After all the apples and pears of winter, the arrival of strawberry season is like a breath of fresh air. Bright, juicy, and sweet, strawberries are among the earliest hints of the summer fruit bounty to come.

Strawberries are the harbinger that soon we’ll have a bounty of wonderful summer fruits like cherries, peaches, and plums. We checked in with local chefs on how to take advantage of this sweet little gem.