Page 21 - Ohio RA 2011 Winter FlipBook

www.ohiorestaurant.org 19 Winter 2012 Issue

News Bites

The South Stark ProStart ® Culinary Program at South Canton High School recently served as the setting for Restaurant: Impossible, a Food Network reality television show that focuses on a restaurant that is facing an uncertain future. The show and its experts then transform the restaurant into a beautiful, well-functioning operation.

Early in 2011, ProStart Instructor Chef Tom Blike was approached by a school secretary and asked if he would object to her submitting his student-operated restaurant, The Wildcat Café, as a potential candidate for the popular television program. He agreed, and the school café was later selected by the program for a renovation.

This summer, with cameras rolling, the Restaurant: Impossible crew, Chef Robert Irvine, the show’s host, the school’s students and the South Stark Marching Band took the show on the road. They drove the bus to Benders, an ORA member restaurant, where the students were instructed on preparation of the new menu items that Irvine had added to their menu.

Blike invited his advisory committee to participate in the event, and ProStart Instructors Chef Dave Browne and Chef Dennis Finley, worked in the kitchen to assist in the preparation of the grand reveal. Blike was most impressed by the dedication and support of the Canton local businesses and the school administrators

and students. Through the show, the Ohio ProStart ® program gained prominence while the school received a remodeled dining room, a new cook range and many pieces of small equipment. The program aired on the Food Network on December 14, 2011.

Ohio ProStart Chef Tom Blike and his culinary students prepare dishes in their newly remodeled dining room and kitchen at the Wildcat Café. The school was chosen by Restaurant: Impossible for renovations to both its workspace and its menu.

Ohio ProStart ® School Receives Attention from Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible

For the past eight years, Debbie Taranto has been involved in community affairs projects throughout Lewis Center. What started as a simple petition to get a traffc light installed near Taranto’s Pizzeria ignited a desire within Taranto to do more for her community. Before long, she and other area business leaders founded the Orange Township Business Association as they worried that Polaris Fashion Place’s growing footprint would negatively impact the area’s existing businesses. Then, on

November 8, 2011, her community members recognized Taranto’s commitment by electing her to an open seat on the Orange Township Board of Trustees.

“For me, it’s always been about creating a sense of community, a hometown,” Taranto said when asked about her reason for running. “It’s this community’s heart that led me to invest in the issues that matter most to our residents. Through my position on the board, I hope to strengthen the devotion I have to this community and inspire others to do what’s best for Orange Township today and for many generations to come.”

As a Central Ohio business owner, Taranto is well-aware of the challenges facing small business operators, but she remains hopeful that government can return to its roots and do what is best for her community’s residents – whether they are business owners or simply live in the area.

“Gone are the days when you could sit idly by and let others take action on the causes that matter to you,” she added. “You have to be willing to take a stand, and I’m hoping my position on the board will help me fx some of the problems I’ve heard discussed in my restaurant by the members of our community over the last several years.”

“Debbie takes seriously the notion that it is important to give back to one’s industry and community and does so for the right reasons,” said Geoff Hetrick, ORA President & CEO. “She is committed to making a positive difference. I saw this trait demonstrated on numerous occasions at our board meetings. As someone who works with elected offcials daily from Washington to Columbus, I can say without reservation that Debbie will provide exceptional service to the citizens of Orange Township.”

ORA Member Debbie Taranto Elected to Orange Township Board of Trustees

Debbie Taranto, the owner and operator of Lewis Center’s Taranto’s Pizzeria, was recently elected to the Orange Township Board of Trustees. She hopes that her involvement will help strengthen the community today and for generations to come.

On November 15, 2011, more than 30 ORA members attended the ORA Member Blender, a new, free event. The event took place in Cleveland at Kevin’s Martini Bar at Pickwick & Frolic and was hosted by Nick Kostis, the owner and operator of Pickwick & Frolic. Major sponsor IGS Energy, briefy addressed the crowd and mingled with members. The other sponsors of the event, Summit Energy, Watershed Distillery and Southern Wine & Spirits, talked with guests about their needs and concerns regarding electricity procurement and

the value of featuring products on their menus from Ohio-based companies.

Attendees said the event was a great opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with others and be more involved with their association. Several attendees offered suggestions to staff for the next ORA Member Blender. One member said “I enjoyed meeting new people and reconnecting with folks I had previously met through the ORA”.

The ORA thanks those who attended. Look for more ORA Member Blenders in your area in 2012!

ORA Hosts Successful First ORA Member Blender at Cleveland’s Pickwick & Frolic

ORA members gathered at Kevin’s Martini Bar at Cleveland’s Pickwick & Frolic on November 15, 2011 to interact in a social setting with one another and enjoy delicious food and beverages from the event’s sponsors.