Jamie Zychowski, an employee of the local office of the American Cancer Society, was to be announced today as the grand prize winner of the Spaghetti Warehouse’s national celebration photo album contest.
Zychowski, of Lakewood, a graduate of Hiram College, was scheduled to be presented with a check for $4,000 at noon at the Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Akron.
Dave Ayres, spokesman for the restaurant chain, said Zychowski dined at the Akron Spaghetti Warehouse over the summer for the first time ever along with Cancer Society co-workers, and made a wish then that she would win the grand prize, so she could donate some of the money to cancer research.
In addition to working for the society, Zychowski had a grandmother die from breast cancer and her father is a skin cancer survivor, so she is dedicated to cancer research, Ayres said.
The photo contest on Facebook was aimed at showing folks celebrating special occasions at Spaghetti Warehouse locations throughout the country.
Ayres said Zychowski intends to donate a portion of the money to cancer research, and use the balance to help with expenses for her new apartment, put some aside for a vacation trip to Hawaii, and put some toward her student loans.
Signature chefs event set
Plenty of local chefs are volunteering their time and talents for the annual Akron/Canton Signature Chefs Auction, which takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, 3180 W. Market St., Fairlawn.
Chef Roger Thomas of Piatto Novo in Cuyahoga Falls is the honorary chef for the event, which will honor Dr. Roger Vazquez, a neonatologist at Aultman Hospital in Canton.
All of the participating chefs will cook up some of their finest fare for guests to sample, while they bid on live and silent auction items.
Tickets start at $95. Proceeds help the March of Dimes. For tickets and information, visit https://www.marchofdimes.com/ohio/events/events_9402.html or call Laurie Meadows 216-503-8420.
Your face on a can of kraut
SnowFloss Sauerkraut of Fremont is looking for a few Ohio faces to grace its cans of kraut.
The company is starting a Label Stars program, which it will kick off this weekend at the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival in Waynesville.
SnowFloss is seeking photos of sauerkraut lovers to place on their product labels. All you have to do is send a photo of yourself, your family or friends enjoying SnowFloss sauerkraut and explain how it makes your meals special.
The company will be collecting photos through January. Send your photo through the SnowFloss Facebook page or directly to photos@snowflosskraut.com. Put SnowFloss Stars in the subject line. To learn more, visit www.snowflosskraut.com.
New place open in Zoar
Zoar locals John and Cindy Elsasser have reopened the Inn on the River in Lawrence Township as the Canal Tavern of Zoar.
The Elsassers spent much of the year renovating the historic 1829 inn, located just outside of Zoar Village near Bolivar. Jon Elsasser is president of the Zoar Community Association, treasurer of the Ohio Historical Society and a board member of the Ohio and Erie Canalway Association.
The new restaurant is upscale casual with inside dining and a patio. Elsasser said he wanted to “re-establish a destination restaurant in the community.”
In the kitchen is chef Cameron Krahel, formerly of the Inn at Honey Run in Holmes County. His menu is a mix of steak, chicken, pork, seafood and traditional German favorites, most of which are priced between $16 and $25.
The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch (Sunday brunch) and for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Visit www.canaltavernofzoar.com or call 330-874-4444.
Tickets on sale for tour
Tickets are on sale for the annual What’s Cooking? event in Hudson, sponsored by the Women’s Guild of St. Mary Parish in Hudson.
The event, from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 4, features tours of six Hudson homes, decorated for the season by local florists, where local chefs will provide food along with cooking demonstrations.
Restaurants taking part are Bistro on Main of Kent, and Hudson restaurants Downtown 140, Lager & Vine Gastropub & Wine Bar, Nosh Eatery and Creative Catering, One Red Door and Rosewood Grill. Desserts will be provided by Chick-Fil-A, Diane Topper, formerly of Leo’s Reserve Inn, and the Great Lakes Baking Co.
Proceeds will go to charities supported by the Women’s Guild.
Tickets are $45, and can be purchased at the church office, the Learned Owl Book Shop and Acme in Hudson, until Nov. 3. To buy online using a credit card, visit http://whatscooking2012.eventbrite.com. Ticket sales are limited to 400.
For tickets or information, call 330-425-9575.
More than just seafood now
Red Lobster restaurants are getting ready to roll out a new menu on Monday that will feature a larger selection of non-seafood items.
The chain, owned by Darden Restaurants Inc., is hoping to avoid the veto that happens when one person in a dining party refuses to eat at the restaurant because he or she doesn’t want seafood. The chain is also increasing the number of items priced under $15.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com. Find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @akronfoodie or visit my blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/lisa.
