• Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

• Email Subscription

  Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  Email Address:

  Sign me up!

• After Dinner Reading

  • About CMH Gourmand
  • Best Ohio Ice Cream
  • Eating Athens
  • My Favorite Posts
  • Ohio Donut Trail
  • Other Writings

• Columbus Food Blogs

  • Breakfast with Nick
  • Columbus Culinary Connection
  • Columbus Food Adventures
  • Critical Rice Theory
  • Pat's Pints
  • Taco Trucks Columbus

• Recent Tweets

  Tweets by CMHGourmand

• Recent Comments

  	Marines Michalowski on Spain Restaurant
  	Steve on Columbus Pizza History: A Slic…
  	Sharyn Smith Skelton on Columbus Pizza History: A Slic…
  	Linda shaw on Ding Ho, Wor Sue Gai: Columbus…
  	BoomerGenX on SKY Gourmand: The Cooker is Ba…
  	Betty on R&M Bakery – Newark…
  	scottalberts on Columbus Pizza History: A Slic…

• Categories

  Categories Select Category Athens  (17) bakery  (44) bar  (36) BBQ  (20) beer  (54) Behind the Counter  (10) Best Pizza in Columbus  (10) beverages  (19) breakfast  (25) Brunch  (2) Buffet Battle  (5) cheese  (18) chocolate  (6) CLEGourmand  (26) Clintonville  (69) CLOSED  (57) cocktails  (8) Columbus  (98) Columbus style pizza  (10) culinary knowledge  (132) culinary misadventure  (63) desserts  (26) Diners  (18) donuts  (46) events  (86) food  (88) Food For Thought  (45) FooderHero  (10) Gastronomic Stimulus  (27) gelato  (5) hamburgers  (22) hot dogs  (19) ice cream  (41) In the Grocery Store  (1) kid friendly dining  (15) Leftovers  (3) Locally Sourced  (16) markets  (34) Mobile Food  (21) Ohio  (141)    Road Trip  (120) Ohio Donut Trail  (35) pies  (14) pizza  (70) Product Review  (8) recipes  (3) restaurant reviews  (13) restaurants  (167) sandwiches  (53) Short North  (8) Sky Gourmand  (4) Sub Dude  (8) tour  (4) Travelfoodalogue  (15) vegan friendly  (1) Vegetarian Friendly  (41) wine  (23)

• Top Posts

  • Kennedy's Cakes and Donuts "A Full Line Bakery" and An Odd Emporium (Cambridge OH)
  • Ohio Donut Trail
  • The Original Crispie Creme Donuts: On the Ohio Donut Trail in Chillicothe
  • Hounddogs Three Degree Pizza: Revisited, Reviewed....Revived

• Archives: August 2006 to Now

  Archives: August 2006 to Now Select Month February 2024 September 2023 September 2022 June 2022 April 2022 December 2021 September 2021 August 2021 June 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 January 2020 December 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006

Archive for the ‘markets’ Category

Market Daze

Posted by CMH Gourmand on July 31, 2008

Some of my best memories growing up were the days we decided to pop into the car and drive out to a farmer’s market for some corn or fresh melons. Inevitably, there would also be some homemade fudge to buy as well. What could be better. It was an adventure and a roadtrip for food. Everything was fresh and homemade. This may have been the genesis of my food-focused wanderlust. Today I don’t have to work so hard for the adventure, I can ride my bike to the Saturday Clintonville Farmers Market.

The market has slowly grown over the years, it is not big by any measure, but it has sustained itself and it promotes things that are easy to feel good about – local farms and businesses selling their goods to the community.

As you can see above there is a really good turn out. There are free samples from many vendors and stacks of good information. A couple shots of vendors you may see at the market are below.

The larger and better known community/farmers market is in Olde Worthington. This market also features crafts and other items. Last, year a successful try was made at a year round market, with some vendors coming in for select Saturdays in the wintertime to keep the fires for local food and produce burning.

OWBA Saturday Farmers Market

And of course there is the North Market Farmers Market – the market have been at it for more than 100 years so the concept works. I mention the North Market often in my blog, and with good reason – the place is wonderful.

North Market – Farmers Market Details

It is great to have these markets doing well locally. There are also two great resources for getting up to date information on Farmers Markets and CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture).

Two of my fellow food bloggers offer market updates and wonderful photos from local markets.

Restaurant Widow CSA and Market Reports

Columbus Foodie Ohio Farmers Markets

If you are on the road and looking to find some markets to mix up the drive or put a speedbump to potential roadrage, here is a handy site to do some market research.

Ohio Market Maker

A recent discovery of mine, is not so far away.

Yutzy’s Farm Market
6010 Converse Huff Rd
Plain City, OH
614.873.3815
(Closed Sunday)

Yutzy’s Market

This little market has a great selection of meats and cheeses, with prices that beat the big box stores. They also have the typical selection of farm fresh tomatoes, corn, etc.

With a little planning, you can support local, sustainable farming without emptying your wallet on gas prices or food costs. Maybe you or someone with you will be inspired to planet a garden, eat something new or appreciate the opportunity to meet the person that supplies your meat, eggs, milk, or salad on some Saturday.

Posted in culinary knowledge, markets, Ohio | Leave a Comment »

North Market Apron Gala – May 17th (and More Market Mayhem)

Posted by CMH Gourmand on May 11, 2008

The 12th Annual North Market Apron Gala

Saturday, May 17th

Doors open and aprons on at – 7 PM

North Market

59 Spruce Street

Short North

Who: Me plus anyone one else that likes to eat and/or loves the North Market

What: Three courses of appetizers, tastes and samples of entrees, desserts, beer from Columbus Brewing Company, Ohio wines, multiple North Market vendors, a silent auction, fortune tellers, raffles, prizes, and a contest to see who has the coolest apron.

When: See Above

Where: North Market – the mecca of food goodness

Why: To support the North Market, proceeds go to support our North Market

How: Through the hard work of North Market vendors, staff, local restaurants, and the Friends of North Market

Tickets – $75 (worth every penny); $65 for registered Friends of the North Market

If you have never been to the North Market or have never been to a North Market event, this is the night to go. If anyone wants to meet up and talk food with me send me an e-mail, I will be there all evening.

If you need more encouragement to go, see my photos from the North Market Cinco D’ Ohio Festival below. The photos are a taste of the culinary wonders you can expect at events like this. I was one of the judges for the salsa contest. Nine people pitted their salsas up against the palettes of four lucky judges.

Then, I was also a judge for an array of tacos from for a fiery and heated competition with local professional chefs. Five Top chefs mixed their skill, creativity, and some North Market ingredients for a United Nations of flavors in the Taco Taste Off. The winner – in a tummy pleasing close call contest was Steve Lawrence from Cajohn’s Caboom Chili Company with his Asian Taco (in a soft, yet crunchy Wonton shell). Alana Shook (Alana’s) and John Dornbeck (Basi) were neck and neck in my book for a heartbreaking second place with my palette.

North Market is fun, fun, fun and the people are great so come support our market the night of May 17th.

Finally….If the Apron Gala does not work out for you or the other events seem too large scale, consider a more intimate experience with some of the best chef’s and cooks in Columbus:

To sign up drop by the North Market office or call to register at 614-463-9664.

Shop with the Chef Series, Saturdays, 10AM-1PM

Limit 20 people, cost $45 per person; $225 series

Saturday, June 7 – John Dornback, Basi Italia

Saturday, June 21 – Paul Yow, Barcelona

Saturday, July 5 – David Tetzloff, G. Michael’s Bistro

Saturday, July 19 – Matt Langstaff, Bexley’s Monk

Saturday, August 2 – Alana Shock, Alana’s Food + Wine

Saturday, August 16 – Robin Davis, The Columbus Dispatch

Summer Evening Chef Series, Wednesdays 6:30-8:30PM

Limit 26 people, cost $60 per person; $300 series

Wednesday, June 4 – John Skaggs, Chef at Large

Wednesday, June 18 – Jason Shelley, Mitchell’s Ocean Club

Wednesday, July 2 – Paul Yow, Barcelona

Wednesday, July 16 – Chef Rocco, Pastaria

Wednesday, August 6 – Matt Prokopchak, Trattoria Roma

Wednesday, August 20 – Matt Langstaff, Bexley’s Monk

Fall Evening Chef Series, Wednesdays 6:30-8:30PM

Limit 26 people, cost $60 per person; $300 series

Wednesday, September 3 – Henry Butcher Sr., Creole Kitchen

Wednesday, September 17 – Kevin Jones, The Columbus Fish Market

Wednesday, October 1 – Paul Yow, Barcelona

Wednesday, October 15 – David Tetzloff, G. Michael’s Bistro

Wednesday, November 5 – Matt Prokopchak, Trattoria Roma

Wednesday, November 19 – Matt Langstaff, Bexley’s Monk

Posted in bakery, cheese, chocolate, Columbus, culinary knowledge, food, ice cream, markets, Short North, wine | Tagged: North Market | 1 Comment »

Three great evenings of food, fun, wine and good causes

Posted by CMH Gourmand on April 25, 2008

Three events are coming up that allow you to support good causes while sampling wonderful wine and fine food.

Taste of the Independents
Thursday, May 1
Smith Bros. Hardware Building
580 N. 4th. St.
6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

http://www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com

Features thirty plus local independent restaurants (including Basi, Refectory, CBC…)

In additional to food, the evening includes micro brewed beers, wines from small vineyards and a special Mango Maytini. There will also be a 3 piece band from the Columbus Jazz Arts Group for background music.

Member Restaurants are listed below:
http://www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com/database/restaurants.php

Proceeds go to the Buckeye Ranch

The Grape Event
Friday, May 2nd
COSI
Benefits the ALS Association of Central and Southern Ohio

www.alsohio.org

An evening of fine wines with hors d’oeuvres. The Grape Event also hosts a live and silent auction featuring wines, sports memorabilia, electronics, and other gift packages. Each year local artist Robert Patricy creates a special wine themed painting as the logo for the event. The original canvas oil painting is auctioned off. Prints from prior years are also for sale. Bob is my friend and I have two prints in my house. (This is my disclaimer.)

North Market Apron Gala
Saturday, May 17
7 to 10 PM

http://www.northmarket.com/featured_event.php

The 12th Annual North Market Apron Gala!! Run amuck in the North Market eating, drinking and making merry with your apron on and your mouth open for the goodies galore in store for you. Items come from the North Market merchants. There is also beer from CBC and music from the Eileen Howard Trio. A silent auction for great gift packages is featured as well.

And – another North Market event worth going to…while on the subject.

Cinco D’Ohio
Saturday May 3rd
Not to miss – the salsa, taco, and hot sauce taste offs. Yum.

Posted in Columbus, food, markets, restaurants, wine | Tagged: Dine Originals Columbus, Grape Event, North Market | Leave a Comment »

North Market – good to me and great for Columbus

Posted by CMH Gourmand on February 19, 2008

North Market

59 Spruce Street
Short North
614.463.9664

This is what 12 samples of chili look like….

*

I survived the Fiery Foods Festival at the North Market on February 16th. I had the opportunity to be a judge for the Chili Competition. I sampled 12 chilis in the professional category (with offerings from Alana’s, L’Antibes, Basi Italia and others.) One of the offerings had Mako shark in it…..yep, shark. There was a brief moment of terror on my part. As I was taking my first spoonful, the ingredients were being listed off. Shark was not the the first item mentioned. I am allergic to fish – but maybe not shark as it turns out. After a short pause, it was back to work for the amateur competition and another 12 chilis. Other judges included G.A. Benton from Columbus Alive, Miriam Bowers Abbott from the Other Paper, Lisa – the Restaurant Widow and other local notables. I was in great company. Special thanks to Mary Martineau (marketing director) and David Wible (executive director) for having me there and listening to me ramble on about food. Their continued hard work keeps the market vibrant and appealing to Columbus natives and visitors. Sopressata – did a superb summary of the festival and she (Heather) was able to cover the wing eating contest which I missed out on.

The next day I was at the North American Pizza and Ice Cream Show across the street at the Columbus Convention Center. Many of the people in line to pick up passes were asking me about what to do in our fair city. I had a lot to tell them with North Market on top of my list. Several attendees waiting in line overhead my comments and mentioned their own visits to the market the day before and how impressed they were with what we have here in Columbus.

North Market is a treat for those of us that live here – offering a home to Jeni’s Ice Cream, Curds and Whey, and so many other great independent vendors. The market also supports incredible food events – the Ohio Wine Festival, the Saturday Farmers Market, and the Fall Harvest Festival. All of these North Market endevours put Columbus on the culinary map and keeps it there.

At the Fiery Foods Festival, I spoke with some of the volunteers that do so much to support the market by helping with events….I may have to get my ass in gear and pitch in as well.

Anyway, if you have never been to the North Market, now is the time to support this community asset. I usually go early in the morning on a Saturday to scoop up some farmers market specials, then I pop inside to stock up on cheese, free samples and usually a Jeni’s Ice Cream sandwich for later. On Sundays, I like parking for free near Goodale Park, then walking over for lunch which I take upstairs so I can watch the market in action below.

Posted in cheese, chocolate, Columbus, culinary knowledge, ice cream, markets | 3 Comments »

Hills Market Holiday Wine and Cheese Tasting

Posted by CMH Gourmand on December 5, 2007

The Hills Market
7860 Olentangy River Road
Worthington Hills
(S.R. 315, just North of I-270)
614.846.3220

The Hills Market continues to host great food events. I stumbled into the Holiday Wine and Cheese Tasting on November 29th. Hills does a Thursday wine tasting which is 4 pours for $2 from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM. I thought I had shown up for that but it turned out that I landed into something much better. As luck would have it, there was a cancellation and I was able to slide in.

For $30, this is what I sipped and supped on. The pours were generous and the samples were sized to please.

---

J. Laurens Cremant de Limoux (French sparkling wine) – may pre date champagne…

paired with – Brie Le Chatelain (French)

Wolfberger Cremant d’ Alsace Rose (French bubbly)

paired with Wenleydale with Cranberries (British – well liked by Wallace and Gromit)

Elizabeth Spencer Sauvignon Blanc 2006, (California)

paired with Mountain Gorgonzala (Spain)

Clean Slate Riesling 2006, (Germany)

paired with Chevre (goat’s milk cheese) (USA)

Juan Gil Monastrell 2006 (Spain)

paired with Spanish Romano

Galil Mountain Shiraz/Cabernet 2003, (Israel) – Kosher Red Wine…really

paired with Boursin with Cracked Peppercorn (France) – Kosher as well

---

As if this was not enough, the staff mixed in some tapa like appetizers. The best of the bunch was a halved fresh fig (received that day) stuffed with gorgonzola and wrapped in prosciutto. This was so good, I groveled for a leftover sample. These two figs were worth at least $5 to me.The event started at 6:30 PM and intended to wrap up at 8:30 PM. We were all having so much fun and good conversation that we lingered past 9 PM. As a bonus we each received a 10% coupon for the market.

The event was created by wine coordinator Constance Begue and cheesemonger Kent Rand. Each offered plenty of commentary on the wine and cheese sampled as well as everything their departments had to offer. Hills plans to host events like this once a month. I’ll be back.

I mentioned Stinking Bishop cheese to Kent. This is a cheese other local cheese shops have told me they could not obtain. Kent called me Saturday (two days later) to let me know he would have some for me by Tuesday. As a bonus he gave me a print out with extra information about the stinky cheese I wanted.

I also stumbled on a good source for cheese and other gourmet information while looking for a Stinking Bishop link. The Reluctant Gourmet has all types of good gastronaut information.

The Hills is worth a visit any time as an alternative retail chains. Sign up on their site with your e-mail to receive updates on special events and an occasional excellent coupon.

Posted in cheese, markets, wine | 2 Comments »

North Market – Harvest Festival on Oct 6th – be there!!

Posted by CMH Gourmand on September 30, 2007

As if hanging out at the North Market is not fun enough…..

The North Market Harvest Festival is this Saturday. Fall is my favorite season and the North Market will be featuring some of the best tastes of fall – pumpkins, squash and such along with all types of special events.

This is also a great opportunity to show your cooking skills and win a gift certificate from the market in the process.

The baking contest will have three categories –

Pumpkin bread (loaf or muffin)

Pumpkin Pie

Apple Pie

The Gourmand will be one of the judges for this event! I expect to be sleeping off a food coma in Goodale Park shortly after the tasting ceases.

“The first place winner of each competition will receive $50 in North Market gift certificates. All home-baked entries will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit North Market Development Authority. To register or for more information, please call the North Market at (614) 463-9664. Participation is limited to 12 entries per contest.”

Posted in culinary misadventure, markets, pies | 1 Comment »

A Trip North – a cheesebarn, Westside Market, “Big Fun” in Coventry and more

Posted by CMH Gourmand on September 27, 2007

I recently headed to the Greater Cleveland area for a social call. The weather was perfect and I had some spare time so some sumptuous culinary detours were incorporated into my journey.

For decades, the sign for Grandpas Cheesebarn on I 71 has taunted me. I never had time to stop to check the place out and I became convinced it was a tourist trap. Or so I told myself. It is at exit 186, near Ashtabula. The cheesebarn is a short 500 feet from the interstate so I figured I could drop in for a peek.

I loved it. Grandpa’s has all types of free samples of cheese as well as fudge, pickles, and other treats. They also serve sandwiches and such. They sell a vast array of trinkets and knicknacks. You should block out at least 30 minutes to look around and you might even want to grab lunch here. Grandpa’s has a wide variety of high quality cheese and other foodstuffs to purchase, so if you need a goumet gift on the fly – this is a good place to go.

Grandpas Cheesebarn

The next stop was Westside Market in downtown Cleveland.

Westside Market

The Westside Market is an old school market with about 100 vendors selling cheese, produce, pierogies, fresh meats, baked goods, ethnic specialities from around the world, and all types of artisan foods. This a must visit for people that are even mildly interested in food.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I ended up having a great Cambodian meal next door (instead of feasting on the goodies inside the market) at:

Phnom Penh

1929 West 25th St

216.357.2951

Wandering across the street, I discovered –

The Bier Market

1948 West 25th St.

216.344.9944

 

This bar serves a huge variety of Belgian and other hard to find beers. In October, a restaurant will open in this building with a chef returning from Michael Symon‘s venture into NYC – expect great food and great beer from here in the near future!

My next stop was in Coventry for a very rushed reunion tour of the culinary, toy, book, and antique treasures located on the main drag in this little burg. The two highlights were Big Fun for cool retro toys and Tommy’s for cool veggie friendly food. Tommy’s has the bonus of having a small book store connecting to it.

Big Fun

1827 Coventry Rd

216.371.4386

For more info on things to do in Coventry, check out –

Coventry via Wiki

And for Cleveland fun, it really does ROCK….still…

Cleveland Resource for Fun – Scene Magazine

Posted in food, markets, Ohio | 1 Comment »

« Previous Entries

Next Entries »