It’s almost time for Mardi Gras and that means it’s already time for king cake.
Wadsworth chef John Schulze, owner of Zydeco Bistro food truck and a Louisiana transplant, has teamed up with Karl Hiss of Barberton’s Hiss Bakery to produce authentic king cakes.
Schulze said he has spent the last 20 years perfecting the recipe he got in culinary school in Louisiana and last year approached Hiss about making them on a large scale. They have been hard at work, creating two cakes, one a cinnamon braid and the other a cream cheese-filled round, both of which come in two sizes.
“I do not think anyone has a better product in the area, can produce them in quantity to order or say they are made with the skill that we have,” Schulze said.
If you want to judge for yourself, you can reach Hiss Bakery at 330-745-4222 or stop by 186 Second St. NW, Barberton. The cinnamon braid is $8 and $15, and the cheese-filled $10 and $18, depending on size.
New Asian food in Green
Amber Li’s Restaurant, 4195 Massillon Road, Green, opened Monday.
Owner Amber Hazel, a native of China, said she is offering a full menu of Asian favorites, including traditional Chinese fare, sushi, hibachi-grilled and Japanese dishes.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Phone 330-899-8856.
Shish kebabs in Wallhaven
Istocki’s Shish Kabob House has opened in Akron’s Wallhaven neighborhood, 77 Westgate Circle, which formerly housed a Heavenly Ham.
The owners are George Istocki, who also operates Euro Gyro at the University of Akron, and Stewart Arbogast, who is running day-to-day operations.
The eatery offers shish kebabs in chicken, beef and pork, along with gyros, other Greek and American foods and salads. There are 62 seats for eat-in dining. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Phone 330-869-2550.
Istocki said later this winter, he will open a second Shish Kabob House in the same building as Euro Gyro, on Exchange Street across from the UA stadium.
Cowell & Hubbard opens
Those heading to the theater in Cleveland will find a new place to eat.
Zack Bruell has opened his fifth restaurant, Cowell & Hubbard, in the PlayhouseSquare space that for more than 60 years was home to Cowell & Hubbard jewelry store at East 13th Street and Euclid Avenue.
Cowell & Hubbard is serving Bruell’s interpretation of modern French cuisine. Bruell also owns Cleveland’s Table 45, Chinato, L’Albatros and Parallax.
Cowell & Hubbard will be open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Phone 216-479-0555 for reservations or visit www. cowellandhubbard.com.
Market applications open
A sure sign that spring is on its way: The Countryside Conservancy is accepting applications for vendors for its Countryside Farmers’ Markets at Howe Meadow in Cuyahoga Falls and Highland Square in Akron.
The Howe Meadow market is open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, May 12 through Oct. 27. The Highland Square markets are 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays from May 31 to Oct. 4.
Applications are available at www.cvcountryside.org and will be accepted through March 23. For information, visit the site or call 330-657-2542.
The conservancy also is accepting registration for its course, Exploring the Small Farm Dream, which begins March 5 and continues for four Monday sessions at the Boston Store Visitor Center in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The course is for those who think they may be interested in starting a farm or agricultural business.
Instructors include Katie Myers-Griffith, farmland program manager at Countryside Conservancy and small-scale farmer in Wayne County; Tim Knorr, longtime CSA farm manager in Summit County; and Allison Preiss, owner of Apolloson Acres, a fruit orchard in Medina County.
For information or registration forms, contact Julie Gabelman at 330-657-2542, ext. 227, or jgabelman@ cvcountryside.org, or visit www. cvcountryside.org.
Deals in downtown Canton
Canton’s Downtown Special Improvement District is hosting its Downtown Deals Wednesday promotion through March 28.
Diners at participating restaurants will receive one half-priced entrée for each entrée purchased at regular price every Wednesday after 5 p.m. with a coupon. Coupons can be downloaded from www. DowntownCanton.com and must be presented at time of purchase.
Eleven restaurants are participating: Arcadia Grille, Bender’s Tavern, Desert Inn, Napoli’s Italian Eatery, Pete’s Grill & Pizza, Peter Shears Downtown, Picciano’s Martini Bar (appetizers only), Primo’s, Sports Therapy Bar and Grill, Thatsa Wrapp and Thorpe’s Grill at the McKinley Grand.
For details about Downtown Deals Wednesday, visit www.DowntownCanton.com, or contact Annette Rosenberg at annette@cantonchamber.org or 330-458-2092.
Wine event tickets on sale
Tickets are on sale for the March 9 Akron Wine Opener to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The evening will include plenty of wine and food from local restaurants, along with music and auctions. It will run from 7 to 10 p.m. at Rosemont Country Club, 3777 Rosemont Blvd., Fairlawn. Tickets are $65, or $110 for VIP, which includes a gift bag and an early tasting.
For information contact Suzanne Zak at 216-475-2873, or email her at szak@cff.org.
Mardi Gras dinner in Falls
The Falls Cancer Club will host its Mardi Gras Dinner on Feb. 17 at First Christian Church, 2253 Third St., Cuyahoga Falls.
Dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. and will include jambalaya, gumbo-style chicken creole, red beans and rice and king cake. There also will be beads and zydeco and Cajun music.
All profits will aid Falls Cancer Club patients. The club is a nonprofit organization that helps patients who live in Cuyahoga Falls pay their cancer-related bills.
Chili cook-off in Norton
The Kiwanis Club of Norton will host its 10th annual benefit Chili Cook-Off from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Norton Community Center, 4060 Columbia Woods Drive, Norton.
Anyone interested in entering should drop off chili at the center between 2 and 3 p.m. that day. Entry fee is $5, and prizes will be awarded.
Admission to the event is $5 for adults; $2.50 for children ages 3 to 10. Children age 2 and younger are free. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the Medicine Shoppe, Loyal Oak Animal Clinic or Crawford Insurance. Proceeds benefit the club’s scholarship fund for Norton High School students. For information, call 330-819-5658 or email NortonKiwanis@aol.com.
Wine tasting in Twinsburg
Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern in Twinsburg will host a wine tasting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 featuring wines from Gregory Graham.
The cost is $35 for five wines with food pairings plus tax and tip. Lisa Graham, the winemaker’s daughter, will attend. Call 330-486-2583 to reserve. Blue Canyon is at 8960 Wilcox Drive, Twinsburg,
Local cheese is exclusive
Kudos to Jean Mackenzie and Mackenzie Creamery of Hiram Township for being selected as the official goat cheese of the Culinary Vegetable Institute in Milan.
Operated by the Jones family, the CVI hosts some of the country’s most prominent chefs, who offer earth-to-table dinners with food raised at the Chef’s Garden farm. The farm, which practices sustainable agriculture, provides vegetables to restaurants throughout the world.
For information about the cheese, visit www. mackenziecreamery.com.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com.
