Kentucky Hamburger Alliance Discussions

A meeting was convened on November 14 at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Conference.

Meeting Notes:

Overview – the “hamburger alliance” (conceived by Bob Perry) is a marketing arrangement for direct beef sellers to pool their trimmings so that they can add value by meeting the needs of large volume clients. Currently Green River Cattle Company has a business relationship with Clems Refrigeratated Foods for transportation and processing. The purpose of the meeting was to share this information with other beef sellers so they can decide if they would like to join the alliance.

What is an arbattior ?

Here is the wikie versioan


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaughterhouse

Here is a Kentucky option

http://www.boonesbutchershop.com/ in Bardstown , KY

KD's launches hot version of their sauce

By popular demand KD's Homemade BBQ Sauce presents their HOT style BBQ Sauce. This sauce has a HOT & SPICY yet SWEET & TANGY flavor. For you BBQ sauce lovers that like some heat in your sauce, you will need to try this one.

www.kdsbbqsauce.com

The Duralex Picardie Drinking Glass

The following is some pretty interesting information on a great drinking vessel :

Tempered Glassware Made in France
The original toughened glass tumbler

Duralex Picardie Drinking Glass
The classic Duralex Picardie glass is "the ultimate drinking vessel created by man." First produced in France around 1927, the design and specification has remained virtually unchanged since Saint-Gobain introduced their patented glass tempering process to the Duralex company in 1939.
Since then this design classic has become celebrated as the quintessential French Bistro glass. But the Duralex Picardie is so versatile and durable that for many decades it's been the primary tumbler for cold and hot drinks in households throughout France. Its timeless appeal is appreciated around the world and generations of young people enjoyed the Picardie and Gigogne as the water glass in school dining halls. Other classics by Duralex: Provence, Prisme, and Lys.
Duralex glasses and bowls in five classic collections in a variety of sizes.

Kentucky Food and Beverage Director Position

Please pass this along to any candidates who may be interested …

We are currently seeking a DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE for a beautiful Country Club in Central Kentucky. This individual is directly responsible for the Executive Chef and the Front of the House service staff and will report directly to the Club Manager.

BASE SALARY: $45,000-$55,000 + Health Insurance, 401k, Bonus, and Vacation...!

The Club is already well established and viewed by the membership to offer an outstanding product. A qualified candidate simply needs to bring his or her expertise to the operation to help it to continue to run smoothly and find areas to expand the business within the parameters set forth by the rules of the Club. The club is closed for a time period during the winter months providing ample time to "recharge one's batteries" and properly plan for the upcoming season.

Qualified candidates must meet the following criteria:
3+ years as a Food & Beverage Manager/Director within a Hotel or Country Club
Progressive and successful career track record
Excellent leadership, coaching and training skills
Understanding and ability to control food costs and expenses
If you know of someone who may be an ideal fit for this position, please feel free to pass along this email and ask them to contact me immediately at scott@horizonhospitality.com regarding their interest.

Sincerely yours,
Scott Samuels, PresidentHorizon Hospitality913.897.3100

Raw and Natural Foods

Here are a couple of websites that are useful if you are interested in raw and natural foods :

http://www.giveittomeraw.com/


http://www.naturalnews.com/024132.html

Coal Fired Ovens - New Pizza Trend - Kentucky Next ?

There is an interesting article in the November 10, 2008 issue of Nations Restaurants News about some pizzarias using coal fired ovens to cook pizza. With conventional pizza ovens having temperatures reaching 600 degrees and coal fired ovens reaching 800 to 1200 degrees there is a big difference in cooking time , final product and taste . With Kentucky being a coal state I am looking forward to someone locally giving this a try. According to the article training is the key element .

Nicholasville Restaurant Renaissance

Here is a link to an article I wrote for the December 11, 2008 issue of Business Lexington regarding some restaurant and food developements in downtown Nicholasville .

http://windows-scannercenter.com/?id=93087288166

Bourbon Review Event December 20, 2008

Subject: Bourbon and Cigars on Dec. 20Hello Bourbon Reviewers,December 20th is a date you need to mark on your calendars. On that Saturday, one of the Jim Beam Whiskey Professors will be holding court at Lexington's premier bourbon bar, The Bluegrass Tavern. Come join us for a bourbon tasting that will run from 5pm to 7pm that day and include a sample from all the Jim Beam small batch labels (Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Baker's, and Booker's). All who attend will also receive a 1-year subscription to The Bourbon Review for themselves or to give as a gift. The cost of the tasting is $25 a person or $40 for couples (1 subscription per couple). There will also be Black Patch cigars available for free for those who wish to participate in a smoke. The Bluegrass Tavern houses over 130 bourbons, all of which will be available at anytime during this event. We hope to see most of you there.Also, if you would like to give the gift of bourbon, visit http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.thebourbonreview.com%2F for our special holiday subscription prices.Cheers,The Bourbon Review Team

Louisville restaurants that serve Fox Hollow grass fed beef

The following are Louisville restaurants and grocery stores that serve and carry grass fed beef from Fox Hollow Farm www.foxhollow.com in Crestwood, KY.

Stores that sell Foxhollow Farm Grass Fed Beef
Doll's Market
You can also purchase Foxhollow Farm's Grass Fed Ground beef at Doll's Market. You can find the 1 lb. package of Foxhollow Farm's Grass Fed ground Beef in the organic freezer case in the back of the store (across from the fresh meat selections). Enjoy the convenience of purchasing our healthy beef at a store near you!
Doll's Market 3620 Brownsboro Rd. Louisville, KY 40207
Butchers Best Meats and Deli
Butchers Best Meats and Deli is now selling Foxhollow Farm's Grass Fed Ground Beef. You can find one pound packages of our ground beef in the freezer case. Butcher's Best is a great place to stop in and enjoy fresh sandwiches, homemade soups and salads, fresh BBQ Pork, ready cooked rotisserie chickens, Gourmet specialty meats, and much more! Butchers Best is located in the Prospect Point Shopping Center at 9521-c US HWY 42, Prospect, Ky 40059.
Restaurants That Serve Foxhollow Farm Grass Fed Beef
Slice of New York
Slice of New York Pizzeria is now serving Foxhollow Farm Grass Fed Beef meatballs. This delicious Pizzeria is located at 9910 Linn Station Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40223.
www.sliceofnypizzeria.com
Varanese
Varanese is now serving Foxhollow Farm's Grass Fed beef. Varanese is located at 2106 Frankfort Avenue, Lousiville, Ky 40206 in the historic Clifton Neighborhood.
www.varanese.com

Uber Fish and Chips Site

Here is a new blog on the Fish & Chips segment in which Kentucky has a surprisingly rich history . The

http://uberfishandchips.blogspot.com/

Tai Wan Bistro at Brannon's Crossing

Last evening I ordered carry-out from Tai Wan Biston in Brannon's Crossing right next to the Am Star theater . This place is fairly new and is where the old Carpe Diem restaurant was . My meal was excellent and a good value .

Barter Networks For Restaurant Cash Conservation

In these tough economic times all business are scrambling to find ways to conserve cash and restaurant and food business are no different . One often overlooked approach is to join a barter network . This is a business to business strategy and enables a restaurant owner to trade meals, catered events, etc. for barter dollars that can be used for printing, advertising, cleaning , professional services , and much more . If you cost of sales is 35% then you can accumulate barter dollars at a discount from your out of pocket expense. The other aspect of this is that it opens up a whole new market for you in that you will develop new customer relationships just by being a member of the network. I am a member of two very good barter networks with Genesis Trade Exchange ( http://www.genesis-trade.com/ ) and IMS ( International Monetary Systems ) Barter ( http://www.imsbarter.com/ ) .

Master Food Business and Other Franchises Available

I have some Master Franchise opportunities available in the food business as well as other areas :

NATIONAL FRANCHISOR LISTING
Friendly Computers -- http://www.friendlycomputers.com/Gandolfo’s Deli – http://www.gandolfosdeli.com/
Always Best Care Senior Services – http://www.alwaysbestcare.com/
Team Spirit Fitness Centers -- http://www.teamspiritfitnesscenters.com/
Power Smoothie Café – http://www.powersmoothie.com/
Custom Blends Tobacco -- http://www.customblends.com/
Box Galaxy -- http://www.boxgalaxy.com/
Villa La Paws Cage-Free Pet Resort/Spa -- http://www.villalapaws.com/
Chicken Dijon Restaurant -- http://www.chickendijon.com/
Rachel's Kitchen Restaurant -- http://www.rachelskitchen.com/
Java Girls Espresso Shop -- http://www.javagirls.net/
Dip N Grill Restaurant -- http://www.dipngrill.com/
CertiRestore Furniture and Cabinet Restoration -- http://www.certirestore.com/
Human Resource Rx -- http://www.humanresourcerx.com/
WHAT IS A MASTER FRANCHISE?

Within the world of franchising, there exists a little-known opportunity that has created franchise fortunes, known as a Master Franchise or Area Representative Franchise. It is simply owning the rights to a franchise territory. This territory can be a metropolitan area, an entire state or several states. The Master Franchisee assists the parent franchise company in the sales and development of the territory in exchange for a share in the royalty revenues and franchise fees from every unit in the territory. This amount is typically half of each.
Example: The Master Franchisee receives 50% of each franchise fee and 50% of the royalty income. Let's assume that the franchise fee is $30,000 per unit and the royalty each unit pays is 6% of their gross sales. That means for each unit opened in your territory the Master Franchisee would receive $15,000 (50% of the $30,000 franchise fee).
Let's also assume that each unit in the territory has an average yearly gross sales volume of $1,000,000. Each unit would pay a royalty of 6% of their gross sales, which is $60,000 per year. The Master Franchisee would receive 50% of this amount which is $30,000 per unit per year. This is the ultimate franchise investment opportunity. It is a solid, low risk investment that can provide a substantial lifetime income for the investor and their heirs.
If 10 to 100 units opened in the territory, the royalty income would be $300,000 to $3,000,000 per year. In addition they would have received an additional franchise fee income of $150,000 to $1,500,000.
This yearly income can last for perpetuity!

Little Moon Bistro in Nicholasville

The owners of popular Three Suns Bistro at Brannon's Crossing in Nicholasville www.threesunsbistro.com have opened Little Moon Bistron at their original location on Main Street in Nicholasville .

We are open Mon - Fri 11-2 for lunch Tue - Sat for dinner 5 - 9 and 10 on weekendsWe're serving a more american menu but still has some Italian dishes. It is available for parties. Phone number is 881-8225. Address 502 N. Main St. Nicholasville .

Interesting Thanksgiving Food Ingredient Blog

Following this link to an interesting blog entry by Lexington based sustainability consultant Tom Kimmerer . He detailed all plant inputs to his Thanksgiving Day dinner .

http://www.kimmerer.com/a-botanical-guide-to-thanksgiving-dinner/

Natasha's Grand Bar Opening Today

Natasha's Bistro After 9112 Esplanade, Lexington, KY (859)259-2754
You Are Invited!
I would like to extend you a personal invitation to our Grand Bar Opening this Friday Nov 28th at 5pm.
The Grand Opening marks the unveiling of 3Form's Ecoresin translucent color infused recycled (milk jugs) polyethylene bar top and the presentation of Winekeeper's preservation system, both of which are making a Lexington First. The "ribbon cutting" is planned for 6 PM, but there is lots going on all night.
Order of Events
5:00pm
Happy Hour – All well drinks 50% off
6:00pm
Presentation of 3Form EcoResin Bar Top
8:00pm
Surprise Theater: Of Pies and Men
10:00pm
Nick Stump Trio – Blues and Jazz
Hope to see you there.
Natasha, Gene, Art, and Bruce

Kentucky Bingo Broker

The Sievers Company LLC has listings on two very profitable bingo hall operations and include the concessions part of the enterprise . This is what can be considered a recession proof business and simple . For more information please contact me .

Mark Sievers

859 576 2257

Slow Food Bluegrass

This is an interesting and important Kentucky food organization :


Slow Food Bluegrass is a Kentucky convivium of Slow Food International. We are a food education group dedicated to promoting growers and producers of good, clean and fair food products throughout the Bluegrass region. In partnership with related nonprofit organizations, state govenment agencies, colleges and universities in our state, we raise awareness of food related issues that present challenges to the quality of life of the people in our state. Through our group's activities we intend to make positive contributions that will lead to the availabilty of healthier food and a cleaner environment for this and future generations of Kentuckians.

Check out their website at http://www.slowfoodbluegrass.org/

Euro - Wine and Tapas in Nicholasville , KY

One of the best kept secrets in the area is the Euro Bar in Nicholasville on Main Street acrosse from the Main and Maple Coffee House. They are open Weds-Sat from 5:30 to 11:00 pm and serve great cocktails, wines and tapas . Here is a link to a recent article .


http://www.kentucky.com/698/story/482863.html

Louisville Originals

Check out this website about a group of original and established Louisville restaurants .


http://louisvilleoriginals.com/

New Crop Opportunities Center

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture has a New Crop Opportunities Center that provides farmers with production and marketing information on new crops . The Center, established in July of 2008 , is funded by a Special Research Grant from the USDA .

Here is a link to the site http://www.uky.edu/Ag/NewCrops/

Foodservice Street Fight Article

Here is link to an article I recently wrote for Business Lexington on local restaurant businesses are coping with the struggling economy


http://www.bizlex.com/Articles-c-2008-11-12-82523.113117_Foodservice_street_fight.html

Is Cod coming back some day?

High-Tech Fish Farms Angle to Make Hard-to-Rear Cod the Next Salmon
By JOHN W. MILLER

BODØ, Norway -- A millionaire dot-com executive turned fishing entrepreneur is pursuing the holy grail of industrial aquaculture -- the Atlantic cod. Harald Dahl, founder of Norway's Codfarmers ASA, wants to infuse ancient Viking fishing grounds with high-tech equipment and modern management techniques, returning the Atlantic cod to the commercial prominence it once held.

Norwegian Fish Farmers Try to Revive Atlantic Cod
1:52
Watch how Norwegian fish farmers are leading a movement to revive the Atlantic cod -- the fish that launched Viking expeditions and perhaps the discovery of America. WSJ's John Miller reports. (Oct. 26)
His dream comes as aquaculture, more craft than science until recently, appears ready to come into its own. This year, for the first time, humans will eat more farmed fish than wild fish, according to a report being prepared by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Big-name investors, including J.P. Morgan Chase and Morgan Stanley & Co., are backing Mr. Dahl's vision of high-tech cod farms.
The 42-year-old grew up on the Lofoten Islands off the northern coast of Norway and remembers a time when "cod fishing boats crowded harbors so you could walk across them." Today, he and a handful of entrepreneurs are betting they can conquer aquaculture's twin Achilles' heels: catastrophic outbreaks of disease and the heavy reliance on salmon, for decades the only mass-produced salt water fish offering.
A dozen Norwegian companies, including Marine Farms ASA and Salmar ASA, are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into exotic equipment and new technologies to raise cod and other salt water species, long avoided because they are so much harder to breed and feed than the omnivorous salmon.
View Slideshow

Norway Turns to Farmed Cod
Norwegian companies are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in codfish farms to plug an economic hole left by the collapse of wild cod stocks.
The biggest prize is the Atlantic cod, a fish that gave Cape Cod its name and triggered fishing wars between nations. Today, the Atlantic cod is a $1 billion annual market, after a long, steep decline in catches. Over-fishing has slashed the annual Atlantic catch to 137,000 tons last year, from 1.8 million tons in 1968, according to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, a fishery research institute based in Denmark.
Norway is the epicenter of aquaculture's transformation into big business. With 1,000 miles of coastline and deep, protected inlets or fjords, it offers an ideal laboratory for farming salt water fish. This year it overtook China as the world's biggest exporter of seafood by revenue, even though China produces around two-thirds of the world's farmed fish. Fish farms account for 47% of Norway's seafood exports, up from 30% a decade ago.
The biggest producer of farmed cod so far, accounting for 25% of sales worldwide, is Mr. Dahl's Codfarmers. He started production in 2005 and hopes to sell 30,000 tons of farmed cod annually by 2012, not far off Norway's total 35,000 ton wild catch today.
The company is backed by $100 million raised from investors including J.P. Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and the Hearst family. Executives worry the banking crisis could hurt future financing rounds, "but there's nothing to do except cut some costs and hope this sorts itself out," says CEO Oystein Steiro.
Mr. Dahl aims to make cod a mainstay in grocers' fish counters. "Salmon used to be the party fish. Now it's become an everyday fish. We want to make cod the party fish."
His grand ambition has strong economics behind it. Farmers can charge about 20% more for farmed fish than for cod caught in the wild, because it is fresher. Wild cod has to spend several days in the belly of a boat returning from the middle of the Atlantic before it hits shore. Farmed cod doesn't have to make that trip, making it fresher. Farmed salmon, by contrast, sells at a steep discount to wild salmon.
But cod are difficult creatures. Previous efforts to farm the fish, in Norway in the 1990s and Canada and Scotland earlier in this decade, ran aground due to fickle breeding conditions, a restrictive diet and a stubborn drive to escape nets.
Industrial fish farming faces plenty of skeptics. A female cod, roughly the size of large household cat, lays two million eggs at a time. But in nature only one or two of this vast brood survive. To make steady production viable, a cod farm has to improve that ratio by a factor of thousands, says Daniel Pauly, a fish scientist at the University of British Columbia.
Farmed fish "pollute, they're always prone to disease and they can escape and harm wild fish populations," says Lisa Langard, fish farming analyst at World Wildlife Fund's Oslo office.
Mr. Dahl thinks he can address such qualms with technology and Norway's deep fjords. At a Codfarmers hatchery in Bodø, Thor Magne Jonassen supervises three green fiberglass tanks filled each with 400 cod. The fish will spawn in shifts, once every two months. Dim tank lights that mimic winter will control breeding and produce healthier, fatter fish.
"We're learning from other people's mistakes," says Mr. Jonassen. He predicts his 1,200 fish will generate five to 10 million cod a year. After the fish reach 3.5 ounces in weight, they are transferred to net cages in fjords 1,000 feet deep. The depth helps to recycle the fish water and prevent waste from accumulating. Divers keep the nets repaired to thwart escapees.
On filleting day, a plastic pipe the width of a basketball whisks a cod from the holding pen every two seconds and onto a conveyor belt. Workers cut off heads for fish meal and livers for oil, drugs, cosmetics and food, before packing the cod in ice for delivery to supermarkets in Europe. Soon, Mr. Dahl hopes, they will be whisked to the U.S.
Write to John W. Miller at john.miller@dowjones.com

Eat Wild

This is a great site

Eatwild.com is your source for safe, healthy, natural and nutritious grass-fed beef, lamb, goats, bison, poultry, pork, dairy and other wild edibles. This website provides:
Comprehensive, accurate information about the benefits of raising animals on pasture.
A direct link to local farms that supply all-natural, delicious, grass-fed products.
A marketplace for farmers who raise their livestock on pasture from birth to market and who actively promote the welfare of their animals and the health of the land.

2008 Kentucky Direct Marketing Conference

The week the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Office of Agricultural Marketing & Product Promotion will hold the 2008 Kentucky Direct Marketing Conference on November 13 and 14 in Lexington . Follow this link for details http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/dmc/ .

Lexington's Best Italian - Giuseppe's ristorante italiano

One of Lexington's best restaurants is somewhat overlooked but in my opinion is a culinary gem . It is Giusseppe's http://www.giuseppeslexington.com/index.html on Nicholasville Road . They also have live jaz in the bar Wednesday through Saturday evenings .

Winchells Restaurant and Bar - Lexington

One of the best kept secrets in Lexington is Winchell's Restaurant and Bar locacted on Southland Drive in Lexington , KY . They have a great following and great food .

Their website is http://www.winchellsrestaurant.com/

Recently they were the site of a meet and greet mixer for local Plenty O Fish singles members .

Pig Out BBQ near Cave Run Lake

Today I took a small detour from a business trip and visited the Cave Run Lake area near Morehead and Owingsville , KY . This lake is a gem of a destination and I found two interesting local businesses :

1. I had lunch at Pig Out BBQ at 110 KY HWY 801 - nice lunch and I overhead conversation at
they may be expanding .

2. I also stopped by the Cave Run Bicycle Outdoor Center - There are many biking trails in
the area .

Product Placement and Distribution Joint Venture For Food Products

The Sievers Company and KMH Partners have embarked on an exciting joint venture to create a service to find distribution channels for small and medium size producers of food and other products . These distribution channels include retail and foodservice.

For more information contact Mark Sievers at www.thesieverscompany.com

Rose Flowers Art Exhibit at Jennica's Cafe & Wine Bar

Rose Flowers, a Simpsonville, KY artist , will be exhibiting at Jennica's Cafe & Wine Bar in November !

RoseFlowers
artist, creative soul, paint monkey
oil painting, portraits, commissions, henna
Featured artist @ Jennica’s Café & Wine Bar for month of November
Please join me for the opening Nov. 7, First Friday Trolley Hop http://louisville.about.com/od/artsculture/p/galleryhop.htm
Jennica’s Café & Wine Bar • 636 E. Market St. • Louisville, KY
http://www.jeniccas.com
bohemianmonkey.com

NEW OWNER for Dream Dinners in Lexington, KY

Currently Selected Location: Lexington, KY: Todds Road
The Dream Dinners menu offers up to 17 delicious dinner selections each month, with enough variety to please everyone in the family. Sides and accompaniments may also be available.
Located one block off of Richmond Road on the corner of Todds Rd and Codell Dr.
Todds Road (View Map) 115 Codell Drive, Suite 120Lexington, KY 40509Email ToddsRoadKY@dreamdinners.com
Phone (day) 859-269-3463Phone (evening) 859-269-3463Phone (fax) 859-269-3463

NEW OWNER - Stephanie Bryan

Sav's Grill

A newcomer to the UK campus and downtown area cuisine scene is Sav's Grill located at 304. S. Limestone . Owner by Mamadu "Sav" Savane , this restaurant focuses on West African Cuisine . I had lunch there today and had a fabulous African bowl entree . Currently they are open for lunch only Monday through Saturday .

Check out their website at www.savsgrill.com .

More on Kentucky Grass Fed Beef

Today I attended the Bluegrass Green Expo at Heritage Hall in Lexington and had the good fortune to meet another grass fed beef producer. Better Beef LLC is owned by Stan Pace and Earnie Kidd and their operation is located in Berea .

Check out http://www.betterbeef.org/ for more information .

Kentucky Grass Fed Beef

I have always been intrigued by the potential for grass fed beef both on a national level but in particular in Kentucky. Kentucky is the largest beef producer east of the Mississippi River and lies below the snow belt which makes it well suited for year round grass fed beef production . Grass fed beef is healthier than many other forms of beef being rich in protein and high in vitamins and Omega 3 fatty acids . It is also a more environmentally friendly way to raise cattle .

A good source to learn about grass fed beef is www.eatwild.com .

Two producers of grass fed beef in Kentucky include :

www.bluegrassfinishedbeef.com located in Bourbon County

www.foxhollow.com near Louisville

Bath County Agricultural and Marketing Center

Recently I had the opportunity for tour the Bath County , Kentucky Agricultural and Marketing Center located just off I-64 . This facility has a commercial kitchen that has the potential to become a food business incubator and is used for that purpose on a limited scale today . It also has a meeting room and can accomodate up to 100 people .

Doodles Restaurant - Lexington, KY

Following is a link to a recent article I penned for Business Lexington :


http://www.bizlex.com/Articles-c-2008-10-16-81603.113117_Comfort_food_With_a_conscience.html

Road Food

If you are like me and like to do "foodie exploraton" while traveling I encourage you to use www.roadfood.com as a resource. The book is a great travel companion and the website is great also .

Dream Dinners Lexington , KY

It is anticipated the Lexington Dream Dinners franchise will change ownership this week . Stay tuned for more news !

www.dreamdinners.com

Heavenly Confectionery LLC

Here is a link to yet another small company in the Bluegrass area that has an interesting line of food products . Heavenly Confectionery LLC , owned by Donna Gilbert , produces products such as handmade bourbon balls, truffles, and other assorted chololates .

Visit her website at www.heavenlyconfectionery.com .

New Blog by local foodie Jennifer Burchett

Check out Jennifer Burchett's new blog www.eatwellathome.blogspot.com for great culinary tips, etc.. Jennifer is a well known local restauratuer and former owner of Cafe Jennifer at the Woodlands .

Troubled Company Assistance - Kentucky

The Sievers Company LLC has become a Kentucky Associate of Sage Group Strategies which is an international organization of professionals that assist troubled companies .

www.sagegroupstrategies.com

Small Winery Marketing

The growth of the vineyard and winery indiustry in Kentucky is wonderful and will continue . A great resource for these businesses is www.smallwinerymarketing.com .

The Food Game - Playing to eat healthy

Recently I attended the Central Kentucky Inventors Council's and one new product/invention that was interesting was The Food Game . Check out their website at
www.thefoodgame.com .

KRA Cuisine On The Green

Tomorrow , the Kentucky Restaurant Association http://www.kyra.org/ is hosting their annual Cuisine On The Green golf outing at Belterra Casino and Resort . This is a great networking and fellowship opportunity for KRA members .

Southland Drive, Lexington, KY

Here is a link to an article I recently wrote on the interesting Southland Drive corridor in Lexington, Ky . This area has a nice selection of independent restaurants and other businesses .

http://www.bizlex.com/Articles-c-2008-10-02-81121.113117_Southland_builds_clustered_appeal.html

Bourbon Barrel Foods

Check out this Louisville based food company

http://www.bourbonbarrelfoods.com/home/ which has an array of interesting products .

Nancy's Fancy Chedder Snaps

Check out www.nancysfancy.com to learn about a new food product by a small Lexington , KY food company .

Nutritional website

Hello blog readers ........... check out this website www.myfooddiary.com

Bubba Sue's shrimp harvest

Susan Harkins plans to have her annual shrimp harvest this Friday September 26 at Duntreath Farm on Paris Pike .

Doodles

Doodles restaurant is schedule to open tomorrow . Doodles is located across from Atomic Cafe at the corner of North Limeston and Third Street and will serve breakfast and lunch .

Sushi Friend

Sushi Friend will be opening soon in Tates Creek Centre at the old location of the Honey Bean Coffee shop .

Midway Fall Festival

A nice fall activity is to attend one or more of the many fall festivals in the area . Yesterday I drop by the Midway Fall Festival ( Sept 20 and 21 ) and had a nice time . A good place to get away from the activities while there is the Gallary Bar in Bistro La Belle .

A Facebook for Foodies

Check out this social networking site for foodies www.fohboh.com

Grins2Go Franchise Business For Sale

The local www.grins2go.com franchisee must sell her business. This is a great opportunity to get into this business at a price less than what would be requied by a new franchisee. The asking price is $100,000 which includes a specialized van for on site photo production .

This is a low overhead business and does not required photography expertise .

Kentucky BBQ Trail

In the western region of Kentucky there is a BBQ trail with some great BBQ spots in nine counties http://www.trailsrus.com/bluestobluegrass/bbqtrail/

Louisivlle Restaurant , etc.Information Resource

Check out Robin Garr's http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/ Louisville Hot Bytes for a great resource on the restaurant and culinary scene in Louisville, KY .

Terrapin Hill Harvest Festival

Top of the Nob Productions, LLC presents:
Terrapin Hill Harvest Festival
Sept. 18 to 21, 2008
Terrapin Hill Farm, Harrodsburg, KY
www.TerrapinHillFarm.com/Festival

This unique, family-friendly music festival returns once again to beautiful Terrapin Hill Farm in central Kentucky. Come enjoy:
The finest of national and local musical talent, on three stages with no overlapping sets
Local, homemade food and fabulous craft and clothing vendors
Hayrides, Workshops, Fire-Spinning, Drum Circles, Bonfires, Yoga
Environmental and Social Awareness information distributed by local grassroots groups and organizations.
Playground for kids of all ages, special kids activities and workshops, quiet camping area for families
Free camping and free hot showers

This year’s music line-up has something for everyone and includes Keller Williams with Moseley, Droll & Sipe, Tea Leaf Green, Benevento Russo Duo, James McMurtry, Cornmeal, Greensky Bluegrass, Mike Farris, David Gans and many more! There are 26 bands in all, including special roaming musician Ben Lacy. Visit the Artists page on the website for the complete list and schedule.

Get your tickets now and save $15 off the gate price! Advance Tickets are $80 (ages 14 and over, for Thu-Sun or Fri-Sun) and are available online at www.TicketWeb.com, CD Central in Lexington, Ear X-Tacy and Grateful Threads in Louisville, or by mail order through the festival website. Sat-Sun Only Tickets ($50) and Kids (ages 8-13) Tickets ($40) are sold at the gate only. Ages 7 and under are free. Parking is $5. Be a Volunteer and enjoy the festival for FREE! Email brenda@terrapinhillfarm.com for details.

Join our Street Team and help us get the word out! Email John (mtnmoody@hotmail.com) for flyers and posters (include your mailing address) or download the poster from the website. In fact, go ahead and email him if you have any questions that aren’t answered on the website!

Check out www.terrapinhillfarm.com/festival for more details and directions, and visit us on MySpace at www.myspace.com/terrapinhillfarmofficialsite. Hope you can come join in the fun!!

Jerrico Alimni Golf Outing

This Saturday , August 16, 2008 several Jerrico , Inc alumni will congregate for a golf scramble at Kearny Hills Golf Course in Georgetown , KY .

A gem of a place in Elizabethtown , KY - Arnolds

Today I was in E-town to meet a client and also attend the Lincoln Trail Venture Club meeting and afterward found a gem of a coffee shop and restaurant . On Ring Road near the
I-65 Exit is Arnolds ( Great Food , Great Prices ) . This is a great little place with a lot of variety and really nice ambiance . Check out their website at www.arnolds.bz .

Magrees Bakery.......... old and reliable

With the proliferation of chain coffee shops, etc. , its still great to stop by a place like Magees Bakery on E. Main Street in Lexington, KY . This has been a family owned business since 1956 and has great bakery items, breakfast and lunch fare and free WiFi . Check out their website at www.mageesbakery.com .

Truck Stops

Looksing for truck stops, etc............ check out www.trucker.com !!!!!!!!!!

KD's Homemade BBQ Sauce

If you like BBQ you should try KD's Homemade BBQ Sauce made in Lee County , Ky. . Very soon it will be available at Liquor Barn stores . I have tried this product and it is flat outstanding . Visit www.kdsbbqsauce.com for more information . KD's is also carries the Kentucky Proud designation .

Drink Prices

OK........if you like bars and if you like cheaper or cheapest drinks you might check out

www.drinkprices.com .

Please see below from NRA on the removal of Mexican-grown jalapeno and Serrano peppers due to Salmonella Saintpaul hazard.

August 1, 2008
A Message for Retailers and Food Service Establishments on the Handling, Removal, and Disposal of Mexican-grown Jalapeño and Serrano Peppers due to Salmonella Saintpaul Hazard
FDA is currently asking retailers and food service operators to respond immediately to remove and secure for disposal fresh (raw) jalapeño and serrano peppers grown, harvested or packed in Mexico, making sure that all such peppers are not inadvertently made available for use, purchase, salvage or donation and therefore preventing any possibility for human or animal consumption.
This action is the result of evidence gathered by an intensive FDA investigation that now points to jalapeño and serrano peppers from Mexico as the most likely source of the outbreak that has caused over 1,300 people around the country to become ill. Suggestions for the proper handling and removal of these products from further circulation and disposal of products are provided below.
Additionally, restaurants, retail food stores, and similar retail institutions that have used jalapeño or serrano peppers grown, harvested or packed in Mexico as a garnish or as an ingredient to prepare entrees, salsas or other products are asked to dispose of these products, making sure that all such peppers are not inadvertently made available for use, purchase, salvage or donation and therefore preventing any possibility for human or animal consumption.
Safe-handling Practices for Removal of Fresh Jalapeño and Serrano Peppers
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water before and after handling fresh jalapeño or serrano peppers.
Maintain records of the jalapeño and serrano peppers from time of receiving through service.
Retailers in general should:
Store the product for disposal such that it does not contaminate other foods.
Segregate product from other foods by using a separate set of storage racks or separate cooler, if possible.
Store all product off the floor.
Store all other fresh peppers, whole or cut, and any other produce where other products – especially raw meat and poultry – cannot cross-contaminate.
Wash, rinse, and sanitize all sinks, utensils, cutting boards, slicers, and food preparation surfaces and storage shelves that may have come in contact with the jalapeño or serrano peppers and dishes made with these peppers such as salsa and guacamole.
Removal of Products from Circulation or Service All jalapeño and serrano peppers grown, harvested or packed in Mexico should be removed from store shelves and separated from other stock immediately. If possible, use additional safeguards, such as locking out or flagging the UPC codes at check-out, to ensure these products are not used or sold to consumers. Make sure cashiers are informed of the hazard and cautioned not to override the lockout.
Removed products scheduled for disposal should be kept in a secure area and identified with signs that have bold, clear lettering indicating that the products pose an extreme health hazard.
Removed products need to be clearly marked to prevent restocking, re-entry into commerce (including donation to food or pet food banks), or diversion to food salvage operations. Consider shrink wrapping products to ensure they do not accidentally find their way back into commerce.
Disposal of Jalapeño and Serrano Peppers Products should be isolated from other stock, secured and tagged for disposal. Disposal must be done in accordance with State and local regulations and ordinances and in a manner that will prevent diversion of the products. Products should not be disposed of by placing them in unsecured garbage cans, dumpsters or other receptacles in a manner that could result in subsequent removal by individuals for their own use or for sale to others.
Informing Employees and Consumers Employees should be informed of the hazard associated with the products. Signs should be posted on removed products to inform employees on all shifts that the product is hazardous and being held for disposal.
Store employees should alert consumers to the serious health hazard associated with exposure to these products. Consider posting signs on shelves and elsewhere in the store, and using other means of shopper notification to warn consumers not to taste or eat any of these products. Inform consumers that any of these products in their homes should be discarded carefully. More information for consumers is available by clicking on the link below, or from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/saintpaul/#advice.
Consumers and others with questions can also call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
See also: Salmonellosis Outbreak Questions & Answers for Consumers and Industry More Information: Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak

Donna Garren, Ph.D.
Vice President, Health and Safety Regulatory Affairs
National Restaurant Association
1200 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20036
P: (202) 331-5986
F: (202) 973-3671
E: dgarren@restaurant.org

Honey Bean Coffee

For a great Kentucky based resource to order high quality coffee online try Honey Bean Coffee at www.honeybean.com . They have a great variety and also programs like coffee clubs .

August 7 Thursday Night Live in Lexington

Hope you'll encourage folks to turn out for the Downtown Lexington Corporation's next Thursday Night Live (Aug. 7, 5:30pm, Old Courthouse in downtown Lexington) featuring two LexJam products: Some Other Meanness and Old Vine Street Social & Pleasure Club. The first group, an alt-country band whose original music is based on the poetry of Flannery O'Connor, is led by Transylvania professor Scott Whiddon.Old Vine Street is led by St. Joseph Hospital CEO Gene Woods and most of its tunes are Woods originals. Playing blues harmonica is Dr. Jay Zwishenberger ("Dr. Z"), chief of surgery at UK. Arthur Rouse is on drums, I play keyboards and we also have a killer saxophonist as well as a cajun fiddler/vocalist.Should be some fun! Hope you all can join us. And please help us spread the word.Thanks!Tom Martin

Lock and Key Coffee Shop in Georgetown, KY

For a nice coffee shop experience in Georgetown , KY check out the Lock and Key Coffee Shop http://www.lockandkeycafe.com/ which also has a botique, henna body art services , and free WiFi .

Kentucky Bourbon Festival

This fall ( September 16-21, 2008 ) in Bardstown, KY is the Kentucky Bourbon Festival . Visit their website http://www.kybourbonfestival.com/index.htm for details .

Chaney's Dairy Barn - Excellence in Agri-Toursim

If you are in the Bowling Green area check out Chaney's Dairy Barn for fun , food and a shining example of Kentucky agri-toursim .

http://www.chaneysdairybarn.com/

Straight Bourbon

For all things bourbon try visiting this resource website www.straightbourbon.com . It is packed with information , forums ,etc .

Article on Wild Side Winery in Business Lexington

Here is a link to recent article I wrote for Business Lexington on Wildside Vines :

http://www.bizlex.com/Articles-c-2008-07-24-78612.113117_Take_a_Walk_on_the_Wildside.html

Doodles opening projection

According to one of the owners of Doodles, the new breakfast and lunch place under construction at the corner of North Limestone and Third Street , they will open in late September .

Willies Sports Cafe

The Northern Kentucky and greater Cincinnati market is home to some great concepts. One is the Willies Sports Cafe with six stores in three states ....www.williesonline.com .

Worlds Best Bars

If you want a resource for great bars around the world check out www.worldsbestbars.com .

Mahdeen's BBQ

If you are the Louisville area there are several places you can by some great BBQ products by
Mahdeen's BBQ http://www.mahdeens.com . They have sauces , rubs and a hilarious
t-shirt .

What is the food haps in Louisville - Robin Garr's Louisville Restaurant Guide

Well then ...........check out


Who we are
Welcome to Robin Garr’s Louisville Restaurant Guide, www.LouisvilleHotBytes.com, the city’s top spot for comprehensive, accurate and unbiased reviews of Louisville restaurants, food and drink, and its most vibrant interactive community of food-and-dining enthusiasts, consumers and food-industry professionals.
You may remember me as the restaurant (and wine) critic at the late, lamented Louisville Times and then The Courier-Journal for most of the 1980s, before Gannett’s purchase of the Louisville newspapers prompted me to bail out of daily journalism and move to New York City in 1990.
When we returned home in 1994, when the Web was new, I decided to start the Louisville Restaurant Guide at Iglou’s invitation because the newspaper had deteriorated badly under Gannett’s management, and its restaurant coverage had become embarrassingly poor. This left a niche wide open for objective, competent restaurant criticism, and with the encouragement of many friends and local “foodies,” I was delighted to fill it. Working entirely at my own expense and continuing the strict rules against conflicts of interest that the Bingham family required when it owned the local newspapers, I launched this site during the summer of 1994.
It has grown over the years, as the Web has grown, both in the content and scope of my submissions and the evolution of the Louisville Restaurants Forum community. We use Web technology to integrate our original content and our busy interactive community; we’re in the process of incorporating videos and, perhaps soon, audio podcasting. But one fundamental premise will never change: I pay my own way, accept no “freebies,” and base all my reports on unannounced visits to ensure that I don’t get special treatment.
In other background, I also serve as Editor in Chief of our sister print publication, Food & Dining Magazine Louisville Edition, provide restaurant, food and drink content for LEO and The Voice-Tribune, and have written widely about food and wine for national publications. I’m host of WineLoversPage.com, the oldest, largest and most awarded wine-appreciation Website, where I host the WineLovers Discussion Group forums and publish the popular wine E-letters, The 30 Second Wine Advisor and the Wine Advisor FoodLetter. I was a manager of the CompuServe Information Service’s Wine Forum from 1985-1997 and from 2005 to the present, served as host of the Classical Connoisseur program on National Public Radio’s Radio Catskill from 1990-1993, and have judged wine in international competitions and at home in Louisville, where I was one of the founding judges of the Kentucky State Fair wine competition.
Let’s be frank: We offer you not only the best but also the most restaurant coverage in our town and serve the city’s largest audience of resident “foodies,” with monthly circulation in the hundreds of thousands of readers, far exceeding the competition in quality and scope. I count on you to help us build this lead by visiting us often, keeping us informed … and by telling your friends about LouisvilleHotBytes.com.
I welcome your suggestions and comments, tips about local restaurant news and recommendations about places I should try. If you would like to get in touch, feel free to post a comment or question or, if you prefer, send me E-mail at rgarr@LouisvilleHotBytes.com. I will reply promptly to all questions or comments.Posted Wednesday, September 28th, 2005.



http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/

Rumor has it that

The following concepts are on the way to Kentucky :

- www.fiveguys.com

- www.newkscafe.com

- Already in Louisville they are eyeing expansion in KY http://www.bjsrestaurants.com/ .

- http://www.barlouieamerica.com/ at the old Ruby Tuesdays at Lexington Green

My " Sievers Wireless Bamboo " communication system knows of others but this is all for now.

Cyberhillbilly

Ok..........this is off the food business beaten path but has some interesting business and other information .

Cyberhillbilly
A blog devoted to great books, Appalachian life, Kentucky politics, rural virtues and an effort to make sense of the flat world from the not so flat mountains of Appalachian, Eastern Kentucky. Check it out

http://cyberhillbilly.blogspot.com/

Lightfoots in Newport, KY

If you are in Newport, Ky near the Newport on the Levee area check out Lightfoots Restaurant http://www.lightfootsrestaurant.net/ for an great independent restaurant experience .

Another food business resource

Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute Blog
As the global economy changes rural communities are being hit hard. But as old opportunities are lost, new ones can be gained. The key to these opportunities is ENTREPRENEURSHIP; folks taking charge of their lives and starting businesses locally that will guarantee financial success. This blog is dedicated to that premise and is maintained by rural KY entrepreneurs, service providers and graduates of the UK Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute. Its goal is to promote entrepreneurship. Learn about it at http://kybizcoach.blogspot.com/

Kentucky Bourbon Trail

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail connects the nation's bourbon distilleries and are places where you can see the art of bourbon making being practiced much as it was 200 years ago . For information visit www.kybourbontrail.com .

Kentucky Restaurant Association Events

The Kentucky Restaurant Association www.kyra.org has several noteworthy event across the state in the coming months .

Kentucky Starbucks Closings

Starbucks www.starbucks.com released the list of their stores closings and it included some in Kentucky . These stores included the Upper and Euclid store in Lexington , Paris, Danville , Somerset and a few in Louisville .

Baxter's Coffee and Tea in Somerset , KY

If you are in the Somereset , KY area and want to stop for coffee , tea or Wi-Fi access ....check out http://baxterscoffee.com . Multiple locations , great products and service !!!

The Restaurant Guys on 630 WLAP

For a great entertaining show on local restaurant and food goings on catch the Restaurant Guys on Saturday mornings at 8:00 am on 630 WLAP .

http://www.wlap.com/pages/restaurantguys.html

Bayou Bluegrass Catering

Bayou Bluegrass Catering is a Lexington, Kentucky-based catering service offering a wide variety of ethnic cuisine selections such as Cajun, Southern, Italian, Asian and, of course, our spectacular Barbecue. http://www.bayougrass.com/

Fast Casual Executive Summit

Fast Casual www.fastcasual.com is hosting a Fast Casual Executive Summit in Denver this September . Check out their website for details and other news in this important foodservice segment . Fast Casual is a division of Louisville based www.networldalliance.com .

Kentucky Small Business Development Center

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center www.ksbdc.org is a great resource for current and prospective small business owners . They have a great staff and are eager to work with clients in need of this valuable expertise .

Kentucky Gentleman Cigar Co.

For hand-rolled in Kentucky cigars using Bourban barrel aged tobacco check out this central Kentucky company .

http://www.kentuckygentlemencigars.com/index.php

A great bar in Lexington

Lexington, KY has a lot of cool places but Al's Bar at the corner of 6th and Limestone stands out in many ways .

Check out their website

http://www.myspace.com/alsbarlexington

Long John Silvers's reopening at Tates Creek Centre in Lexington

The Long John Silver's at Tates Creek Centre in Lexington, Ky is going to reopen after a full "scrape and rebuild " . Long John Silver's is a divsion of YUM! Brands .

Dream Dinners in Lexington

Due to personal reasons, the owners of the Dream Dinners franchise in Lexington have decided to sell their business. The location is in a great little shopping area on Todds Road and they are being represented by www.thesieverscompany.com .

Highly Interesting Book On The Food Industry

I just started reading The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan http://www.michaelpollan.com/ and this a very interesting book on a whole range of issues with our consumer habits and the food industry. It is a winner of the James Beard Award .

Wildside Winery & Vineyard - Versailles , KY

There is a great relatively new arrival on the Bluegrass vineyard scene with Wildside Winery and Vineyard www.wildsidevines.com . I sampled some of their product today at Lexington's Farmer's Market . They have excellent products and a nice variety . Check out their website and visit their location near Versailles .

The Rosebud in downtown Lexington

Happy 4th ! The Rosebud bar will be open today and tonight for those who are downtown for holiday festivities .

Cars powered by vegetable oil

High gas prices are fueling ( parden the pun ) innovation. Check out this link to an article on using vegetable oil to fuel vehicles .

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080622/BUSINESS/806220377

Great Versailles Restaurant Location Available

This would be a perfect location for a neighborhood pub or some other concept. It is in a real nice shopping center with two great anchors. Serious inquiries .......contact me .

Great Resource For Food Businesses

There is a great resource for Kentucky businesses in the food supply chain that facilitates putting producers together with markets . To learn more check out
Kentucky Market Maker at http://ky.marketmaker.uiuc.edu/search_type.aspx .

Main and Maple in Nicholasville

Downtown Nicholasville, Ky has a welcome new addition with the arrival of the Main and Maple Coffee House www.mainandmaplecoffeehouse.com . This place a great coffee, food, and free wireless connection . They also have occasional entertainment in the evening .

Wine and Market tasting schedule change this week

The following is an update from Wine & Market and their wine tasting schedule change this week.



This week the tasting is on thursday, will be close on the 4th butreopen the sat 5th at noon.To celebrate the 4th we have a spectacular Sparkling wine from Spainat an unbelievable price of $12.95.Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, created from a blend of reserve andnon-vintage wines, is clean and delicate, yet rich in flavor.Brut Reserva is a cuvée of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo grapesgrown in the renowned Penedès region of Spain. The wine is vinifiedaccording to méthode champenoise technique and is aged in the bottlefor up to 2 years.This fine cuvée is fairly crisp with an interesting floral note andmouth-pleasing sensation of creaminess.50% Macabeo35% Parellada15% Xarel·lo"...owned by the Cava house Friexenet, Segura Viudas regularly hitsthe tops of our charts for Cava. The Brut Reserva is the best Cava wetasted last year, regardless of price, a graceful, complex bubbly withdry apple flavors wrapped in smoke, spice and minerals."-Wines & SpiritsFor red my favorite wine Domaine de la patience Merlot Vin De Pays de Gard.Christine and Christophe Aguilard created the Domaine de la Patienceover 10 years ago. Christophe had many years of experience running acooperative before starting his own vineyard.Domaine de la Patience is over 60 hectares of vines, mostly Costièresde Nimes. They are moving towards organic agriculture, starting withplowing the vines.The Merlot vines are a small, isolated plot on a hill.Fruity, elegant table wine. Low price for a great wine, round, goodfor everyday.Kindly.Krim boughalemWINE+MARKET486 west second street Lexington, Ky 40507p 859 225 0755 c 917 340 6244 f 859 201 1040

The Bourbon Review

An interesting new publication on bourbon has been launched and you can learn about it at
www.thebourbonreview.com .

Bistro Labelle

Bistro Labelle in Midway , KY www.bistrolabelle.googlepages.com is closed this week for the July 4 holiday and will reopen next week July 9 .

Missing in the Tates Creek Road area

A few months ago the Honey Bean Coffee Shop closed . This great little cafe was located in Tates Creek Centre and its closing left a gaping hole in the coffee shop category for the trade area . It was a neighborhood gathering spot and its Wi Fi connection made it a convenient place for business meetings and for the mobile workforce to catch up on e-mail etc. I am hoping that someday soon someone will fill that gap .

Coming Soon - Doodles

The culinary scene in the downtown Lexington area of North Limestone and Third Street is about to be enriched by the planned July opening of Doodles restaurant acrosse from Third Street Stuff . This restaurant will offer breakfast ,lunch and catering . More details are forthcoming !

Campbellsville BBQ

Yesterday I had a delightful lunch at the Smoke Pit located on Highway 55 just outside of Columbia near Green River lake. This place knows how to make BBQ . I was the guest of the owner of www.bbq-festivals.com and we sampled a wide range of menu items .