I wanted to call this episode Ice Ice Baby, but I was concerned that many of my listeners would not get the reference. If you DO get the reference you are truly among my people,

This episode is presented in partnership with the Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau and it is all about Ohio's Grand River Valley, a premier wine-making region. We're talking ice wine, a variety of wine that allows for creativity and that appeals to all types of wine drinkers. Ice wine is the focal point of the Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival which is happening all through March. Seven locations on the "ice wine trail" offer pairings and difference experiences for the ice-wine-curious.

In this episode I speak to two winemakers and you'll learn how ice wine is grown, harvested and produced, and you will get a taste of what awaits you in the nearby Grand River Valley. (For more Ashtabula information, try episode 88).

Thanks to Chef Douglas Katz for being a supporter of the CLE Foodcast and to the Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau for the collaboration.

Put down your Timbits, and head to one of Banter's two locations for a pile of poutine! Banter recently reopened in Gordon Square and the combination bottle shop, sausage haus and poutinerie is the place to be for hearty fare inspired by the Quebecois (sometimes called the less dignified-sounding "Quebeckers."

Plenty of research went into Banter, which also has a second take out shop at the Van Aken District. Owner Matt Stipe wants you to think about the poutine, which takes some liberties from the traditional brown gravy and curds variety, but he also takes great pride in being a wine and beer shop, with curated selections he chose himself.

Trust me on this, the fries alone are worth the visit. But, considering that you can top them in a myriad of ways, with squeaky Ohio-made cheese curds, well you've got something close to paradise, friends.

This episode is presented with support from Chef Douglas Katz. Partners include the Cleveland International Film Festival, April 3-13, 2024, and the Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau.

After roughly 10 years associated with Saucisson, the artisan butcher shop she built with former partner Penny Tagliarina, Melissa Khoury knew the time had come to walk away. Earning and plenty of local and national notoriety, including coverage in Food and Wine and Oprah's magazine, and the chance to "Beat Bobby Flay," the little Slavic Village butcher shop that could DID IT ALL.

Penny left to pursue a career in hospitality in Arizona and Mel continued to run the shop, hoping for a Slavic Village revitalization that still hasn't arrived. After facing, and surviving, other life-changing things like a pandemic, a health scare, and turning 40, Melissa decided to close Saucisson at the end of 2023.

I am truly honored to have heard her story and to bring it to you.

This episode is presented with support from Chef Douglas Katz and the Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau.