Category Archives: Local Food

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you need to know

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By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

"If you can't tolerate critics, don't do anything new or interesting."

                                                  ~Jeff Bezos

Food, glorious food!

Blue Spoon will again be at Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival. (WKTV)

And there will be food trucks galore! The free-to-attend event will run from 11am to 10pm, on Saturday, Sept. 15 in the parking lot of the Kent District Library — Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch. Throughout the day, there will be live music, a beer tent and a variety of local eats.

 

Find out more here.

 

 

Well, hello, gorgeous!

The new, expanded playground at Ferrand Park.

Ferrand Park got quite the facelift, and Wyoming residents are thrilled. The park features a number of new amenities such as a shelter, pathways into the park, architectural features that help to identify the park, and a new, expanded playground area. 

 

Go here to learn more.

 

Hey, there’s an app for that

Gerald R. Ford International Airport has launched a new app that features real-time flight departure and arrival information, updates on parking availability at the airport, and security wait times. Additionally, amenities such as food and beverage locations, kids play areas, nursing rooms, and the military welcome center are featured on the app.

 

Click here.

 

Fun Fact:

A cow-bison hybrid
is called a “beefalo”

You can even buy its meat in at least 21 states.

Kentwood’s plans food truck festival, games, music for end-of-summer celebration

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Food, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Upcoming Events
Blue Spoon will again be at Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival. (WKTV)

 

By City of Kentwood

 

The City of Kentwood will host the third annual End of Summer Food Truck Festival, with nearly 30 food trucks scheduled to be on hand, on Saturday, Sept. 15. The event is in partnership with GR Loves Food Trucks.

 

The free-to-attend event will run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch. Throughout the day, there will be live music, a beer tent and a variety of local eats.

 

“We think there’s something for everyone at the End of Summer Food Truck Festival,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “It’s meant to be an event you can spend the whole day at enjoying food, drinks and live music and meeting your neighbors.”

 

Food trucks attending the event include: Blue Spoon Catering and Event Planning (kabob, Tex-mex); Maui Wowi (Hawaiian smoothies and frozen coffees); Ice Box (gourmet ice cream bars); Ananda Ice (rolled ice cream, shaved ice); Doughrunts (miniature topped doughnuts); Patty Matters (gourmet burgers and fries); Silver Star Café LLC (sandwiches, wraps); Moochies (popcorn, ice cream, cotton candy); Fire and Rice (vegan and gluten-free paella); Pig Out on the Fly (pulled pork topped fries); Tamale Rose (tamales, burritos); Coffee Rescue (coffee drinks, frozen lemonade); Kona Ice (shaved ice); Porters BBQ (barbecue); Rise and Grind (coffee drinks, frozen lemonade); Crepes by the Lake (sweet and savory crepes); PorkFat Slim’s (barbecue); Saladino Smoke (barbecue); Do Your Wurst (brats, hot dogs); Underground Cookie Club (gourmet ice cream sandwiches); Lazy Man BBQ (barbecue); Daddy Dough (cookies, with gluten-free and vegan options); D&D Gluten Free (topped fries, rice bowls, chicken tenders, all gluten-free); Summer Pops (gourmet ice pops); Babatuck (gyros, kabobs); D&W Eatery (smoked tacos, smoked vegan options); Detroit’s Original Coney Island (hot dogs, chili dogs); Yochef (gyros, tacos).

 

“Food trucks offer foodies a delightful mix of talented chefs and fast-food time frames,” said Alan Stone, president of GR Loves Food Trucks. “When we have an event like this where so many food trucks come together, you can really feel a bustling community atmosphere.”

 

Local live music will be featured on stage starting at 1 p.m. with bands such as Allie Garland, Erika Scherry, Kari Lynch and Orquesta Ritmo.

 

A beer tent will be open from noon to 10 p.m. and feature craft beer and cider.

 

Teams of two will be able to compete in a corn-hole tournament during the event. Anyone can register by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 616-656-5317.

 

While the festival includes free-entry, cost for food and beverages varies by vendor.

 

For more information visit here.

 

Something for everyone at Ah-Nah-Awen Park, Sept. 3

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, ,

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Photos courtesy West Michigan Labor Fest
What kicks off with a Labor Day Bridge Walk at 10am and goes all day long? Why, the West Michigan Labor Fest at Ah-Nah-Awen Park, from 11am-5pm Monday, Sept. 3rd.
Enjoy free admission all day to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum; free, live entertainment by Rochelle & the Spoilers, Mustang Band, Evidence, Krystal Klear, and Mark Swanson.
Fun things for the kids include a penny throwing contest, free rides on the kiddie Ferris wheel, jump for free in the Bouncy House, free rides on the Berry-Go-Round. Your little ones can also create sidewalk chalk art, enjoy free Country Fresh ice cream, and face painting.
Don’t forget the food: Patty Matters Food Truck, Coney Girl, Saladino Smoke, D&D Gluten-free Food Truck, Kona Ice, and more to be announced later. Dad (and mom) can check out the beer tent.
Local arts and crafters will be selling jewelry, candles, wood, clothes, crocheted items, fused glass art and more.
‘American Made’ car and motorcycle show and shine, with dash plaques to the first 50 cars in the show!

Going green in West Michigan

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By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

It’s important to take care of our planet, and luckily, many West Michigan businesses are helping, one step at a time. These organizations that are making sure they’re taking care of the environment, while still providing the best experience for travelers. Keep an eye out for some of the green practices that West Michigan businesses are adopting next time you stop by.

Environmentally friendly places to stay

Grand Rapids’s CityFlatsHotel is the first LEED Gold-certified hotel in the Midwest. In addition, AHC+Hospitality properties, located in downtown Grand Rapids, each participate in green initiatives. The Downtown Courtyard Marriott ships partially used soaps to Clean the World, where they are sanitized and sent to people in need. The nearby Amway Grand Plaza is going strawless across all of the hotel’s outlets, while the JW Marriott focuses on recycling throughout the hotel. These properties are all helping preserve the environment.

 

In Mecosta County, being eco-friendly is something that hospitality businesses have been doing for years. Most of the hotels have a detailed green program as part of hotel policy. The Holiday Inn and Conference Center is the best example of a company with an eco-friendly initiative, known as the “Green Engage” system.

 

Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is dedicated to sustainability throughout all of the resort’s offerings. For their Farm-to-Table series, the Crystal Mountain culinary team works with local farms, making personal visits to build a custom three-course menu. Their spa has also been named Sustainable Resort Spa Of The Year by Green Spa Network. Relax knowing that your stay at Crystal Mountain comes with an eye for sustainability.

Eat and drink with sustainable initiatives

Downtown Market (file photo)

The Downtown Market in Grand Rapids was the first market in the country to receive LEED Gold certification. Inside and outside, from the ground to the rooftop, Downtown Market has put thoughtful effort into making an environmentally friendly facility.

 

The Mitten Brewing Company in Grand Rapids has successfully launched its new Sustainability Program. With the craft beer industry a driving force in the Michigan economy, it is important that they implement a program for environmental responsibility. In the first few months, they replaced much of their disposable materials, such as napkins, straws, and trash bags with eco-friendly industrial compostable alternatives. They have begun to track data and progress toward a more water-efficient establishment, a task not easily undertaken in the brewing industry. Upcoming projects include partnerships with BarFly Ventures Sustainability Program as well as evaluating the energy efficiency of their buildings.

 

Brewery Vivant, also in Grand Rapids, is the epitome of an eco-friendly business here in Michigan. They’re the first LEED-certified microbrewery in the world, and they’re a certified B Corp, a Gold-level, bicycle-friendly business, and, in 2016, they installed 192 solar panels atop the brewery and pub, making them the 31st largest brewery solar array in the world. Their dedication to being eco-friendly continues with their use of local farms, meaning that the ingredients going into your beer or meal is being produced not too far away.

 

Being green and environmentally-friendly doesn’t tell the whole story at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo. They view sustainability as the capacity for their business to thrive in future generations, all while using practices that focus on good environmental stewardship. They want to act in ways that provide benefits now and for generations to come. Reducing impact, increasing energy efficiency, and recycling only scratch the surface. Bell’s invites you to join them for a free brewery tour in Comstock and Kalamazoo to learn more about how they approach sustainability. Reserve your tour on their website.

 

Be green the next time you decide to go out with your friends for a cold one. Arcadia Brewing Company in Kalamazoo has a pet-friendly beer garden with direct access to the Kalamazoo River and Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. This means that you can get to Arcadia by kayaking, canoeing, biking, and walking. Instead of driving, hop on one of these trails next time you make your way to Arcadia. They also installed 536 solar panels in 2016, generating equivalent to roughly 25% of the brewery and tavern’s total consumption.

 

Grand Rapids Brewing Company (courtesy Barfly Ventures)

Virtue Cider in Fennville minimizes environmental impact in many aspects of their business. They purchase fruit direct from local farms in southwest Michigan, which keeps the supply chain short and their carbon footprint small. Their cider houses use extremely minimal climate control, just as traditional European cider makers did and still do today. In fact, their fermentation cider house is underground, which maintains a more consistent temperature year-round without climate control. You can view these facilities during one of their regularly offered tours. Additionally, the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program named Virtue Cider an Environmentally Verified Farm in December 2016, a distinction that they are very proud to have earned.

 

Barfly Ventures is working hard to be sustainable across all 14 of their locations. These include HopCat in Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Brewing Company, and Stella’s Lounge in Grand Rapids, all of which participate in this program. Through their various sustainability efforts, Barfly Ventures has been able to divert waste, recycle, protect clean water, and be more energy efficient.

 

Visit the Holland Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and support local agriculture. By purchasing locally grown produce, you’re helping to cut back on packaging and emissions that would otherwise be used to transport goods to grocery stores from across the country.

Things to do while going green

When looking for eco-friendly practices and sustainability take notice of the historic architecture and charming small towns throughout West Michigan. They epitomize the green effort, and one of the shining examples of preservation in this part of the state is the historic Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater, built in 1882. According to the National Trust, “The greenest building is the one already built.” The organization affirms, “historic preservation is the very definition of sustainability: a smart, efficient way to reuse a community’s resources and keep its character at the same time.”

 

Saugatuck Antique Pavilion is not only reducing, reusing, and recycling, but they are also updating their lighting system throughout with LED lighting in an effort to cut down on energy use. Stop by the Saugatuck Antique Pavilion and save both money and the planet!

 

Courtesy Saugatuck Antique Market

Park the car and make your way around Muskegon on your bike. They have over 100 miles of trails for you to explore, including the paved Musketawa Trail from Muskegon to Marne through farmlands, wetlands, and villages. When you bike through West Michigan, you’re saving the Earth from your car’s emissions, so give it a shot. The environment will thank you.

 

The business of vacationing itself in South Haven makes it easy to go green. Downtown, the river, beaches, and attractions are all within walking distance. You can easily park your car for a week and never have the need to drive, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Enjoy the refreshingly clean breezes of South Haven.

On Tap: Railtown expands, dangerous beers, bottle beauties & good vodka

3-bottom, Beer, City of Kentwood, Food, Going Local, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, , , , ,
Railtown Brewing Company will hold its grand opening of its new expanded building and offerings on Monday, July 16. (Supplied)

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Railtown Brewing Company will hold its grand opening of its new expanded building and offerings on Monday, July 16 — and if you liked its beer, you’ll still like its beer; if you liked the fun atmosphere, you’ll love the extras available; and if you had wished Raltown had its own kitchen, your wish has been answered.

 

Railtown’s new location is located at 3595 68th Street SE, Dutton, but just across the border with Kentwood, and near the brewery’s original location. It will have two floors, an outdoor patio and will seat over twice as many guests as the original space.

 

“Some of the key gains from this new space is a kitchen, larger bar, more taps, more brewing capacity, reserved seating area availability, and patio,” Railtown co-founder Gim Lee said to WKTV in a previous interview. “The tap room will include a mezzanine with additional seating and space that can be reserved for parties and meetings.”

 

Gim and Justin Buiter opened the brewery in late 2014.

 

Railtown Brewing previously allowed patrons to bring their own food, but the new space has a kitchen that, according to other media, “will serve American pub grub with some cultural flavor. Dishes will take inspiration from Chinese, Korean and Dutch cuisine,” we are told.

 

I’m sure there is a beer for that!

 

For more information on Railtown Brewing Company, call the taproom at 616-881-2364 or visit railtownbrewing.com (leads to a Facebook page).

 

Seasons’s final GRPM Beer Explorers night might dangerous

 

Alas, the final 2017-18 season Beer Explorers at the Grand Rapids Public Museum will soon be poured as the museum is partnering with Perrin Brewing Company on Thursday, July 19 to share “the dangers of fruiting beer.”

 

Wait; there is a danger in that?

 

Perrin Grapefruit IPA (Supplied)

“Fruiting beers can be challenging, but Perrin Brewing Company, and its talented brewers, has perfected the process,” according to supplied material. “The company currently boasts a full menu of fruit beers, and in this final Beer Explorers participants will have the opportunity to try three vastly different fruit beers, from Grapefruit IPA to Passion Fruit Gose to Razzberry Blonde!”

 

In the class, participants will learn how the three beers differ from each other, as well as the stories behind other Perrin fruit beers. Participants will also have the chance to taste the fruit concentrate that goes into these beers, and learn unique facts about fruit beer brewing — did you know there is 1.1 grapefruits per pint of Grapefruit IPA.

 

Not usually much for fruit beers, but I must admit that sitting on the outside area at Perrin Brewing Company’s Comstock Park pub and sipping a Grapefruit IPA (5 percent ABV, 35 IBU) would go down pretty well on these hot West Michigan summer evenings.

 

Anyway, the class begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be held on the first floor of the Museum. Participants will have access to the museum’s first two floors to explore. A cash bar will be available.

 

Tickets for the event are $10 for museum members and $20 for non-members. Participants must be 21 and older. GRPM is located at 272 Pearl Street, NW. For information and tickets to Beer Explorers, visit grpm.org.

 

For more information on Perrin Brewing, visit perrinbrewing.com .

 

Grand Rapids Brewing set to release first bottle-conditioned brews

(Supplied Grand Rapids Brewing/Nate Spangenberg)

Grand Rapids Brewing Company’s new specially bottled brews. (Supplied/GR Brewing Co. and Nate Spangenberg)

Grand Rapids Brewing Company will release two limited-edition bottled beers, including its first-ever bottle-conditioned release — limited run of 150 bottles of bottle-conditioned Sur La Lune and Sur Les Nuages — available to the public at GRBC Saturday, July 14, beginning at noon.

 

GRBC mug club members (and lucky you if you are) will have exclusive access to purchase the bottles two hours prior to the public on-sale. All buyers will be limited to one bottle of each beer on the release day.

 

Sur La Lune golden ale, French for “on the moon,” was created to be bottle conditioned —  a process that includes extra blast of yeast and sugar and a second period of fermentation once bottles are corked and caged similar to a Champagne bottle. The process allows carbonation to occur naturally, with “the pressure of the cork on the additional yeast and sugar enhances flavors, carbonation, aromatics and alcohol content,” or so we are told.

 

“Bottle conditioned beers have more depth and character than their draft counterparts and a finer carbonation and mouth feel, plus corks and cages are just fun and fancy,” Ernie Richards, GRBC’s “brewhouse alchemist”, said in supplied material.

 

Sur La Lune also will be available on tap for samples and comparison.

 

Its companion beer, Sur Les Nuages  — “on the clouds” — first appeared in the 2017and comes from the same base recipe as Sur La Lune, but is force-carbonated, capped and fermented solely with a yeast isolate.

 

For more information on the Grand Rapids Brewing Company and the special releases, visit grbrewingcompany.com .

 

Green Door’s Get Lost Vodka earns (inter)national honor

 

Kalamazoo’s Green Door Distilling Co. submitted its Get Lost Vodka to April’s New York International Spirits Competition and announced last week it had claimed a silver medal, along with a tasting score of 92 – outscoring many nationally recognized brands, such as Belvedere, Grey Goose and Ketel One.

 

(Supplied)

“In a competitive landscape that saw over 600 spirits submitted for consideration, including many exceptional spirits from our own great state, we’re extremely honored to accept this recognition from the judges,” Jon Good, president and head distiller, said in supplied material. “We believe this is a reflection of the time and effort that goes into crafting spirits and the exceptional ingredients that we source.”

 

The competition also awarded Green Door the title of “Michigan Vodka Distillery of the Year”. Along with these recognitions comes the opportunity to compete in several other international competitions.

 

“The recognition that Get Lost Vodka has generated, not only from New York Spirits, but also from American Distilling Institute earlier this year, has definitely validated this wild adventure that we took up four years ago.” Good said.

 

For more information on Green Door Distilling, visit gddistilling.com .

 

Barbecue safety

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Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Karen Fifield, Michigan State University Extension 

 

This is the season for food, family, picnics and barbecues. It is important to stay food safe by using a food thermometer when barbecuing. Before you begin the grilling season, explore some tips provided by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to keep you and your family’s food safe.

 

When purchasing foods for grilling, be careful to transport them safely from the store to your home, keeping meats separate from other foods, particularly poultry. Transport cold foods in coolers or thermal containers, keeping them at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, refrigerate until it is time to cook.

 

Keep all cooking utensils and equipment cleaned and sanitized to prevent cross contamination from raw food touching cooked food. Never place cooked foods on platters that have contained raw meats. If you feel you need to precook foods for the grill, the USDA recommends partially cooking foods in a microwave, oven or on a stove to help reduce the time it takes to cook on a grill.

 

To prevent charring, cook foods with low flame or charcoal, also by removing any visible fat that may cause grease to flare. Other safe practices to follow according to USDA guidelines, pertain to cooking foods to proper internal temperatures.

  • Whole poultry: 165 degrees F
  • Poultry breasts: 165 degrees F
  • Ground poultry: 165 degrees F
  • Ground meats: 160 degrees F
  • Beef, pork, lamb and veal (steaks, roasts and chops): 145 degrees F and allow to rest at least three minutes

Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperatures; this is a minimal temperature as the meat can be cooked to a higher temperature if you choose to do so. Always keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and remember to package leftovers in small amounts and keep in a refrigerator. When reheating any food items it is recommended to reheat leftovers to a temperature of 165 degrees F.

 

It is Michigan State University Extension’s recommendation to follow safe grilling practices to add to a healthy grilling season.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

On the shelf: ‘Tasting and Touring Michigan’s Homegrown Food’ by Jaye Beeler and Dianne Carroll Burdick

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By M. Christine Byron

 

If you enjoy going to the Fulton Street Farmer’s Market, stopping at roadside vegetable stands, and “eating local” at restaurants, this is the book for you. Written by Jaye Beeler, former food editor and restaurant reviewer for The Grand Rapids Press, who aims to eat locally shares her favorite Michigan foods with us in this mouth-watering book. The stunning photographs are by Dianne Carroll Burdick, a veteran local photographer, whose work has appeared in six books and over fifty art exhibitions.

 

Jaye and Dianne’s year-long journey took them all over the state, driving 2,500 miles and taking 8,000 photographs. Michigan is the second-most agriculturally diverse state in the country. Jaye and Dianne visited small family farms growing everything from asparagus to zucchini. They sought out orchards that produce peaches, cherries and antique apples. They stopped by fisheries, meat markets, bakeries and restaurants. They tasted fresh milk, goat cheese and ice cream from dairies.

 

Some of my personal favorites in the book are the thimbleberry jam from the Jampot in Eagle Harbor, the Raclette from Leelanau Cheese in Suttons Bay, and smoked whitefish from John Cross Fisheries in Charlevoix. There are 26 pages of delicious recipes — don’t miss Zingerman’s Roadhouse macaroni and cheese, Christmas Cove’s apple pie and Rob Burdick’s roasted squash. This book is a perfect companion for any Michigan roadtrip.

 

So buckle your seat belt and loosen a notch in your belt and savor our state’s fine homegrown food.

Kentwood concerts kick off June 14 with Adams Family, run through Aug. 2

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Upcoming Events,

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By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org 

 

Maybe the best known of the headliners at this summer’s City of Kentwood Summer Concert series are West Michigan favorites The Crane Wives, May Erlewine and The Moxie Strings.

 

But, starting with The Adams Family coming to town next week, there is not a sour note in a series that will feature an eclectic mix of indie, folk, country, blues and rock music.

 

The Summer Concert Series offers free concerts and family entertainment on select Thursday nights from June to August. All concerts will begin at 7 p.m., on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, located at 4900 Breton Road SE.

 

In addition to a variety of music, the concerts offer a variety of food trucks at each concert offering food and beverages for purchase. Concert-goers are also encouraged to bring a blanket or their chair, and are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.

 

“One of the best ways to embrace the warm weather with family and friends is to relax and unwind with live music outdoors,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “We are thrilled with our lineup for this year’s summer concert series, and welcome concert-goers of all ages to celebrate summer in Kentwood with us.”

 

Opening the series, The Adams Family play a blend of folk, doo-wop and classic rock by members Jerry Adams, Brian Adams, Cindy Adams Kropf and Dale Kropf. The band is out of Lowell and describe themselves as an “acoustic folkin’ rock” band.

 

“When you hear the intricate vocal blend that only close relatives can create, there’s no mistaking that The Adams Family really is a family,” a statement on the band’s website reads. “The band features three lead vocalists: Cindy Adams Kropf, her brother Jerry Adams, and Jerry’s son Brian Adams. Rounding out the group is Cindy’s husband, Dale Kropf, on bass and background vocals.”

 

For more information on The Adams Family, visit their website here.

 

After The Adams Family on June 14, there rest of the series will feature May Erlewine on June 21, Big Dudee Roo on July 12, The Moxie Strings on July 19, The Crane Wives on July 26, and Blue Soul Express to close out the series on Aug. 2.

 

For more information on the City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series, visit here.

These concerts are cable rebroadcast on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99, usually on the following Tuesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (or following the rebroadcast of a City of Wyoming summer concert. See WKTVjournal.org for complete feature broadcast schedules.

 

Summer Festivals in West Michigan

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By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

With summer comes a slew of festivals in West Michigan, each entirely unique and memorable. We’re talking about festivals centered around food, beer, art, culture, and more throughout the next few months. With events taking place nearly every week throughout the summer, there’s always something right around the corner for you to experience with these West Michigan festivals.

June Festivals in West Michigan

The Festival of the Arts is a three-day community celebration in downtown Grand Rapids offering art, food, entertainment, and fun activities for all ages. This year’s event is June 1st to 3rd, and will continue the tradition of bringing together the Grand Rapids art community for a summer kick-off. Ongoing for over 40 years, the Festival of the Arts is one of the longest-running festivals in the state.

 

The Mecosta area is home to festivals throughout the summer. The Lilac Festival is a chance for families to come out and do something fun, as a hometown, family-friendly event from June 1st to 3rd. Return for a summer of festivals, including the Morley Celebration on the Pond, Remus Heritage Days, and Mecosta County Agricultural Fair.

 

The Charlevoix Craft Beer Festival is a celebration of Michigan craft beer, local food, and entertainment on Saturday, June 2nd. The aim of the festival is to provide patrons the opportunity to enjoy a varied selection of high-quality Michigan craft beer while mingling with friends at the beautiful waterside venue. Attendees are encouraged to venture out and explore downtown Charlevoix’s culinary and retail offerings prior to and after the event.

 

The band Moxie Strings is set to appear at Cogdal Vineyards in South Haven on Sunday, June 3rd for the Cogdal Vineyards Wine Lovers’ Festival. Attendees can expect a fun experience of high-energy, original, and traditional tunes performed on five-string fiddle and electric cello while enjoying a glass of delicious wine.

 

Plan a summer fun Girls’ Night Out with Divas Uncorked, the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula Divas Uncorked event on Friday, June 8th. This evening is devoted entirely to women, wine, food, and fun. Enjoy wine and food pairings, giveaways, shopping, and pampering. Bring your entourage, relax, and be fabulous!

 

Whether you’re looking for a fun and easy family getaway or a big night out on the town with friends, Mt. Pleasant offers a little bit of everything. They have a wide variety of events this summer, kicking off with the Back to the Bricks car show on Friday, June 8th. The following day, craft beer enthusiasts gather for the Mt. Pleasant Craft Beer Festival, showcasing some of Michigan’s greatest brews. There won’t be a dull moment during your trip to Mt. Pleasant.

 

Feast of the Strawberry Moon is June 9th and 10th in Grand Haven. The event includes reenactments, a kids day, live entertainment, and more as they explore the middleground world that evolved between Europeans and the Native Americans in the Great Lakes Region during the pre-1800 fur trade era.

 

Grand Haven hosts some of West Michigan’s fan-favorite festivals every summer. The Spring Lake Heritage Festival is June 11th to 16th, and has family fun like no other. The following week is the Grand Haven Art Festival on June 23th and 24th. The event seeks to provide the community and visitors with a unique opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art, directly from the artists.

 

Music, boating, arts, and culture are all happening in River Country. Some of the area’s most popular annual events include the Three Rivers Water Fest from June 14th to 16th and Sturgis Fest from June 23rd to 30th. More events include Covered Bridge Days and the Magic Get-Together later in the summer. They have a full event calendar on their website, so check that out if you need to fill your time in southwest Michigan!

 

The Michigan Maritime Museum presents the 37th Antique & Classic Boat Show on Saturday, June 16th, during Harborfest weekend in South Haven. This event celebrates all kinds of antique and classic small craft from power boats to paddle boats. Woodworkers and collectors alike will show their boats, demonstrations on boat building techniques will be featured, and toy boat building will be available for kids. The aim is to help perpetuate the building, restoration, and use of classic boats and small craft to give participants and the public an entertaining and informative learning experience.

 

Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids is pleased to present to you Founders Fest 2018: A Celebration of Beer and Music on Saturday, June 16th. In its 11th year, Founders Fest continues to marry the finest beer with the tastiest artists from around the country and the world.

 

Located at the scenic Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer, the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival brings together the members of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail for a spectacular day in the sand on Saturday, June 16th. The festival will feature fantastic regional live music, food trucks, and local restaurants to pair with the world-class wines produced right in southwest Michigan.

 

Whitehall is home to the 40th Annual White Lake Area Arts & Crafts. The festival is expected to draw thousands of people this Father’s Day weekend on June 16th and 17th. Creative artists will participate in this very popular juried art show, and attendees can purchase a variety of hand-made art and crafts such as jewelry, wood furniture, birdhouses, ceramics, and more. A great lineup of musicians will entertain the crowds throughout the weekend.

 

The 9th Annual Traverse City Wine & Cider Festival is Saturday, June 24th. Come celebrate local wine, food, and culture. The festival brings together a true taste of the region with great wines, art, food trucks, and live musical entertainment all in one location!

 

Visit Lansing for the 19th Annual Common Ground Music Festival from June 28th to July 1st! See some of the best rock, pop, country, and hip-hop stars in the world take the stage in downtown Lansing along the Grand River in a setting unlike any other.

 

June in Battle Creek means it’s time for the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival from June 28th to July 4th. Balloon launches or fly-ins take place every night (weather dependent) and air shows take place at noon.

 

The Soo Locks Engineers Weekend begins on Friday, June 29th in Sault Ste. Marie. This fun weekend offers exclusive access to some of the area’s historic and interesting attractions such as the Locks and the Cloverland Electric Hydroelectric Power Plant.

 

The 60th annual South Haven Art Fair hosted by the South Haven Center for the Arts is a two-day juried festival held one block from the Lake Michigan shore in picturesque Stanley Johnson Park on June 30th and July 1st. This year’s unique blend of talent includes works in acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, drawing, sculpture, photography, glass, wood, clay, and wearable art. Admission is free for this two-day event.

 

The National Cherry Festival brings people from all over the world to Traverse City for a week-long celebration surrounding the cherry. Not only that, it attracts people from all over Michigan, the five-county area, and even just across the street to participate in activities. Come celebrate the Cherry Capital of the World from June 30th to July 7th for another year of food, drink, entertainment, and tradition!

 

Making Fruits and Veggies a Priority

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, How-To's, Local Food, Non-Profits, , , , , , ,

By Dawn Ware, RD, Dietician

 

What if we ate more fruits and vegetables in our diet? What would the benefits be? Here are a few good reasons:

  • You would get more nutrients like calcium, fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. This would also save on the cost of paying for supplements.
  • They are convenient. Grab a pack of carrots, snap peas, cut up cucumbers, an apple, banana, pear, cherry tomatoes or other fruit and veggies to take on the road for extra crunch and flavor.
  • More fiber and less trips to the doctor for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, heartburn. Fiber makes you feel full, so you are likely to eat less, and take in less calories to prevent weight gain.
  • Fruits and veggies can be eaten in different forms: dried, cooked, raw, 100% juice, and canned, so you don’t get bored.
  • They are naturally low in calories, higher in water and have zero cholesterol.
  • You can grow them. This teaches kids where they come from, and they taste better (less or no pesticides can be used).
  • They can be bought in season, so they are less expensive (see list below).
  • You can have fun with them. You can kabob either fruit or veggies and have them with dip or on their own. A fun kid and adult idea is “ants on a log.”

Get started now! Here is an example of a short list of fruits and veggies in season thisfall, which means more flavor, better cost and ideas for fall recipes:

  • Fruits: pears, cherries, cranberries, plums, grapes, passion fruit, persimmon, pineapple, pomegranate.
  • Vegetables: butternut, buttercup, acorn squash, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, butter lettuce, cauliflower, artichoke, jalapeno pepper, ginger, garlic, mushroom, lime, sweet potato, turnip.

For more information on fruit and vegetable cooking tips, seasonal fruit and veggies list, storing them, and other useful information, click here.

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Michigan honey is always in season

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, Local Food, , , ,

By Mariel Borgman, Michigan State University Extension

 

Thanks to the hard work of honey bees, we are able to enjoy the foods they pollinate such as apples, sweet cherries, blueberries, strawberries, pears, plums and peaches. Nearly 50 percent of the value of Michigan’s fruit and vegetable production can be attributed entirely to honey bee pollination. As an added bonus, farmers can harvest some of the honey the bees produce to sell as a delicious natural sweetener. Besides its great taste, honey has nutritional benefits as outlined in “Benefits of honey” from Michigan State University Extension. Learn why and how bees make honey by watching this short YouTube video, “How it’s Made: Honey.”

 

Michigan honey can be found year-round in stores and farmers markets. Honey has a long shelf life, but may form sugar crystals over time. Crystallized honey is still safe to eat. If crystals are undesirable, place the closed honey jar in a bowl of warm water and it will return to its previous consistency. If storing honey for longer than one year, putting it in the freezer can help retain flavor and color and prevent crystallization. For ideas on using Michigan honey in the kitchen, check out these Michigan Fresh recipes for Pear Party Salsa and Fruit Spread. Honey should not be fed to infants under 1 year of age.

 

Keeping backyard bees for honey production can be a fulfilling hobby or a great business opportunity. To explore what it takes to care for honeybees, MSU’s Beginning Farmer Webinar Series has an archived course on “Getting started with beekeeping for pollination and honey.”

 

MSU Extension’s Community Food Systems Work Team supports the development of local food systems in Michigan. The Michigan Fresh program has tips on growing, handling and preserving, as well as healthful recipes to take advantage of the delicious Michigan-grown bounty from your backyard or your local farmer’s market. For more information, connect with your local community food systems educator by visiting http://msue.anr.msu.edu/ or calling 1.888.678.3464.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. Reprinted with permission. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888.678.3464).

On Tap: Gravel Bottom moves in Ada; get smart on beer and beer cooking

3-bottom, Beer, Food, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Our Cities, ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org 

 

Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery will open a new facility as part of the Ada Village redevelopment project on Friday, May 11.

 

“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into making this feel similar to what the other Gravel Bottom was: welcoming and comfortable,” Matt Michiels, Gravel Bottom owner, said in supplied material.

 

The new bar will offers 20 taps, which will allow Gravel Bottom to have more “experimental styles” in rotation.

 

“This was the opportunity to upgrade our equipment so we can brew more styles and be even more creative,” Michiels said. “And we’re able to brew bigger batches of some of those mainstays.”

 

And Gravel Bottom is certainly considered to be part of the Ada community.

 

“Gravel Bottom has become a well-known pillar of the Ada business community and we’re excited about their move,” George Haga, Ada Township supervisor, said in supplied material. “Their new home and highly-visible location on Ada Drive are another example of the transformation that is taking place in the Envision Ada project.”

 

“It’s very important for us to be a part of this community. This is where we started. And it’s exciting to have this chance for renewal,” Michiels said.

 

There will also be a new kitchen serving meals designed by Chef Eric Benedict. The menu will feature locally sourced, seasonally influenced dishes, including small plates designed to pair with Gravel Bottom beers.

 

The brewery is also acquiring a vintner’s license, meaning customers can look forward to wines, meads, and ciders both made by Gravel Bottom and others.

 

For more information visit gravelbottom.com .

 

Experience Beer continues free beer-education series at Harmony Hall

 

Harmony Brewing Company. (Supplied)

Experience Beer West Michigan has already launched its 8th annual free beer education classes but there are still four of the five sessions planned for Mondays from 7-9 p.m. at Harmony Hall in Grand Rapids. This series will be hosted by beer education specialist Ben Darcie.

 

The May 14 discussion will focus on sour maturation in sour beers from a representative of Speciation Ales. The May 21 discussion will feature a field trip to Gray Skies Distillery with representatives from Gray Skies, Long Road Distillers, Bier Distillery and Thornapple Brewing Company speaking about distilling.

 

The classes will wrap up on June 4 and will feature a brewer’s round table with 10 area brewers answering questions and dropping knowledge.

 

To learn more about Experience Beer WM, visit facebook.com/groups/ExperienceBeer .

— Lindsay E. Papciak

 

Downtown Market offers cooking with beer class

 

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market will offer a class called “Cooking with Beer” on Tuesday, May 15 from 6-8 p.m.

 

The class, for ages 21 and older, will be allow for the making of a beer-inspired menu including a refreshing summer salad with beer vinaigrette, delicious beer-braised chicken, and chocolate stout cupcakes — yes, beer in dessert!

 

And you can complement your meal with your favorite brew, available for purchase from a curated list.

 

The cost is $95 per person. The market is located at 435 Ionia Ave. SW. For more information visit downtownmarketgr.com .

 

On Tap: KBS/CBS takeover in Caledonia, Beer Explorers’ bread & ale, French wines at six.one.six

Beer, Entertainment, Going Local, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, , , , ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS).

If you missed out on your fair share of the 2018 Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Uccello’s Ristorante in Caledonia will offer a KBS tapping as part of its planned Founders Tap Takeover on Wednesday, May 2, starting at 3 p.m.

 

The range of Founders pours available at the takeover, in addition to the KBS, will include the 2017 Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS), Oatmeal Stout, All Day IPA and Red Rye. What do you want to bet the KBS is the first tap tapped out? Still, for fans of the dark, the CBS is a good fallback.

 

According to Uccello’s advertising, the range of Founders beers will be offered at $8 for 8 ounce pours.

 

Uccello’s in Caledonia is located at 8256 Broadmoor Ave. SE. For more information visit the event’s Facebook event page here.

 

Yeast anyone? GRPM’s Beer Explorers pairs artisan ales with breads

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum, as part of the Museum’s Beer Explorers program, is partnering with Speciation Artisan Ales for a beer tasting with Field & Fire breads on Thursday, May 17. The class will give the opportunity to taste 3 different artisan ales from a brewery currently putting out beer once a month on a special Saturday releases dates.

 

This Beer Explorers will be presented by Mitch Ermatinger, Speciation co-founder, and Shelby Kibler, Field & Fire owner and chef.

 

Speciation Artisan Ales will be demonstrating their “house culture” with a jar of yeast and bacteria slurry, as well as demonstrating the different pH of beer before and after fermentation and acidification. Bread from Field & Fire will also be made from the yeast and bacteria of the ales.

 

Class begins at 6:30 p.m., and will be held on the first floor of the museum. Admission to class includes three beer samples, bread samples and access to the museum’s first two floors to explore. A cash bar will be available.

 

Tickets for the event are $10 for museum members and $20 for non-members. Participants must be 21 and older. GRPM is located at 272 Pearl Street, NW. For information and tickets to Beer Explorers, visit www.grpm.org.

 

For more information about Speciation Artisan Ales, visit speciationartisanales.com .

 

Boatyard Brewing plans ‘Friends’ brew as Alzheimers Association fundraiser

 

Kalamazoo’s Boatyard Brewing Company will hold the release party of its New Friends Brew on Friday, May 11, and it will also be a benefit for a September “Walk to End Alzheimers” fundraiser.

 

The beer release and tapping party will be Friday, May 11, 5-8 p.m., at the Boatyard Brewing Company, 432 E. Patterson St. The event will include live entertainment from Delilah DeWylde and Lee Harvey.

 

For more information visit boatyardbrewing.com .

 

Makeover at six.one.six at Downtown JW Marriott boasts French wine cellar

 

As part of the “re-concept” of JW Marriott’s six.one.six restaurant into what they are calling a “casual French bistro”, the restaurant has announced it will now have the largest selection of French wines in Grand Rapids.

 

six.one.six’s expansive wine list will now include feature labels such as Domain Jean Louis Chave L’Hermitage Rouge and Blanc, Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande Grand Cru, Henri Prudhon, Les Chambres, Chassagne Montrachet, Domaine Tessier, Les Genevrieres, Meursault premier cru. (Never had any of them, but if I had I bet I would be impressed.)

 

The expanded wine list is accompanied by a focus on French cuisine and the arrival of a new chef.

 

“With newly appointed Chef Alessandro Guerrazzi, classically trained in French cuisine and at the helm of the restaurant’s refresh, our team will deliver the highest level of French taste profiles to discerning diners interested in culturally distinct experiences,” Brian Behler, general manager of JW Marriott Grand Rapids said in supplied material.

 

For more information on the JW Marriott Grand Rapids and six.one.six, visit ilovethejw.com.

 

Get Lost: Green Door Distilling wins award for new vodka offering

 

Kalamazoo’s Green Door Distilling Company announced late last month that it’s Get Lost Vodka, first released in August 2017, has won a silver medal from the American Distilling Institute. The ADI Judging of Craft Spirits is the largest and most respected judging devoted to craft spirits, according to supplied material, and the judges tasted over 1,000 spirits and decided which spirits stood out in their respected categories.

 

Green Door Distilling Company is located in Kalamazoo’s River’s Edge District, and is  proud to be Kalamazoo’s first modern distillery and represent the rich distilling history that Kalamazoo possessed in the 1800’s.

 

For more information visit greendoordistilling.com .

 

Fast facts about Michigan onions, berries, celery and beets

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Food, Health, Local Food, , , , , ,

By Terry McLean, Michigan State University Extension 

 

Each year the Cultivate Michigan and the Michigan Fresh initiatives promote seasonally available Michigan foods to two different groups of people.

 

Two Michigan State University Extension-led initiatives promote the seasonal use of Michigan’s fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy, focusing on two different audiences. Cultivate Michigan is an institutional food purchasing campaign of the Michigan Farm to Institution Network and has the sourcing, marketing and recipe resources to help schools, hospitals and other institutions find, buy and use local foods. A consumer-focused initiative, the Michigan Fresh program, helps individuals explore the state’s bounty of fresh, locally grown foods from farms, gardens and local farmers markets, with tips on growing, handling and preserving as well as healthful recipes. Both initiatives support farmers, food businesses and consumers, enhancing local economies.

 

In 2018, Cultivate Michigan is promoting four seasonal foods: onions (spring), berries (summer), celery (fall) and table beets (winter) to institutional food service directors. A few fast facts about these 2018 featured Michigan fruits and vegetables:

 

Michigan Onions:

Michigan Strawberries, Raspberries and Blackberries:

  • Berries are rich in Vitamin C, an excellent source of potassium, fiber and phytochemicals
  • Michigan grows berries for both fresh and processed uses, and ranked seventh nationally in strawberry production in 2016
  • In 2009, Michigan produced 43,000 tons of fresh strawberries and 3,000 tons of processed strawberries, generating $6.6 million
  • The raspberry and blackberry industry is relatively small in Michigan, we produced 26,512 pounds of raspberries in 2015

Michigan Celery:

Michigan Table Beets:

  • Table beets are a good source of Vitamin C, Iron and Magnesium, and a very good source of fiber, Folate, Potassium and Manganese
  • They are closely related to sugar beets and Swiss Chard
  • Michigan-grown beets are available late July to late October

Each year, the Cultivate Michigan team plans field tours featuring the featured seasonal foods for institutional food service staff and others to learn first-hand about the production, processing and distribution of the foods, as well as to network with other food buyers, growers and suppliers. Several tours are planned for the year ahead featuring Michigan onions, summer berries, celery and beets.

 

Both initiatives support Michigan Good Food, a policy initiative of the Michigan Good Food Charter, and several of its goals by the year 2020:

  • Michigan institutions source 20 percent of their food from Michigan sources
  • 80 percent of Michigan residents have easy access to affordable, fresh, healthy food, 20 percent of which is from Michigan sources
  • Michigan farmers will profitably supply 20 percent of all Michigan institutional, retailer and consumer food purchases and be able to pay fair wages to their workers.

The Michigan Farm to Institution Network and Cultivate Michigan are coordinated by the Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems with support from MSU Extension. Michigan Fresh is supported by MSU Extension and includes a handy Michigan Availability Guide so you know when dozens of popular items are in season throughout the year, including those crops that are produced using season extension techniques, which extends their availability over a longer period of time.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

On Tap: Strong beer in Cedar Springs, fine wine at St. Cecilia, fundraiser at Boatyard

3-bottom, Beer, Food, Local Entertainment, Local Food, , , , ,
Whether it is a pint of beer or a glass of wine, your tastebuds can fine what they want in the Grand Rapids area in April. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Looking for something local to cap off your spring break week? Cedar Springs Brewing Company will host its third annual Starkbierfest — strong beer fest — on Saturday, April 7, with a heated tent with live music, limited beer releases, and a sausage party. And you know how well German beer goes with German sausages.

 

Never heard of Starkbierfest? According to the brewery, besides the famous Oktoberfest, Starkbierfest (“Strong Beer Festival”) is the second big German beer festival time during the year. Historically, monks brewed strong beer (Bockbier), which was higher in calories and a bit stronger to substitute for food during Lenten fasting. This “liquid bread” and annual brewing specialties have survived the times and re-emerged … at Cedar Springs Brewing.

 

Four beers are set to be released: Küsterer Maibock, a spring strong lager in collaboration with North Channel Brewing; Küsterer Pale Bock, a traditional Bavarian pale lager bock; Big Sid Rides a Buffalo, a Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrel aged barley wine; and Tim the Enchanter, a strong Belgian golden ale.

 

There are various party packages available, including the Starknaked Package (we will not delve further into the name) for $20 per person, and the four-person Sausage Party Package (again, no comment) for $60.

 

Live music will be provided from 2:30 p.m. until sometime after 8 p.m. or when the beer runs out, by Dave Salvinski (German/folk music), Fauxgrass (progressive bluegrass), and Delilah DeWilde (rockabilly).

 

The Starkbierfest will be held Saturday, April 7, from 3-9 p.m., at Cedar Springs Brewing Company, 95 N Main, Cedar Springs. For more information visit csbrew.com .

 

St. Cecilia fundraiser to feature Martha’s Vineyeard wine tasting

 

More of a fine wine palette? The “Eat. Drink. Be Merry!” Martha’s Vineyard Wine Tasting Annual Fundraiser to benefit St. Cecilia Music Center will be held on Saturday, April 14.

 

Wine more your taste? Check out the wine tasting event at St. Cecilia Music Center. (Supplied)

Grand Rapids fine wine purveyor Martha’s Vineyard will supply the wine and food at the music center’s annual fundraiser, to be held from 6-10 p.m., on two floors at St. Cecilia’s historic building. The night will feature more than 100 wine varietals at various price points, we are told. Some of the wines to be featured are specific to the event and will only be available through special order at the event. Discounts on all wine orders at the event will be offered.

 

The event will include hors d’oeuvres from Catering by Martha’s and Nantucket Baking Company, as well as musical entertainment and a silent auction with many unique wines, wine-tasting trips, vacations, entertainment packages and  dining packages up for bid.

 

St. Cecilia Music Center is located at 24 Ransom NE, downtown Grand Rapids. The cost is $40 per person and advance tickets can be purchased at Martha’s Vineyard, 200 Union Ave NE, Grand Rapids, online at scmc-online.org or by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224. Tickets are limited.

 

Boatyard Brewing plans ‘Friends’ brew as Alzheimers fundraiser

 

It is still a month away, but summer weekend schedules fill up quickly so you may want to mark your schedule for Kalamazoo’s Boatyard Brewing Company release party of its New Friends Brew on Friday, May 11, which will benefit a September “Walk to End Alzheimers” fundraiser.

 

“I am the captain of our walk team and every year in September there is a big walk,” Corie Shireman said to WKTV. “So all year long we do fundraising as a company to raise funds for our walk team. Last year we made our goal of $5,000. So, every year, it becomes more of a challenge for me to think of new ways to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimers Association. So because of my love for craft beer I took it upon myself to ask a local brewery if they would consider naming a beer after us and the possibilities of any of the proceeds going to us.”

 

The result: New Friends Brew, the sales of which will benefit $1 for each draft beer purchased to the New Friends Walk team, and a party.

 

The beer release and tapping party will be Friday, May 11, 5-8 p.m., at the Boatyard Brewing Company, 432 E. Patterson St. The event will include live entertainment from Delilah DeWylde and Lee Harvey. For more information visit boatyardbrewing.com .

 

Grey Skies Distillery releases first straight bourbon whiskey

 

Grand Rapids’ Gray Skies Distillery released its first straight bourbon whiskey on March 22 and while its initial sales will be exclusively at their downtown Grand Rapids tasting room subsequent releases beginning fall of this year will be available through licensed retailers, bars, and restaurants around Michigan, according to the distillery.

 

Michigan Straight Bourbon Whiskey was aged in charred new, oak barrels for over two years and bottled at 90 proof, we are told. Following their Breakfast Rye and Single Malt Whiskey, Michigan Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the third American whiskey Gray Skies Distillery has released.

 

“Michigan Straight Bourbon Whiskey is simply named to highlight what it is – straight bourbon distilled and aged in Michigan,” Steve Vander Pol, co-owner of Gray Skies Distillery, said in supplied material. “The straight designation signifies the bourbon was aged at least two years and has no additional flavors added.”

 

Grey Skies Distillery is located at 700 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids. For more information visit grayskiesdistillery.com .

 

On Tap: Museum Beer Explorers, Ann Arbor brews and Valentine’s Day darks

3-bottom, Beer, Entertainment, Food, Holidays, Local Entertainment, Local Food, ,
A sampling of beers at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Beer Explorers program — yes there is glasses of what you like available for purchase. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

The days are getting longer but we are still in the dark days of winter, despite Valentine’s Day looming. But there are plenty of events on tap on the local beer scene, including some tasty dark brews being poured all over the greater Grand Rapids area.

 

Starting with the next installment of the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Beer Explorers program, this time partnering with Brewery Vivant and Pilot Malt House, on Thursday, Feb. 8, when beer fans can take a closer look at malts, and how malt variations affect the flavors of beer.

 

Pilot Malt House is an artisan craft malt house who produces and supplies malts to local craft breweries and distilleries, including Brewery Vivant. (FYI: Malt is beer’s main fermentable ingredient, providing the sugars that yeast use to create alcohol and carbonation. Malt is converted barley or other grains that have been steeped, germinated, heated, kilned, cooled, dried and then rested. So we are told in supplied information.)

 

The Beer Explorers class begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be held on the first floor of the museum. Admission to class includes three beer samples, as well as access to the museum’s first two floors. A cash bar will be available; doors open at 6 p.m.

 

Tickets for the event are $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Participants must be 21 and older. For tickets and more information visit grpm.org/calendar .

 

Dark days, dark brews before and after Valentine’s Day

 

Brewery Vivant will celebrate Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14, for those of you not married/dating/smart) with the release of its Fat Packzi beer on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the  brewery in East Town area. This beer is available only for a limited time, according to the brewery. Also on tap is the return of Love Shadow, Brewery Vivant’s bourbon barrel aged Imperial stout — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

 

For more information visit breweryvivant.com .

 

And speaking of dark days … B.O.B.’s Brewery downtown will host its Dark Days events during Grand Rapids Beer Week highlighted by a Stout Out on Friday, Feb. 16, featuring 12 Michigan-made stouts on tap, including The B.O.B.’s own Tiramisu Stout, Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout and New Holland’s Dragons Milk Mexican Spice Cake — me, I’d go for Dark Horse Brewing’s Plead The 5th, before and after the dark day.

 

The Stout Out will include live music and smoked meats in addition to a tap takeover of the Michigan-made stouts. Beer sample tickets are $3 each, with $1 of each ticket sold being donated to Grand Rapids White Water.

 

For more information, visit thebobsbrewery.thebob.com .

 

And for those of you needing to make up for a bad Valentine’s Day …

 

Ann Arbor’s Wolverine State Brewing will be the featured beer selections at a special beer dinner at Blue Water Grill, located on Northland Drive, on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

 

The four-course dinner, with each course paired with a beer, includes: first two courses paired with Wolverine’s Pastoral Winter Lager and Tundra King West Coast IPL, a main course paired with a brew called Massacre 2015, and a desert course of an espresso chocolate torte paired with a brew called, of course, Barista.

 

The cost of the beer dinner is $45 per person.

 

For more information on the dinner and Blue Water Grill, visit thegilmorecollection.com .

 

 

For more information on Wolverine State Brewing, visit wolverinebeer.com .

 

On Tap: Railtown to move, expand (seating and brewing); KDaLe plans Creston tour

3-bottom, Beer, City of Kentwood, Food, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food
Railtown Brewing Company has announced it will be moving almost directly across 68th Street from its current location in Dutton, to the site of a now-torn down car wash. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Railtown Brewing Company has announced it will be moving almost directly across 68th Street from its current location in Dutton, to the site of a now-torn down car wash, and co-founder Gim Lee said the brewery hopes to be open by early summer.

 

Railtown’s Gim Lee

“The car wash is demolished and the footings are in,” Gim said Friday to WKTV. “In the next few weeks we hope to start seeing a structure form. … Some of the key gains from this new space is a kitchen, larger bar, more taps, more brewing capacity, reserved seating area availability, and patio. … The tap room will include a mezzanine with additional seating and space that can be reserved for parties and meetings.”

 

Gim and Justin Buiter opened the brewery in late 2014.

 

Railtown is located at 3555 68th St. SE, in Dutton but just across the border with Kentwood. Since it opened it has grown to be a 3,500-square-foot space at the east end of the Village Mall plaza. The brewery’s current tap room has 10 taps and usually 10 different brews available, and it distributes kegs to other restaurants.

 

For more information on Railtown Brewing Company, call the taproom at 616-881-2364 or visit railtownbrewing.com (leads to a Facebook page).

 

KD aLe plans two events in February

 

The Kent District Library’s adult KDaLe program — where educational talks goes down smooth with a little brew — has two programs planned for February.

 

First there will be a KDaLe Tap Takeover at Horrocks Market, 4455Breton Rd. SE, Kentwood, on Friday, Feb. 2, from 5-8 p.m. According to supplied information, area breweries from the Beer City Brewers Guild took KDL up on a challenge to create their own book-inspired beer. The program is for adults 21 and older.

 

Also, there will be a KDaLe Tour visit to Creston Brewery, 1504 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 6-9 p.m. The tour of Creston Brewery will also visitors to get a behind-the-scenes look at how beer is made. Discounts on food and beer will be available for all patrons who attend the tour. The program is for adults 21 and older.

 

For more information on KDaLe events, see www.kdl.org/events .

 

If you have news about Western Michigan craft breweries and distillers, drop us a line at ken@wktv.org.

 

Migrant Legal Aid program, State Sen. MacGregor on latest WKTV Journal: In Focus

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Food, Local Faces, Local Food, Non-Profits, ,

 

 

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of In Focus, the Grand Rapids based Migrant Legal Aid organization, specifically director/attorney Teresa Hendricks and attorney Ben O’Hearn, discuss their group’s work to protect migrant workers’ legal rights and to give voice to a sometimes silent portion of our community.

 

Also on the episode, Michigan State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District, which includes the City of Wyoming) talks with host Ken Norris about his work for efficient funding for the state’s foster care system as well as subjects ranging from the state’s term limits law to his volunteer work for “Volley for Mitchell”, a charity volleyball tournament which has raised more than $100,000 for Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.

 

 

 

The entire episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

The episode will continue its two week run Tuesday, Jan. 22 , at 6:30 p.m., and will again air on Thursday, also at 6:30 p.m., on WKTV channels but all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.

On Tap: Grey Skies Distillery set to release ‘Breakfast Rye’ whiskey

Beer, Entertainment, Food, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food
Irish coffee with a little maple-flavored whiskey, anyone?

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

In the mood for a little somethin’ somethin’ to get you going on our upcoming frigid winter days?

 


Gray Skies Distillery will release its first rye whiskey — Breakfast Rye — on Sunday, Dec. 3, at their Grand Rapids tasting room, and retailers, bars and restaurants across the state.

 

Not that I am advocating it first thing in the morning, as the name implies, but a little touch of maple-flavored whiskey in your Sunday morning coffee doesn’t sound like a bad idea.

 

Breakfast Rye whiskey was initially aged in charred new, oak barrels then finished for six months in maple syrup casks, according to supplied information, “imparting a subtle, sweet finish to the otherwise spicy rye spirit.”

 

The Breakfast Rye is the fourth spirit released by Grey Skies, following their Utility Vodka, Barrel Finished Gin, and Spiced Rum — after a tasting a fall event at Fulton Street Market, I can vouch for the uniqueness of the gin.

 

According to the distillery, the rye was created in collaboration with Grand Rapids’ BLiS Gourmet, which provided the maple syrup casks used to finish the whiskey. BLiS Gourmet makes Bourbon Barrel Maple syrup by aging raw Michigan maple syrup in old, rustic Kentucky bourbon barrels. After BLiS emptied the maple syrup, Gray Skies Distillery filled the barrels with rye whiskey to impart the maple character responsible for name Breakfast Rye.

 

“Breakfast Rye was named after someone remarked ‘it smells like breakfast’ while trying a sample,” Steve Vander Pol, co-owner of Gray Skies Distillery, said in supplied material. “We distill our rye whiskey from a high rye mash-bill consisting of 85 percent rye grain and 15 percent malted barley. The abundance of rye produces a spicy whiskey and we were thrilled to taste how maple compliments the spice to provide a complex spirit with a velvety mouthfeel and long, smooth finish.”

 

Vander Pol said that additional whiskey releases are planned next year, including Michigan Straight Bourbon whiskey and Michigan Straight Rye whiskey.

 

For more information about Gray Skies Distillery visit: grayskiesdistillery.com

 

Do you have Western Michigan brewery or distillery news? Email ken@wktv.org .

 

On Tap: Cedar Springs pub crawl or passport stops, your call after Black Friday 

Beer, Entertainment, Food, Going Local, Holidays, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Our Cities, Veterans,

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

After a hectic Black Friday, looking for something to do on Shop Local Saturday? The 3rd Annual Cedar Springs Pub Crawl will take place Saturday, Nov. 25, starting at 5 p.m.

 

Cedar Springs Brewing is the host of the event, with the two other venues in town being The Gun tavern and the American Legion Glen Hill Post 287 — Cedar Springs Brewing has great German beer and food — been there, done that; and I’m a member of the Cedar Springs’ American Legion, so I can vouch for the patriotic local color.

 

Oh, and by the way, speaking of Shop Local Saturday, CS Brewery’s home brew business next to the pub is have a sale on home brew supplied.

 

First, always have a designated driver when your pub crawling. But, second, if your more in the mood to get your Beer City Brewsader Passport book stamped, after a visit to Cedar Springs Brewing, there is also a couple of other north-of-Grand Rapids brew pubs worth a visit: the Rockford Brewing Company in … wait for it … Rockford; and the recently relocated and expanded Cellar Brewing Company in Sparta.

 

For more information on Cedar Spring Brewing and the pub crawl, visit csbrew.com . For more information on Rockford Brewing visit rockfordbrewing.com and for Cellar Brewing visit cellerbrewingco.com .

 

Local First organizes second annual Lakeshore Fork Fest at Coppercraft Distillery, Sept. 28

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Food, Going Local, Local Food, Upcoming Events, ,

Attendees invited to try samples from area restaurants, farms, specialty shops, and more

By Mieke Stoub, LocalFirst

 

Local First will host the second Lakeshore Fork Fest, presented by Coppercraft Distillery, on September 28 from 6-8:30 pm. This event, also held in Grand Rapids each fall, celebrates the local food system. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with food and beverage vendors and learn about ways to shift their dollars to strengthen the local food economy.

 

“Food naturally brings people together,” said Elissa Hillary, President of Local First. “Fork Fest helps the community bond with the people behind the agricultural abundance in West Michigan. It nurtures our connection to place.”

 

Each vendor will offer samples of their menu, which are included in the cost of admission. Chef Kelsey of Coppercraft and Chef Matthew of the Southerner will perform live cooking demonstration with ingredients from Visser Farms and Louise Earl Butcher. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch each chef prepare the dish and taste the finished product. Adult beverages will be available for purchase at the event.

 

Photo supplied

“We’re really excited to be involved with Fork Fest again,” said Paul Marantette, Restaurant & Tasting Room Manager of Coppercraft. “Farm-to-table and grain-to-glass are our main messages, so this event means a lot to us.”

 

Fork Fest welcomes folk musician Megan Dooley, a Kalamazoo native, and the Holland Arts Council, who will bring their ArtCart for the kids. Complimentary valet provided by At Your Service Valet.

 

In addition to connecting the community to the people who feed it, Fork Fest is an annual fundraiser for the Local First Educational Foundation. Each year, the Education Foundation hosts this and other events such as the Lakeshore Street Party and the Measure What Matters workshops to lead the development of an economy grounded in local ownership that meets the basic needs of people, builds local wealth and social capital, functions in harmony with our ecosystem, and encourages joyful community.

 

Food vendors

  • Country Winds Farm, Goat Share + Creamery
  • Cultured Love
  • Distinctive Dining Solutions
  • Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars – Holland
  • Heffron Farms
  • JK’s Bakehouse & Deli
  • Lemonjello’s Coffee
  • Sandy Point Beach House
  • The Southerner
  • Thornburg and Company

Entertainment

  • Live music from Megan Dooley
  • Cooking demonstrations by Coppercraft and The Southerner
  • Holland Area Arts Council’s ArtCart

Beverages for purchase from

  • Coppercraft Distillery
  • Farmhaus Cider Co.
  • Fenn Valley Winery
  • Tripelroot

Event Details

  • Tuesday, September 28
  • 6:00-8:30pm
  • Coppercraft Distillery, 184 120th Avenue, Holland, MI 49423

Admission: $30 presale; $35 at the door; free for kids 10 and under

 

Tickets at localfirst.com/events/lakeshore-fork-fest.

 

Michigan Distilled brings spirits of West Michigan’s best to Grand Rapids

3-bottom, Beer, Entertainment, Food, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Upcoming Events, , ,
Beer is not the only game in town at local establishments, even at ones who are famous for their craft beers, such as New Holland Brewing and Spirits. (Courtesy New Holland Spirits)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Everybody who enjoys a good pint of pale ale, and many who wouldn’t know a lager from a stout, knows West Michigan has some of the best craft beer brewing in the country — they do not call Grand Rapids a “Beer City” for no reason.

 

But you probably have to be a pretty connected cocktail drinker to know that the state’s craft distilleries are also rapidly becoming known as a source for some of the best distilled liquors anywhere.

 

A toast and tasting at New Holland Spirits — don’t worry there is plenty more where that came from. (Courtesy New Holland Spirits)

“Michigan distilleries are absolutely becoming recognized as one of the country’s best regions for distilled spirits,” said Brad Kamphuis, director of distillery operations at New Holland Spirits, a sister company to New Holland Brewing. “We have a great customer base in Michigan that wants to know what they are drinking and who made it. It has really driven creativity and authenticity into the distilling process.”

 

Anybody familiar with the taste of West Michigan small-batch gin in their summer gin and tonics knows exactly what Kamphuis is talking about when he says “authenticity” in the process.

 

Anybody who is not familiar will get a chance this Friday, Sept. 15, when the Michigan Craft Distillers Association hosts the inaugural Michigan Distilled festival, featuring craft spirits and cocktails made around the state — alongs with food and music.

 

The event will run from 6-10 p.m., under the pavilion at Fulton Street Farmers Market, 1145 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids.

 

Among the nearly two dozen distilleries from across the state expected to be present include local Grand Rapids area companies Bier Distillery, Grey Skies Distilling Co., and Long Road Distillers. Food will be provided by Slows Bar BQ, New Holland’s The Knickerbocker, Journeyman Distillery and Long Road Distillers.

 

Music to be provided include local favorites Megan Dooley, The Bootstrap Boys, Cønrad Shøck + the Nøise.

 

The possibilities are not endless for craft distilled liquor at local distillers, but close. (Courtesy Long Road Distillers)

And Kyle Van Strien of Long Road also sees the “local focus” of West Michigan distillers as being more than just where the distilling takes place.

 

While “our spirits are gaining national and international attention,” Van Strien said. “We have an abundance of high quality, local agriculture that we can use to create world-class spirits right at home.”

 

General admission tickets are $40 and include five 3-ounce batch cocktails or ¼-ounce samples of spirits available from each distillery.

 

A special VIP Hour will be offered from 5-6 p.m. when guests will be offered “an enhanced experience with handcrafted cocktails and a chance to meet with local bartenders and mixologists,” according to supplied material. VIP tickets are $75 — and include a swag bag and commemorative logo cup to prove your are “experienced”.

 

Designated driver tickets will be sold at the gate for $5 each. Attendees must be 21 and valid photo ID is required for entry.

 

For more information and tickets visit MiDistilled.com.

 

Beer news: Perrin’s birthday party, new Beer Explorers, CSBC wins in London

3-bottom, Beer, Entertainment, Food, Local Food, ,
Plenty is happening this month on a the local beer scene — here is just a taste. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Perrin Brewing’s 5-year anniversary party this week is just the first up on the “what’s on tap” beer list at Grand Rapids area breweries this month as the Grand Rapids Public Museum will also offer another trip with its Beer Explorers and, English beer lovers, London (England) is taking notice of Cedar Springs Brewing Company.

 

Comstock Park’s Perrin Brewing will celebrates five years of craft beer brewing and drinking on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the brewery’s backyard with live music entertainment, food trucks, specialty beers, vendors — and the annual corn hole tournament.

 

The live music entertainment line-up includes: 4 p.m., Paradise Outlaw; 4:55 p.m., hi-ker; 5:50 p.m., Miss Atomic; 6:45 p.m., The Crane Wives; 8:15 p.m., Jake Kershaw; and at 9:50 p.m., Papa Vegas.

 

If you haven’t seen/heard The Crane Wives, do so; the band’s show may be the highlight of the day.

 

The local food trucks scheduled to attend will include Blue Spoon Catering, Daddy Pete’s BBQ, Ice Box Brand Ice Cream, Patty Matters, Pizzaiolo, and What the Truck.

 

The party kicks off the general public at 4 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the gate, open to ages 21 years of age and older. Chairs and blankets are welcome just no outside coolers or beverages. Tickets are available in the Perrin Pub or on EventBrite.

 

Perrin Brewery is located at 5910 Comstock Park Dr NW. For more information visit perrinbrewing.com/

 

‘Back to Beer School’ coming to pubic museum’s Beer Explorers program

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will continue its Beer Explorers program with “Back to Beer School” on Thursday, Sept. 21, with six local breweries scheduled to be represented.

 

Representatives — with tastes/pours — from Perrin Brewing Co., Elk Brewing, Founders Brewing Co., Speciation Artisan Ales, Brewery Vivant and Creston Brewery will be present to talk about various types of beer and what goes into making each of their beers. Although each brewery offers many of the same styles of beers, each beer is crafted differently to bring out unique flavors.

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)

Back to Beer School will find each brewery bringing a special brew that was inspired by something within the museum’s collections. Throughout the evening, participants will explore the three floors of the Museum, stopping at different brewery bars to enjoy their samples. Brewers will be available to answer questions and give insights on their beers. Each brewery will have also a special bread made by local bakery Field and Fire to accompany their beer.

 

The evening will begin with a short presentation from the GRPM’s Chief Curator, Alex Forist, who will use artifacts from the museum’s collections to talk about the Grand Rapids history as Beer City.

 

Tickets to Beer Explorers’ Back to Beer School are $20 for non-members. Tickets include six samples, one from each brewery. A cash bar will also be available. Participants must be 21 and older. Tickets can be purchased at grpm.org/Calendar.

 

The museum is located at 272 Pearl Street, NW. For additional information visit www.grpm.org.

 

Cedar Springs Brewing Company a hit at London’s World Beer Awards

 

Cedar Springs Brewing Company announced in August that it had earned three “Best in the U.S.” titles in the World Beer Awards international competition, held in London, England. The contest is the third international competition the two-year-old brewery has entered and placed in.

 

The awards were for their Küsterer Original Weissbier, named “Best Bavarian Hefeweiss” in the U.S., Küsterer Salzburger Märzen, named “Best Seasonal German Pale” in the U.S. and Küsterer Weizenbock, named “Best Strong Wheat Beer” in the U.S.

 

Speaking from experience as Cedar resident and a Stammtisch Cub member from its opening, the weizenbock is both strong and very good.

 

“We are thrilled to once again have been recognized for the quality of our Bavarian and German style beers by an international judging organization,” David Ringler, “Director of Happiness” for the brewery, said in supplied material.

 

“Very few Americans have had the chance to truly experience some of these styles if they haven’t traveled to Europe,” Ringler added. “We want to do justice to these styles.”

 

Cedar Springs Brewing Company is located at 95 N Main, Cedar Springs. For more information visit csbrew.com/

 

On Tap: Beer Explorers goes Mindbender and Polish Festival coming

3-bottom, Beer, Food, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, ,
Think you can solve the puzzle at Mindbender Mansion? Maybe beer will help. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Mindbending beer and Polish beer are both on tap for August — and, no, they are not the same thing.

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will offer a special Beer Explorers experience on Aug. 15 titled “Puzzles & Pints!”, when adults, 21 and older, can enjoy craft beer while trying to solve puzzles, games and brainteasers in the museum’s “Mindbender Mansion” exhibit.

 

According to supplied information, “Mindbender Mansion” includes more than 45 individual and group brain teasers, puzzles and tricky problems to solve all in a unique exhibit setting. Visitors to this fun and quirky mansion are invited to join the Mindbender Society by gathering hidden clues and secret passwords scattered throughout the various thematic rooms of the house.

 

“Puzzles & Pints” will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m., with the bar available until 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $4 for Museum members, $11 for Kent County residents and $14 for non-members. Tickets include one craft beer, and admission to “Mindbender Mansion” and  all three floors of the Museum to explore. A cash bar will be available for additional drinks.

 

For more information and tickets visit grpm.org.

 

Polish Festival, beer tent, coming Aug. 25-27

 

Polka and beer. What is not to like?

Grand Rapids’ Rosa Park Circle will host the 2017 Polish Festival Friday to Sunday, Aug. 25-27, with Polish fun, and beer; Polish food, and beer; Polish music, and beer; and Polish beer — did I mention there will be beer?

 

According to the hosts, the Polish Heritage Society of Grand Rapids, the festival will include cooking demonstrations, a Polish dance group, non-stop music (primarily polkas), children’s activities on Saturday, a Busia contest on Sunday, famously delicious Polish food and a beer tent featuring Polish beer. There will be Polish merchandise available for purchase including beautiful Polish pottery, amber jewelry, Polish glass, Polish baked goods, and a variety of T-shirts.

 

Part of the proceeds from the festival award students of Polish descent scholarships to Grand Valley State and Aquinas colleges, Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University.

 

The festival is free and open to the public. For more information visit polishheritagesociety.com

 

‘Grandwich 2017’ is here — help pick the best Grandwich in the City!

3-bottom, Food, Local Food, Upcoming Events,

By C. Davis

 

Get out there and eat — and vote for your favorite Grandwich!

 

The Grandwich competition is a battle between area restaurants, delis, cafes, bakeries, etc. to create a sandwich that earns the title sandwich of the year for Grand Rapids, or “Grandwich”. Each participating business creates their version of what the Grandwich should be. It doesn’t have to be a savory, lunch time food. It can be a breakfast sandwich, a dessert sandwich. You get the idea.

 

Here’s how it works: Participating businesses put their sandwiches on their menus and the public goes to each establishment and vote on their favorite sandwiches. The top 10 sandwiches will go on to a judging event where a panel of judges will determine the winning sandwich.

 

This year’s Grandwich public vote runs from July 5th thru July 21st. The top ten finalists will be announced on the Grandwich website and social media outlets on July 24th. The competition will conclude with the third annual judges tour of the top ten restaurants on July 27th.

2017 Official Grandwich Particpants:

  • 7 Monks Taproom
  • Anna’s House
  • Blue Dog Tavern
  • Brick and porter
  • Cheshire Kitchen
  • Crepes by the Lakes
  • Dad’s Classic Grill
  • Elk Brewing LLC
  • Fishlads of Grand Rapids
  • Flat Landers
  • Furniture City Creamery
  • GP Sports @ Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
  • Grand Rapids Brewing Company
  • Grand Woods Lounge
  • Hopcat Grand Rapids
  • Long Road Distillers
  • Matchbox Diner and Drinks
  • Mazo
  • Peppinos Pizzeria and Sports Grille
  • Rockwell Republic
  • San Chez Bistro
  • Slows BBQ
  • Social Kitchen & Bar
  • Stella’s Lounge
  • Sub Shack
  • Tavern on The Square
  • Terra GR
  • The B.O.B.
  • The Bull’s Head Tavern
  • The Holiday Bar
  • The Knickerbocker New Holland Brewing Co
  • Two Scotts Barbecue
  • Wheelhouse

How it all started

In 2011, Nicole Infante first presented the idea for Grandwich at a 5×5 Night competition. Since then, this sandwich competition has grown with support from local organizations who wanted to help make Infante’s concept a reality. Over 50 different businesses have competed in the competition’s six years of existence, many returning year after year to take their shot at the “Grandwich Winner” title.

 

 

 

Local international market Russo’s to return ‘home’ downtown, open 2nd location

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Food, Local Business, Local Food,
Kentwood area’s Russo’s market — shown in 1949 at it original downtown Division Street block, plans to open a second market. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Russo’s International Market, located on 29th Street in Grand Rapids but right on the City of Kentwood border, has announced plans to open a second location in downtown Grand Rapids — a return home, of sorts, according to the company’s president.

 

“Since opening in 1905, my grandfather made it his mission to serve the Grand Rapids community. Our first location was on Division in what was known as ‘Little Italy’,” Phil Russo, president of Russo’s International Market, said in supplied material. “When we needed more room, we opened up on 29th Street. … We always knew we would return to our roots and this second location will allow us to serve the downtown community as we once did 112 years ago.”

 

Russo’s International Market, located on 29th Street on the City of Kentwood border, has not plans to close its current location. (Supplied)

The new location is planned for the former Bagger Dave’s location at 241 W. Fulton St. The new location is in the city planning and approval stage at this time. According to a company spokesperson, “there are no plans to close the 29th Street location” with the opening of the downtown location.

 

The market is also plans to expand its offerings with the new location by adding a restaurant, coffee bar and a gelato bar in addition to the market, deli and beverage products currently available at the 29th Street store.

 

Russo’s is a family-owned business — for many years it was named “G.B. Russo & Son” — and the family plans to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration once approval and construction is finished. Russo’s International Market is currently run by the 3rd and 4th generation of the Russo family.

 

A big reason for the decision to expand back into downtown, according to a release from the company, is the expansion of residential offerings in the area and other economic factors.

 

According to the Russo’s release, “with the growing number of downtown residents, the need for retail options within the downtown area is evident.”

 

According to Downtown Grand Rapids, 183 residential units were added to the downtown Grand Rapids area in 2015, with an additional 1,437 proposed units to be developed shortly after. With the addition of the proposed units, downtown Grand Rapids would house 5,201 residential units. Downtown Grand Rapids’ goal is to reach 10,000 residential units within the downtown area by 2025.

 

“The Grand Rapids community has been so devoted to our family-business throughout the years, and our goal is to continue to serve the community to the best of our ability, Russo said. “We realized the lack of offerings for downtown residents, and this gave us the opportunity to return to downtown Grand Rapids and serve the growing residential population,” said Russo.

 

The Fulton Street location is in addition to the store’s existing 18,000 sq. ft. location on 29th Street, which was purchased in 1976, and expanded in 2008. The expansion comes nearly two months after a rebrand to commemorate the company’s historic 112 years in Grand Rapids. For more information visit russosgr.com .

 

Historic family-owned Italian grocer celebrates 112 years in West Michigan

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Food, Local Business, Local Faces, Local Food,

By Jeremy Witt

 

Family-owned Italian grocer, G.B. Russo & Son, has announced a rebrand to commemorate the company’s history dating back to 1905.

 

For 112 years the Russo family has been committed to the Grand Rapids community by offering one of the largest selection of wine and gourmet food; craft beer and liquor, kitchenware, homemade Italian entrees and more. G.B. Russo & Son will now be known as Russo’s International Market. Russo’s will host a variety of giveaways, in-store events, and promotions spanning over a three-month period. A community celebration will be held in May.

 

“My grandfather left Montelepre, Sicily at the age of 17 and by 20 years of age had opened his first store in East Grand Rapids,” said Phil Russo, President of Russo’s International Market.

 

“He made it his mission to serve the community and fed many through the Great Depression regardless of background or race. He was an entrepreneur and risk-taker and in spite of natural disasters, the Great Depression and race riots, the store continued to prosper and expand to make us what we are today.”

 

In 2008, the business doubled the size of the store to 18,000 square feet and expanded parking at the 29th Street location. Today, the store has a 45-foot deli case with over 300 meats and cheeses from around the world, olives, fresh baked breads, oils, private label pastas and sauces, homemade Villa Russo frozen entrees, a vast selection of craft beers and liquor, thousands of wines, kitchenware and more.

 

Russo’s International Market is currently run by the 3rd and 4th generation of the family and in the past few years the business has expanded to include:

  • Catering for events, business meetings and more
  • Wine delivery
  • Custom corporate gifts
  • In-store educational beverage tasting events and more
  • A large selection of Michigan and Grand Rapids products
  • Additional private-labeled items
  • Expanded homemade products such as sandwiches, dips, sauces, breads and more

“In honor of our anniversary we will share history on Grand Rapids in the 1900s while celebrating the present and future endeavors,” said Kelley Russo of Russo’s International Market.

 

“It is our goal to constantly reinvent ourselves as my great-grandfather would’ve encouraged us to do.”

 

Historic Items of Note:

  • In 1908, Giovanni Russo moved the store to Division near Franklin. This area was once known as Little Italy. At that location, he owned apartments, Roma Dance Hall, Grand Rapid’s first pizzeria, a pasta-making factory, and warehouse.
  • In 1914, a near kidnapping of his 18-month-old daughter by the Black Hands Gang was thwarted by the Russo nanny. The gang went on to threaten and harass the family until the Grand Rapids City Police were able to build a case, with Giovanni’s help. The Grand Rapids Press wrote an article dated Nov. 5, 2914, that stated: “It was through Russo’s activities and his disregard for the Black Hand warning that enabled police to capture the gang.”
  • Russo established Roma Hall above the store on Division during the Great Depression and prohibition era. Throughout the Hall’s history, Giovanni rented it to anyone, regardless of ethnicity or status, for dances, weddings, dinners and jam sessions featuring the likes of Ray Charles and Jimmy Reed.
  • Known musicians such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Mary Wells performed for Roma Hall audiences in the 1950s and 60s.
  • Due to Giovanni’s acceptance of all races and economic backgrounds, his was the only business on the block not burned down during the race riots of the 1960s.

Visit Russo’s Facebook page for more information.

 

Kentwood 50: Railtown’s golden ale a natural fit for celebration

3-bottom, Beer, City of Kentwood, Food, Going Local, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, , , , ,
Railtown Brewing’s Gim Lee, at the brewery’s tap room, will be serving up some spacial Kentwood 50 golden ale this year. (K.D. Norris/WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Following the City of Kentwood’s special City Commission meeting Monday, held as the kickoff event of the year-long Kentwood 50 celebration of the city’s 50th anniversary, the reception was held at Railtown Brewing Company and the beer of choice was — naturally — a golden ale brewed with a touch of mango.

 

Two reasons for the beer being the natural choice of the celebration: a 50-year anniversary is considered a “golden” anniversary, and the brew was the pick of some staff at the city’s Park and Recreation Department, which has, shall we say, a relationship with the 2-year-old Railtown.

 

The addition of the mango flavor? Well, the parks people also liked it so that was good enough for the brewery.

 

“A lot of the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department are actually mug clubbers here, they have a mug on the wall over there, they are just regulars,” said Gim Lee, who along with his partner Justin Buiter opened the brewery in late 2014. “They are friends and they asked if we would like to do something special (for the anniversary celebration) and we said ‘absolutely.’

 

“A group of them came, we sat down and collaborated on what they were celebrating and what kind of beer would work with that. They threw a whole bunch of different styles on the table, what they might want to try. They, as a team, actually landed on the golden ale — this is their golden 50th — and the mango being a golden fruit, that would be a perfect pairing. They wanted something unique and mango is a flavor not used too frequently.”

 

Railtown is located at 3555 68th St., in Dutton but just across the border with Kentwood. Since it opened it has grown to be a 3,500-square-foot space at the east end of the Village Mall plaza. The brewery’s tap room has 10 taps and usually 10 different brews available, and it has started to distribute kegs to other restaurants.

 

While the special Kentwood 50 brew was tapped at Monday’s invite-only opening ceremony reception, Lee said it would be available to the public — just maybe not until they brew up some more.

 

“We will have it on and off throughout the year, so people should be able to come in here and get it through the rest of the week — assuming we do not blow it out that first night,” he said. “We’ll see.”

 

If you fill the special Kentwood 50 growler at Railtown Brewing a donation will be made to the city’s Park and recreation department. (Supplied)

Also debuting on the night of the reception were growlers with a special logo, which are part of the brewery’s continuing support of the Kentwood 50 event. The brewery will be donating a portion of its growler sales as the celebration continues.

 

“We are raising some money for the parks and recreation department by doing this,” Lee said. “When you buy a growler, we will be donating a couple bucks back to parks and recreation every time you fill that growler, regardless of what beer it is. It doesn’t have to be the golden ale. This will be an on-going promotion.”

 

As far as the process of developing the new brew, Lee admitted it was pretty much like Railtown decides on any beer it brews — they like to drink it, so they know other people will like to like to drink it. Although, he said, this time they had to satisfy more tastebuds than just the staff’s.

 

“We have brewed golden ales, we have done a lot of that. That part is easy,” he said. “We took a different golden ale, we racked it off to what is called a firkin, a 10-gallon cask, it is an old-fashioned way of serving beer. In the firkin you can dose whatever you want in it, that is part of the fun of using a firkin — you can add a little fruit, extra hops, a little coffee, whatever you want. It is a really good way to experiment with different flavors. … based on that, that flavor profile, we can scale it up to a bigger scale” for brewing.

 

“The (Kentwood 50) beer has been done for quite a while, and that was intentional,” he said. “I wanted to make sure if they did not like it at all, I would have time to brew something else if I had to. Its been done for a month. They came in and tried it, and I tried it, and my brewers tried it. We all thought it was pretty nice.”

For more information on Railtown Brewing Company, call the taproom at 616-881-2364 or visit railtownbrewing.com (leads to a Facebook page).

 

Chick-fil-A set to open Wyoming store on 54th St. SW

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Food, Local Business, Local Food
The family-friendly overnight First 100 party at the Gaines Township opening on Jan. 9 had 66 people get in line at the 24-hour mark. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff

 

Chick-fil-A this week will open its second Western Michigan restaurant in the New Year, with a new Wyoming location set to open Thursday, Feb. 9, at 700 54th St. S.W., in front of the Meijer supermarket at 54th and Clyde Park Drive SW. The fast-food chain opened a restaurant in Gaines Township in January.

 

As with its Gaines Township opening, the Wyoming restaurant will feature a community “First 100” camp out, where people camp out and wait in line to earn one of the 100 prizes of a year of free Chick-fil-A food, as well as an opportunity to donate books to the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids.

 

The family-friendly overnight First 100 party at the Gaines Township opening had 66 people get in line at the 24-hour mark despite the early evening freezing rain and snow flurries that continued through the next morning, according to supplied material.

 

This community event is open to guests residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. A complete listing of eligible zip codes and rules can be found at www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/Openings
The donated books will be placed in a nearly 3-foot Book House, built from reclaimed wood, to serve as a free library exchange and will be given to the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids. Since 2014, Chick-fil-A has collected more than 33,500 children’s books which have been donated to 213 local organizations in 42 states and Washington, D.C., according to supplied material.

 

The Wyoming restaurant is the second of three scheduled to open in Western Michigan within six weeks of each other. The first opened Jan. 12, in Gaines Township off the M-6 and Kalamazoo Exit. The third location is opening Feb. 23, in Portage/Kalamazoo at 6202 S. Westnedge Ave.

 

Chick-fil-A opens in Gaines Twp.; Wyoming store coming

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Is was cold in Bloomington, Minn., in 2013 when people lined up outside a soon-to-open Chick-fil-A; it likely will be cold in Gaines Twp. when a new store opens this week. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff

 

A Chick-fil-A restaurant will be coming to Wyoming soon, but those who want their first taste of the menu can sample it this week as the first of several West Michigan franchises opens on Thursday, Jan. 12.

 

This week’s opening is at 1545 Edgeknoll Dr., S.E., off the M-6 and Kalamazoo Avenue exit, just south of Wyoming city line in Gaines Township. The City of Wyoming store, located at 700 54th St., S.W, is currently scheduled for a February opening.

 

As with other store openings nationwide, the Gaines Township store will also provide an opportunity for 100 people to win free meals for a year, as well as the ability for the community to donate books to a local youth organization, according to supplied material.

 

According to supplied material, the “First 100” party is a “family friendly” event where people will line up — even camp out overnight — to earn a meal a week for a year. The event is open to persons residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. (Eligible zip codes and rules are available at www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/Openings).

 

The donated books will be place in a “Book House” built from reclaimed wood, and will serve as a free library exchange. Chick-fil-A has collected more than 27,000 children’s books which have been donated to 162 local organizations since 2014, according to supplied material.

 

Wyoming’s Kitzingen Brewery to host KD aLe tour

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Wyoming’s Kitzingen Brewery will host a visit from the Kent District Library’s KD aLe program this week. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

The Kent District Library’s continuing KD aLe program will visit Wyoming’s Kitzingen Brewery on Wednesday, Jan. 11, for a brewery tour — and a little taste of Kitzingen’s speciality: German beers and German food.

 

The event beings at 7 p.m. The brewery is located at 1760 44th St SW.; Suite 8A; in the Chateau Centre strip mall. Attendees receive a discount on beer when you show your library card.

 

The beers produced by Kitzingen brewmaster Rommie Bailey include between 9 and 15 brews on tap, including an IPA, a stout and a seasonal authentic Hefeweizen, according to its website: “We’re inspired by the proud German brewing tradition but we will give it a healthy twist of the innovative American craft brewing spirit,” Bailey said.

 

For more information on Kitzingen Brewery call 616-805-5077 of visit Kitzingen-Brewery.com . For more information on the library’s KD aLe program visit KDL.org

 

Wyoming set to have a brew, or two, with TwoGuys Brewery

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Owner and brewmaster Tom Payne is in the process of renovating two buildings in the Wyoming Park area for TwoGuys Brewing (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

After nearly 10 years of working a small business plan, and recent action by the City of Wyoming, TwoGuys Brewing has taken over an old firehouse and a rundown one-time 7-Eleven convenience store in the Wyoming Park neighborhood and — with any luck to match hard work — should be serving up craft beer for guys and gals who like microbrews in 2017.

 

Tom Payne of TwoGuys Brewery. (WKTV)

“Now its about six months of demolition and renovation, were we turn this ugly old 7-Eleven into a beautiful tap room,” Tom Payne, managing partner and brewmaster of TwoGuys Brewing, said Nov. 10 at a friends-and-neighbors open house at what will be the new brewpub. “We are hopeful for September 1” to open.

 

“This business came about about 10 years ago,” he said. “I realized I was not just another home brewer, at least I did not think so. I had entered beer in outside competition, outside of just (treating) my normal friends, and it was taken very well. I said ‘You know what? I think we’ve got something here.’ And then my wife and I, after hours and hours of talking, we said ‘This is something we are going to do.’ At that time we put together a 10-year plan, and we are at the end of that 10 years. It is time for TwoGuys Brewing to open.”

 

An old 7-Eleven story will become TwoGuys Brewery’s taproom. (WKTV)

Opening the brewery and brewpub involved the leasing of two buildings located across from each other on Porter Street SW, the old 7-Eleven at 2356 Porter Street SW and an unused fire station at 2385.

 

An old city fire station will become TwoGuys Brewery’s brew house. (WKTV)

The leasing of the fire station to Tamaz LLC (an LLC doing business as TwoGuys Brewery) by the city was part of three actions taken by the Wyoming City Council in late November. The actions included granting the business a liquor license, a waiver of city zoning code to allow for the sale of alcohol within a certain distance from a church or residential area, and the lease of the old fire station, which had been used by the city for a meter shop and a temporary laboratory but was currently vacant.

 

City support of business

 

“The City of Wyoming has been absolutely instrumental in this,” Payne said. “We approached the city three or four months ago, we completely laid out our business plan and what we wanted to bring to Wyoming Park. They put together a timeline … a ‘we need you to do this and we need you to do this’, and we have done everything the city has asked for. … They have been fantastic.”

 

Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt made clear the reason for the city’s actions:

 

“Our region is increasingly embracing craft beer,” Holt said. “You can look around our community and see the many brewpubs that have sprung up over the last five years. We are pleased that TwoGuys Brewing has identified Wyoming as its location and feel that it will be a welcomed by the neighbors — and by Wyoming residents in general.”

 

Several of those neighbors visited the open house on Dec. 10 as well, and Payne said he expects to be an attribute to the neighborhood.

 

“The biggest reason (for placing their business in Wyoming) is that this is where we live, my wife and I,” he said. “I grew up in Wyoming Park. I graduated from Wyoming Park. I have lived, aside from my time in the Marine Corps, in this area and it has always been my home. When we decided to open up our brewery, it was going to be where we live and provide our neighbors with something they could certainly be proud of.”

 

About that name …

 

And the name of of TwoGuys? Where did it come from?

 

“10 years ago, there was me and one of my best friends, Charlie, I had gotten him started brewing,” he said. “So, long story (made short), we entered another competition and took best of show on an IPA (India Pale Ale), which at the time had no name. We brewed this beer at Founders. We brewed 10 barrels having won the best of show. … About half an hour before tapping, Founders said ‘You guys need to name this thing something.’ I told them ‘Its just the two of us, we are just two guys, so how about TwoGuys IPA?’”

 

Now, though, the name takes on another context, Payne said.

 

“Our TwoGuys, today, is, well … everybody’s two guys. You’re the other guy. My grandson is the other guy. Everybody is the other guy. I am just one guy. It is all about community, which is what brought us to Wyoming Park. … I will consider every guest that comes into these doors, starting next year, as the family, as the other guy.”

 

Plans at this point the business will focus on an array of craft-brewed beers — maybe wines, meads and sodas — as well as what the business calls a “pub-centric” menu of food. Payne’s brewer pedigree includes his having been involved with Osgood Brewing in Grandville as well as head brewer at 57 Brewpub and Bistro in Greenville.

 

“We are going to focus on traditional styles, beers that you don’t necessarily find everywhere else,” he said. “A lot of English style ales that no one brews around here …  I am not knocking any other brewery in town, there are some fantastic ones, but it is going to be all about the other guy, what they like.”

 

Tentatively, seating at the brewpub will be for about 80 with a possible outdoor patio planned. The property has about 18 parking spaces in front, with about 50 possible behind the building and another 25 or so across the street at the old firehouse.

 

Start off your New Year right — take a few healthy (and fun) cooking classes!

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Experience the magic of the season, Downtown Market-style and check out the January 2017 class schedule below for your next fun food experience.

 

weekly_meal_prep_550_275_90WEEKLY MEAL PREP

Wed, January 4, 6-8:30 pm • $60

 

You’ll prepare enough meals to get through the entire week. Learn how to make root vegetable chorizo enchiladas, rustic pasta bake, autumn squash soup, pork vegetable stir-fry and a hearty beef stew. At the end of class you’ll head home with containers filled to the brim with scrumptious delights.

 

REGISTER

 

fitness_foods_550_367_90

FITNESS FOODS

Thu, January 5, 6-8:30 pm • $60

 

If you’re an athlete or trying to live a healthy lifestyle but are having a hard time being creative with food, this class is for you. You’ll make a multigrain Moroccan chicken stew, whole grain pasta salad with winter vegetables and a filling shake with banana, chocolate and peanut butter.

 

REGISTER

 

juice_550_275_90INTRODUCTION TO JUICING WITH MALAMIAH JUICE BAR

Sun, January 8, 10 am-12 pm, • $45

 

Join Malamiah Juice Bar as they introduce you to the practice of juicing in order to get the maximum nutrients from your fruits and vegetables. You’ll learn about the health benefits of juicing all while creating delicious juice combinations with targeted health benefits. Plus, you’ll learn how to include boosters and enjoy ample samples.
REGISTER

 

knife_vegetable_550_275_90KNIFE SKILLS: VEGETABLE BUTCHERY

Tue, January 10, 10 am-12:30 pm • $60

Tue, January 10, 6-8:30 pm • $60

 

Vegetables aren’t just a side dish, in this class they are a rock star! You’ll learn proper techniques on how to select, prep, slice and dice, and then masterfully cook a variety of vegetables—from beets (smashed and seared with chimichurri and goat cheese crema) to zucchini (zucchini olive oil cake with lemon drizzle).

 

REGISTER FOR 10a
REGISTER FOR 6p

 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE DOWNTOWN MARKET’S JANUARY CALENDAR

 

 

Meet the folks of Full Hollow Farm

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This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Photos courtesy of Full Hollow Farm website

 

There’s a small family farm in Belding, Mich. where a wide variety of vegetables and an ever-expanding selection of fruit grow. It’s called Full Hollow Farm and it’s an understatement to say that owners Jamie Wibraham and Brad Smith aren’t afraid of hard work. They use only earth-friendly, sustainable growing practices, and biodiversity is encouraged. The farm is working towards Organic Certification.

 

Over the years, Wibraham and Smith have worked on seven different vegetable and fruit farms. They began their farming career in Michigan, moved through Kentucky and Pennsylvania, and eventually returned to West Michigan. Now in its second year, Full Hollow Farm is well-rooted and thriving. You can see, smell, touch and taste their produce at the Rockford Farmers Market when the market is in season.

 

Check out Full Hollow Farm’s website for photos, recipes and more. To visit their Facebook page, go here.

Tips on how to store, cook & prepare sweet potatoes

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Just in the nick of time for the holidays

sweet-potatoes-mThe sweet potato — a perennial holiday meal favorite — is one of only a few cultivated vegetable crops with origins in the Americas. Traced back to 8000 B.C. Peru, it’s neither a potato nor a yam but a rooted tuber and member of the morning glory family.

Prep
To prepare sweet potatoes, simply scrub the skin clean using a vegetable brush and running water to remove any dirt and grime. Then cut away any damaged areas.

Store
Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place for up to several weeks. Do not store in plastic or refrigerate. Temperatures below 50 degrees will cause off-flavors, and excess moisture will encourage sweet potatoes to rot or sprout prematurely. Resist the urge: Do not scrub clean or wash until just before preparation.

Cook
Sweet potatoes taste great baked, boiled, steamed, grilled or mashed.

Interested in trying new sweet potato recipes?
Highlighted this week: roasted pumpkin and sweet potato pilau, crispy sweet potato wedges, curried sweet potato apple soup and honey-roasted sweet potatoes with honey-cinnamon dip. Below is the recipe for Extra-crispy Sweet Potato Wedges. Get the other recipes.

Extra Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Ingredients

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled (or unpeeled, if you like skin) and cut into wedges
  • 2-½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 1-½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with tinfoil (shiny side up); place baking rack onto prepared baking sheet; set aside. Peel the sweet potatoes (if preferred) and cut off the pointy ends. Slice the sweet potatoes in half (lengthwise), then cut each piece into wedges. Place the sweet potato wedges in a large bowl, then add in the olive oil, salt, sugar, seasoning, and black pepper.

Mix well, making sure each wedge is coated with oil and spices. Arrange the sweet potato wedges in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, then turn on the broiler and bake for another 3-5 minutes, or until they’re well browned and crispy. Keep an eye here – it’s easy to burn when the broiler is on! Cool wedges on pan for 5 minutes, then serve at once.

cropped-wmggadm_logorgb1Recipe courtesy of Baker by Nature