- Our friends at Dubsdread launched a new website for their catering division earlier this week. Most of us think of the Tap Room when we think of Dubsdread, but they do a huge amount of catering, including weddings. The new website, which was unveiled at a party set up like a wedding reception inside and outside the venue (it was a gorgeous night on the patio and the open bar there hadn’t been discovered yet by the people inside), allows prospective clients such as brides to be to meet the team members they’ll be working with and crying to about wanting everything to be perfect. Nice touch.
- Trina Gregory-Propst and Va Propst, owners of Se7en Bites Bakeshop, announced they would open their new restaurant in the recently available Stir space at Orange Avenue and Virginia Drive. Gregory-Propst said she prefers to think of the address as the former Brian’s Diner, perhaps because that old greasy spoon lasted longer than Stir or its predecessor, Nova. Or Elliott’s Public House before it. Perhaps seeing something lucky in the number, the owners will call the new restaurant Sette. At least it’s not 7ette. They hope to start serving their Italian food within 60 days.
- Kevin Fonzo will stop traveling long enough to participate in a Ravenous Pig collaboration dinner on Sunday, Jan. 27. He’ll team up with Foxen Winery for the dinner, which costs $125 plus tax and gratuity. Call 407-628-2333.
- And speaking of travel, Fonzo and I will have some details soon on another trip we’ll be co-hosting in June. Florence and a villa in Tuscany, anyone? Stay tuned.
- The fun tasting gala known as Appetite for the Arches will be March 2 this year at Rosen’s Shingle Creek Resort. This is the event that raises money for the Ronald McDonald House by challenging some of the area’s top chefs to create a dish using an item found on McDonald’s menu. Most of the chefs come up with inventive creations, but a few of them have told me they plan to challenge one of the chefs to choose a menu item other than Coca-Cola again this year. Won’t say who that chef is, but his initials are B. McG. Ticket details here.
- Central Florida has become a bit more ramenized with the opening of Domu Chibi Ramen in Waterford Lakes. It’s a fast-casual concept from the folks at Domu at East End Market.
- And congratulations to the students graduating Monday from the Culinary Training Program at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. U.S. Representative Val Demings will give the keynote address to the class of 30. I’m sure some local chefs would like to attend and collect some resumes.
