When the editor’s chair became available here at Food and Travel, it wasn’t a spot into which I needed any ushering. As I’m sure many readers can imagine, for a journalist with a natural inclination towards all things gastronomic, the role is up there among our trade’s dream posts. And having spent the best part of a decade editing the wine magazine Decanter, the opportunity to branch out into a broader but related sector was a huge draw. I know from my time in wine that, despite the undoubted appeal of what’s in the bottle, for most people it’s the lifestyle which goes with it that holds most allure. Travelling to wine regions exposes you not only to intoxicating locations and scenery, but to a wealth of fantastically varied foods, cultures and people. It’s these elements that I’ll be seeking to bring to life every month in these pages. There’s plenty to enjoy along those lines in this issue - from the bohemian, cosmopolitan new generation of chefs and restaurateurs in Uruguay to the modern face of Berlin’s food scene; from the most spectacular UK walks for spring (all with a great food pub en route) to the miracle of bees and honey. And, of course, a host of great recipes – this month focusing on plates to share. Tuck in…

PS The Food and Travel team will be at the Cruise Show, held at London Olympia, from 23-24 March – come on over and say hello!