Traverse City Record-Eagle

Life

November 9, 2009

Cook's Corner: Frankfort farmers go indoors

Also, vets get free buffet; local tastings

FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Frankfort Farmers Market continues. It's being held indoors at the Rec Center, Ninth and Main streets. This Saturday is squash day; find out how to enjoy squash in baked goods, soups, roasted and even in desserts. Interested vendors should call 882-5264. For more information, go to www.frankfortmich.com/currentevents.

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On Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., all veterans and present military personnel eat for free on the buffets at Rico's Cafe. The restaurant, 5790 U.S. 31 S. in Grawn, serves a breakfast buffet from 8 to 11 a.m. The lunch buffet runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and dinner buffet is served from 4 to 8 p.m. For more information, call 276-7070.

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Bowers Harbor Vineyards will be at the Cherry Stop Tuesday for a tasting with food pairings.

Tickets are $15. The Cherry Stop is at 211 W. Front St.; the event begins at 6 p.m. Call (800) 286-7209 for reservations.

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Cafe Crema, at the corner of Front and Park streets in downtown Traverse City, is hosting a coffee tasting Tuesday, 5-6 p.m., featuring Jason Hill, the roasting manager of Higher Grounds Coffee; 360-3227.

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The Signature Chefs event Oct. 12 raised more than $50,000 for the local March of Dimes.

More than 270 guests dined on food prepared by chefs from blu, Bowers Harbor Inn, Catch Island Grill, Crystal Mountain Resort, Fire Fly, Classic Fare Catering, The Boathouse, Trattoria Stella, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Hanna Bistro, Tuscan Bistro, Turtle Creek Casino, Traverse City Golf and Country Club, The Riverside Inn, Morsels, Corky's Wine Bar and Bistro, Phil's on Front, The Cooks' House and The Rowe Inn.

Phil Murray of Phil's On Front was named Top Chef. Paul Olson of Bowers Harbor Inn won Best Taste Chef and Jackie Cobb of the Hagerty Center was awarded Top Presentation.

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Cookie-baker Connie Turner, of Elmira, who bakes for the Treat The Troops organization, has once again been awarded a People Fund grant from Great Lakes Energy. Turner will use the $2,000 for postage and baking costs. She has baked and mailed 53,010 cookies from her home kitchen to troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait since December 2005.

If you'd like to help Turner, send a check to: Connie Turner, 3436 Tobias Road, Elmira MI 49730-9323. Her phone number is 584-3443.

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Phil's on Front, a downtown Traverse City restaurant and chocolate bar owned by chef Phil Murray across from the State Theatre, has launched its new Web site, www.philsonfront.com.

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TraVino, Traverse Wine & Grille, will hold a holiday bake sale in the lobby at 4341 E. M-72 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 24. Proceeds will be used to provide a happy Christmas to families "adopted" through the Women's Resource Center. There will be pies, cheesecakes, cookies, cakes, family-size portions and mix-and-match. For more information, call the restaurant at 938-9496.

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The Wineries of the Old MIssion Peninsula will donate 15 percent of all sales from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 12 to a variety of local charities. Black Star Farms will donate to the Grand Traverse Health Clinic. Bowers Harbor Vineyards will donate to the Cherryland Humane Society. Chateau Chantal will donate to Goodwill Inn. Chateau Grand Traverse will donate to the Women's Resource Center. Brys will donate to the Father Fred Foundation. Two Lads will donate to the Northwest Michigan Food Rescue. Peninsula Cellars will donate to the Northwest Michigan chapter of the American Red Cross.

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Do you have food news or questions? Send them to: Cook's Corner, Traverse City Record-Eagle, P.O. Box 632, Traverse City, MI 49685; call (231) 933-1511 or (800) 968-8273; or e-mail jtaylor@record-eagle.com.

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