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New Columns appear each Tuesday. 10JAN06 Doral Chenoweth writes about the business of restaurants and the food industry in the Columbus, Ohio, Metro area. Reader comments are welcome by telephone. 614-538-1822. Email the Grump: thegrumpygourmet@wowway.com Send food stuff here: iPLATE@grumpygourmetusa.com Send weird stuff here: alferd_e_packer@wowway.com E-mail messages must include name and telephone for a reply. |
 1982 - Beirut, Lebanon - Columbus clergyman Herbert M. Goetz, left, serves familiar small packages of home to Marines. |
10JAN06 White Castle's Recipe 'Scrapbook' Reads Like Marketing History White Castle, a huge slice of Columbus food history, doesn't pay much attention to marketing. Slyder fans, customer and cultists do the job for the company. If some college marketing department ever needs a textbook, call White Castle. More than 100 recipes have been pulled together in 140 pages - White Castle calls it a scrapbook. The scrapbook, a hard bound collection of fun recipes submitted and tested in an annual judging by culinary professionals, is being sold in the better book stores. If not available, probe the Internet - www.turkeys4america.org. Tab: $14.95. Proceeds go to an organization that has given turkeys to the needy since 1996. Besides recipes using 10 Slyders in the mix, there are dozens of feel-good fun stories relating to these little burgers. A favorite: Page 101, Castles in Beirut. The Rev. Herbert Goetz, now pastor of Saint Paul United Church of Christ in German Village, Columbus, Ohio, tells the story of the delivery of Slyders to Marines fighting, trying to stay alive, in Beirut in 1982. Dr.Goetz writes of the "loneliness" during months away from home. The cheerful part came when White Castles arrived on station. "What a day. It was chow call. Every Marine and sailor stopped what he was doing to join the serving line..." Some 300 Marines each had at least 15 Slyders. Dr. Goetz, then a Marine captain in the chaplain corps, summed it up - "Thanks, White Castle." Nice puff. A great food story. Most of all, every marketing student, regardless of the product, should give a hard read to this textbook. Approach it this way: McDonald's should make By The Sackful must reading. |
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First Closings of 2006… Boston Soul, open just one year at 2882 E. Main St., locked down at noon Saturday. Chef/owner Sean Blair, who offered his version of Yankee soul food, turned the equipment, food service licenses and building over to his landlord, Bill Sapp. As of yesterday Sapp was planning to keep the place open, possibly later this week with a quick installation of a name chef. The name will be changed to fit the food. Adena's American Bistro & Bar, 140 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Worthington, closed a few days after celebrating New Year's Eve. The building was for years the last of the Dalt's chain. Information on disposition of outstanding gift certificates is being sought. |
 TV personalities Jimmy Crum and Doug Adair. |
Jimmy Crum's Vino Classroom… He's still plugging along. Jimmy Crum's creation, Recreation Unlimited, will hold the annual Flavors of the Vine event, Friday, Feb. 3, at the Hyatt Regency. More than 140 premium wines will be the show stoppers. Many distributors are on tap to pour and discuss. One side benefit not mentioned in the advance puff - this taste-and-mingle show has been a good place for attendees to learn about wines in Columbus. Call it a Vino Classroom. A single reservation is $75. However, group tables are available. For information, call 740-548-7006. |
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Come Back, All is Forgiven ... Think about this street corner question being posed by the Grumpy Gourmet: Of all the old-timer chain restaurants in the city's past, which ones would you like to see back in the Columbus? Based on the ultra-scientific methodology of answering telephone callers, the Grump's first one coming to mind: BackYard Burgers. While this is a major national chain with 150 stores in 18 states, the three in Columbus closed when the owners decided they were tired of the demanding business and could double their investment by selling the sites. And the second long missed eatery - IHOP - International House of Pancakes. We had one in Bexley. A second was just north of OSU campus. Both were popular. Both had built up repeat patronages. At the time when so many chains swamped Columbus, IHOP pulls out. Now comes the time when they could own Fat City, Ohio. Their television spots run on all networks booming into town. The spots are among the most appealing compared to the junk Big Mac serves up. Now comes the real culinary coup. IHOP all over the country is bringing back the ultimate in AYCE fare. For $4.99, this is what arrives on your table: A combo day starter includes pancakes, eggs any style, hash browns, pork sausage links, smoked bacon or ham. All at one sitting? by Doral Chenoweth 614-538-1822 |
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columbuschefs.com/restaurants-blog-29nov05.html - Tis the Season
columbuschefs.com/restaurants-blog-06dec05.html - Da Vinci's safe
columbuschefs.com/restaurants-blog-13dec05.html - Disney Chef
columbuschefs.com/restaurants-blog-20dec05.html - Tom Johnson
columbuschefs.com/restaurants-blog-27dec05.html - Maisonette
columbuschefs.com/restaurants-blog-03jan06.html - 05' Closings