Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Your Kids Can Cook!

College is supposed to be a place of higher learning that prepares young people for the challenges of taking on a greater role as an adult in a civilized society. While there is no doubt the value of the degrees earned in those hallowed halls, one mom has a striking complaint about it all.

“How can you consider yourself educated and sophisticated if you don’t know how to cook a decent meal?” asked Hollis Ledbetter, author of OMG! I’m In College and I Never Learned to Cook (www.omgcookbooks.com). “Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for higher education for the purposes of being able to earn a living and contribute to the world around them, but I’ve never seen a college course titled ‘How to buy groceries, cook dinner and do your own laundry!’”

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Go Green with Gingerbread!

Green Gingerbread Houses – is there such a thing? Who doesn’t love making adorable gingerbread houses with the family or looking at the intricate works of professional gingerbread house architects?

“Imagine building your dream house with all the sustainable features possible. Only, instead of standard building materials, it would be made out of gingerbread,” said Jason West, director of development at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center (GEHC).

As part of its December Green Holiday Program, the GEHC will host its second annual Sustainable Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit. Designers will create environmentally friendly houses out of edible materials that highlight sustainability and green building design.

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Here’s Good News – It’s the Year of the Pie!

The Year of the Pie is upon us and there is more than one way to celebrate the trendiest dessert of 2011.  Whether you are a seasoned pie pro or a novice baker, the pros at the Crisco® Pie Hotline are serving up pie making advice and tips on the latest pie making trends for harried holiday bakers.

Whether struggling with weepy meringues or caved-in crusts, when it comes to pies, most bakers would appreciate a little expert advice. According to the 2010 Crisco National Pie Survey:

  • 59 percent of surveyed Americans said pie is the hardest dessert to prepare from scratch, followed distantly by cake (22 percent) and brownies (6 percent).

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

The Sugar Hill Bakery & Café Opens in Downtown Sugar Hill

The City of Sugar Hill recently announced the opening of a new restaurant on West Broad Street.  The Sugar Hill Bakery & Café is now open for breakfast and delivers delicacies not usually found on your average menu.

Chef Darien Horn will be turning out his specialties and has quite a resume as a former White House Chef.  Horn served under President Clinton, Vice President Gore and in the Bush administration under Vice President Cheney. He is the longest serving NEA to serve in that capacity. His first trip overseas was with President Clinton where he prepared a meal for the Polish Heads of State.

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Sugar Hill Christian Academy Announces Next Top Young Chef

The Next Top Young Chef winner Lyndsey Francingues and Atlanta radio and TV personality Tom Sullivan.

Sugar Hill Christian Academy recently announced the winner of  “The Next Top Young Chef” contest as 5th grader Lyndsey Francingues for her veggie bars.

As this year’s winner, Francingues received $100.00, gift certificates and her winning recipe to be featured on the menu at The Diner at Sugar Hill.

First taste of her veggie bars will be available at Sugar Hill Christian Academy Night on Sunday, October 16 at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Ashley Davis at 770-945-2845.

 
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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Newk’s Express Café Hosts Benefit for Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation

Newk’s Express Café in Lawrenceville will host a benefit for the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation on Thursday, Oct. 13 and Friday, Oct. 14 at the restaurant located at 911 Duluth Highway. The restaurant, which is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., will donate at least 10 percent of all sales from Oct. 13 and 14 to the foundation. They hope to raise more than $3,000.

“We just opened in August so having a benefit for the hospital, which is right across the street from us, is a great way for Newk’s to help out and get involved in the community,” said Greg LaFoe, owner of the Lawrenceville restaurant. “The hospital is a large part of our rapidly growing city and we want to help support it in any way we can. October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month so this is a perfect time to raise money for the hospital. We’re excited for our customers to come into the restaurant and join us in this effort to make a difference for our local hospital.”

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Families Savor the Flavor of Variety at Pollo Tropical®

Pollo Tropical® has earned a reputation among families as an extended kitchen of their homes by providing fresh meals and generous portions at an incredible value.  Now Pollo Tropical is offering an even greater value and variety option that families are sure to call their favorite – the Create Your Own Family Meal.

From the “basics” which include a whole grilled chicken, sweet plantains and rolls for just $11.95, harried parents can then customize by adding as many sides as they like, while choosing from a variety of additional proteins.

For an additional $5 each, families can add another half chicken, mojo roast pork, Guava BBQ riblets, eight grilled tropical wings, or two boneless chicken breasts.  A delicious variety of fresh side dishes are also available in family portions for just $2.50 each.  They include white rice & beans, yellow rice with vegetables, brown rice, mashed potatoes with gravy, Yuca with garlic sauce, Caesar salad, balsamic tomatoes, broccoli and carrots, kernel corn, curly fries, and our new seasonal side sweet potato mash.

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Calling All Young Chefs!

The Diner at Sugar Hill and Sugar Hill Christian Academy announce “The Next Top Young Chef” contest, Tuesday, September 27, 2011.

Out of 280 possible chefs, five finalists will be chosen to present their recipes in the final live cook off!  The finalists will compete for the title and prizes including $100.00, gift certificates, the winning recipe featured on the menu at The Diner at Sugar Hill and local appearances including events and media.

Atlanta radio and television personality, Tom Sullivan, will serve as guest emcee.  Contest judges include Alge Crumpler (NFL player), Liz Deal (school cooking instructor), Wes Walker (Director of Operations at Sugar Hill United Methodist Church) and Allyson Baranello (Operating owner of The Diner at Sugar Hill).

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Yogurtland Comes to Gwinnett

Self-serve frozen yogurt chain Yogurtland opened its first Georgia store in Atlanta at the West Paces Ferry Shopping Center in March. Owner Rick Evans was the first to introduce the brand to the community and has plans for continued growth throughout the metro Atlanta area. Evans expects to open a total of 5 – 7 additional locations over the next 2 years and already has two additional units under construction located at 4880 Peachtree Corners Circle in Norcross (slated to open mid-October) and 2727 Highway 54 W in Peachtree City (slated to open mid-December).

“Yogurtland is brilliant in its simplicity. It’s upbeat, fun and happy. From the brightly colored walls to the quirky flavors, it’s impossible to walk into the store and not have your day brighten up,” says Evans. “With the company expanding, I jumped at the chance to bring Yogurtland to Georgia residents.”

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Gwinnett Magazine Staff

Oh Honey! Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center Hosts Second Annual Honeybee Festival

It may be small but the honeybee arguably plays a huge role in the production of the foods Americans serve on their kitchen tables.  Honeybees are the top pollinators of crops in the United States and are responsible for 80 percent of insect-pollinated crops.

In recognition of its vital function in the food cycle, the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center (GEHC) will hold its second annual Honeybee Festival on Sat., Sept. 24, 2011, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

“We owe thanks to the honeybee for so many of our favorite foods, including apples, blueberries, cucumbers, watermelons, broccoli, cantaloupe, coffee, and almonds to name a few,” said Jason West, director of development for the GEHC. “This festival is a great way to appreciate the honeybee’s important job and to learn a little about its bounty.”

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