Then there’s Kansas City, which is going to have its moment in 2012. This Midwestern city has a deep-rooted food culture that’s been around for well over a century, one that’s now poised to reinvigorate itself and position the city as a new culinary destination. We all know about Kansas City’s reputation as a great barbecue town, but recently there’s been a fantastic wave of smart, new high-end cooking that’s been lighting a fire in the heart of America. Laying the foundation are chefs like Debbie Gold, Celina Tio, and Colby Garrelts, whose restaurants (American Restaurant, Julian and Bluestem, respectively) are galvanizing the area’s independent and organic farmers and producers, and inspiring Kansas City’s next generation of chefs to reach for new heights.
— Bites - Cakes, pickles and the next great grub city: Top food trends for 2012