With immense offerings from the world's finest chefs and kitchens in our lovely city, the task of putting together a food issue was definitely a hard but exciting one. Being a foodie myself I could not be more excited to share it all with you.

7 pounds and 45 days later, after trying countless restaurants—new and old—we have finally put together an issue sure to make any foodie salivate.

I believe it's safe to say nowhere else in the country is food more beloved and celebrated than in San Francisco.

How does it all happen? Well, great food doesn't just cook itself, and I had the privilege to sit and talk with so many amazing people behind what we eat; the people who turn the most simple ingredients into a show on a plate; the chefs, the staff, the suppliers and growers. I quickly learned that cooking is possibly the highest labor of love there is, and that deserves—no—demands your admiration and gratitude. I hope that with this issue we all gain a new appreciation and enjoyment out of the food we consume from the people that make it an adventure with every bite our taste buds savor. In this very special issue we are highlighting five must-try restaurants and nine contributor favorites for all you gluttons out there.