luis Obispo’s first ever digital issue! As we get older, we don’t experience quite as many “firsts” as in our youth, so this is a thrill for all of us at the magazine. Thanks for joining us on this virtual ride.

There aren’t any cyborgs or holograms here, but what we do have for you is a thoughtful series of videos and interactive pieces to bring our stories to life. Ironically, perhaps, this issue is called “Comfort,” and many people might argue that trying new things is exactly the opposite. But what is comforting is knowing that we have a creative team of contributors who are excited to dip their toes into new ponds to bring you something magical.

This issue, we shared creative control of our cover with you, our readers. Our Cook the Cover recipe competition brought us tasty dishes with heartfelt stories. We are excited to share the tale of our cover winner and his Christmas Duck.

Comfort takes different meaning depending on who you ask. Here, we ponder the comfort of a hearty meal (pasta, anybody?), the warm feeling of the holidays and the family recipes that get dusted off but once a year, and even the solace of exploring a loved one’s legacy after they’re gone.

That last one was especially personal, as I got to learn about my late grandmother alongside my dad and sister in Germany. We explored her heritage and got to know each other more while discovering her past over (many) plates of German dumplings and pints of beer.

For those who spend all year yearning for the fuzzy feeling of the holidays, we have some cookie recipes for the big man in the red suit, seasonal activities and a festive music playlist. And though this time of year certainly can be stressful, we sure hope all the love and creative spirit we’ve poured into this issue brings you a little bit of comfort.