A few of my favorite food stories after more than a decade of Weekly writing and editing.

Some humbling opportunities came with the responsibilities of being managing editor of Monterey County Weekly, a post I resigned last month to become a roving contributor (while moving east to west from Malaysia to Mexico).

Being entrusted to steward our interns along their growth arc ranks right up there among them. So does vetting local candidates for office as part of our editorial board, helping Monterey County Gives! raise millions for local charities and editing eye-opening cover stories that helped shape the community.

Perhaps the greatest honor, though, came through my duties as food-and-drink editor, wherein I saw big-hearted families pouring so much effort and enthusiasm into what they do I couldn't help but be inspired, over and over.

I’d like to think they have much in common with journalists, particularly those at a local and independent shop like the Weekly, where the team is lively and fun, timing is everything (and unforgiving), heartfelt product is paramount and the show never (ever) stops.

I dedicate this list of my favorite food stories to those spots and the people that make them go, some of whom appear in this list. (More greatest-hits lists will appear in coming weeks, covering everything from adventure to travel to news.) 

• "Passion of the Pisoni: A closer look at the crazy Santa Lucia Highlands wine deity – and what comes next."

There's a good reason Gary Pisoni is a local legend. Make that many reasons, which makes for an adventurous story unlike any in the world of wine. To get this story I slept on his bearskin rug in front of his fireplace and took the city bus home.

• "New Horizon: Monterey Bay Seaweeds brings seaweed superpowers to plates."

When a marine scientist obsessed with seaweed since he was a kid goes all in on selling sustainably grown gourmet sea lettuce to great restaurants—including one that tastes like bacon—it's a fun story. When the scientist has this much personality, it gets that much more fun.

• "Spit-fire Flavor: Michael Jones’ mercurial personality feels larger than life – just like his food."

This piece came before the local foodie universe really discovered the wonderland-way-out-in-the-wilderness that was Cachagua General Store. But it still reflects the revelation that is Chef Jones in all his kick-ass (and kick-out-customers-he-doesn't-like) approach to local food.

• "Astronomic Gastronomy: Thomas Keller’s obsession with the best made him a legend – and Cooking for Solutions’ 2009 Chef of the Year."

Our interview was scheduled to last 20 minutes. Keller called from the kitchen at Per Se, and the dialogue got dynamic in a hurry. When I looked up at the clock we had talked for an hour.

• "Miles to Go Before I Eat: The journey to consume local foods is fraught with fresh ingredients, inspiring insights and local stories."

The word localvore had just entered the dictionary when I set out on a mission to eat only items procured from within 150 miles. I figured it would be pretty easy given all Monterey County's bounty. It was not. The resulting tale appeared in the year's edition of Best American Food Writing.

• "For sustainability geeks, local aquaponics farm Viridis is a (sexy) dream come true."

The farm went under after internal drama sunk the admirable mission, but not before giving observers a peek at the future of progressive farming, which is flat-out fascinating, and earned the Weekly a statewide award for agriculture reporting.

• "Bounce, Baby: Old Fisherman’s Grotto panic educates us on eating out."

When a Wharf linchpin posted a sign asking parents to be respectful in their screaming-baby management, no one flinched. But they freaked after a nasty Facebook anti-Grotto campaign started and triggered an international media incident. The Association of Alternative News Media named this baby one of its top food pieces of the year.

• "Ready to Ride: Forthcoming coffee shop Captain + Stoker aims to give Monterey a different sort of space."

My most recent food/drink-driven cover story was about coffee—until it became about bicycling, the ugly consequences of our tech obsession, Alaskan bush plane commutes and how we might salvage some of our humanity. In a related note, people have asked me what spots I'll miss while I'm gone. I'm more excited about what spots to look forward to visiting when I return, Captain + Stoker being near the top of the list.