KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The folks in New York City may think all Kansas City has is cows. But not so fast city slickers, James Oseland, editor in chief of Saveur Magazine, says Kansas City is about to garnish a new reputation for itself.

Oseland said Kansas City has a “deep-rooted food culture,” one that is well poised to reinvigorate itself in the year 2012.

Already, Kansas City is known for its barbecue, but according to Oseland, there are fabulous chefs in this Midwestern cow town who are “galvanizing the area’s independent and organic farmers and producers,” putting Kansas City back on the map of culinary destinations. Those chefs include Debbie Gold, Celina Tio and Colby Garrelts of restaurants American restaurant, Julian and Bluesteam, respectively.

For more on Oseland’s take on Kansas City or to see what food trends he expects to be big in 2012, click here.