Matt Kettmann’s Favorite Stories of 2019
Food & Drink and More Highlights by Our Senior Editor
The year 2019 marked my 20th anniversary at The Santa Barbara Independent, where I started working as a proofreader in September 1999, not counting the months I spent before then as an intern. I’ve spent much of these part 12 months reporting and writing a forthcoming book called Vines & Vision: The Winemakers of Santa Barbara County with photographer Macduff Everton. (Learn more and pre-order copies via vinesandvisionsb.com.)
That work constricted my output of larger features for the paper in 2019, but among the more than 90 stories I contributed are many pieces worthy of a second look.
I started the year by reporting on efforts to turn Gaviota Coast–grown agave plants into booze with The Great Agave Experiment. I’ve recently tasted the second commercial batch, and it’s quite unique and promising. My last big feature of the year turned into just as ambitious of a project: Santa Barbara County’s Kernel King, about the quest of Conrad Gonzales to grow corn in Santa Barbara County and turn it into tortillas.
