B.Happy Peanut Butter
B.Happy peanut butter, first launched as a family business project 10 years ago, now ships across the country and features a variety of add-ins such as nuts, dried fruits, pretzels and chocolate chips.
Terre Haute chefs collaborate on upcoming On the Road dinner
The next Culinary Crossroads “On the Road” dinner is set for Oct. 25 in Terre Haute at the historic Ohio Building. Ivy Tech Community College Terre Haute campus is the presenting sponsor for the dinner, which spotlights three top chefs who will be collaborating on a multi-course menu.
Chefs Jeff Ford of J. Ford’s Black Angus, George Azar of Saratoga Restaurant, and Kris Kraut of Federal Coffee + Fine Foods are creating the four-course menu, which also includes wine pairings. The event kicks off with a cocktail hour with a variety of appetizers from the chefs along with complimentary sparkling wine from Huber Winery and a signature cocktail featuring Starlight Distillery.
“We’re so excited to be bringing our On the Road dinner series to Terre Haute,” said Culinary Crossroads founder and director Larry Dickerson. “The meal that these chefs are creating will be phenomenal, and the Ohio Building is a gorgeous setting. It’s going to be a fabulous evening celebrating great food, great talent and great causes.”
That has been the theme for the On the Road dinners, as Culinary Crossroads is committed to shining a spotlight on culinary talent and making sure participating chefs are compensated for their efforts. Culinary Crossroads also makes a donation to each chef’s favorite charity or cause of choice.
The Terre Haute dinner also provides an opportunity to showcase the historic Ohio Building. The downtown landmark was once home to the Goodie Shop Cafeteria on the ground floor, and before that, the upstairs housed the 40-room Hotel Tuller. Now beautifully restored as an event space, the upstairs is the site for the upcoming On the Road dinner.
“A huge part of why I was so excited to host the Culinary Crossroads event is because I know that the future of this building will benefit by the addition of food and beverage,” said building owner Carrie Clarke. “I don’t think there’s anything that brings people together better than those two things.”
That’s what the On the Road dinner series aims to do: bring together civic leaders, business groups and local food fans to help showcase Indiana’s culinary community. So far, Culinary Crossroads has created dinners in Evansville, the New Albany area and Fort Wayne, along with our annual Spring Dinner Series in April in Indianapolis. We can’t wait to see you in Terre Haute!
Indiana chefs win golden tickets to World Food Championships
Three more Indiana chefs received a golden ticket to the World Food Championships recently and will be joining Team Indiana at the November competition in Dallas.
Chefs Brady Foster of Foster’s Café and Catering, Dean Sample of Bonge’s Tavern and Youssef Boudarine of Anthony’s Chophouse and Bluebeard took top honors at The Perfect Bite competition Sept. 24 as part of the Paramount Schools of Excellence TURN Festival. Along with chef Eamonn McParland of Roselily in South Bend, the chefs were the top finishers from among 18 chefs in the “perfect bite” tasting portion of the competition.
Those top chefs then competed to create the best dish from a supplied pantry, with audience members chipping in to purchase premium ingredients for their favorite chefs. In addition to qualifying for the World Food Championships, the winning chefs also received cash prizes.
Also as part of the festival, Paramount middle school students from the school’s Junior Chef Academy program and local high schoolers competed as well. Those winners will be participating in the first World Food Championships junior division.
Community center showcases Filipino culture in the Midwest
By Brian Garrido
The Philippines Cultural Community Center opened in 2021 on Indianapolis’ southside, and the vibrant and welcoming destination has become a testament to the Filipino community’s effort to showcase its heritage in the Midwest. The dream of Indianapolis-raised executive director Philip Smith, who was adopted by Hoosier missionaries, the center is a welcoming space that provides an opportunity to learn about Filipino culture.
The history of Filipinos in Indianapolis traces back to the 1960s, when the Barangay Club of Indiana was established, with many professionals and students migrating from Chicago in search of employment opportunities. Today, Indianapolis is home to a significant Filipino population.
Since its opening, the Philippines Cultural Community Center has expanded in influence. It offers scholarship programs for Filipino-American youth, ensuring they can pursue their dreams while staying connected to their roots. Cultural exchanges and partnerships with other community organizations enrich the center’s offerings.
“The center is about community,” said Smith, “and is open to everyone from all ethnicities and backgrounds.”
Inside the center, a rich tapestry of Filipino culture thrives. Traditional dance and music classes fill the air with lively rhythms, colorful costumes and cultural pride. Families gather to share stories, laughter and mouthwatering Filipino dishes such as adobo, sinigang and lumpia. The center also hosts celebrations of Filipino festivals and holidays, fostering a sense of unity among generations and the greater community as well.
Open to the public, the center welcomes anyone interested in learning about the Philippines, its culture and its people. Every Saturday, it hosts a Filipino market, providing a platform for entrepreneurs and craftspeople from all walks of life to showcase their crafts and food. The center’s inclusivity is reflected in its diverse board members and volunteers, including individuals from different ethnic backgrounds who share a passion for Filipino culture.
One of the center’s essential and primary missions is giving back to the larger community. Members engage in outreach programs, volunteering time and resources to support those in need. Opening its doors to all ensures that the vibrant tapestry of Filipino culture continues to enrich the Indianapolis community.
Indiana chefs win golden tickets to World Food Championships
Three more Indiana chefs received a golden ticket to the World Food Championships recently and will be joining Team Indiana at the November competition in Dallas.
Chefs Brady Foster of Foster’s Café and Catering, Dean Sample of Bonge’s Tavern and Youssef Boudarine of Anthony’s Chophouse and Bluebeard took top honors at The Perfect Bite competition Sept. 24 as part of the Paramount Schools of Excellence TURN Festival. Along with chef Eamonn McParland of Roselily in South Bend, the chefs were the top finishers from among 18 chefs in the “perfect bite” tasting portion of the competition.
Those top chefs then competed to create the best dish from a supplied pantry, with audience members chipping in to purchase premium ingredients for their favorite chefs. In addition to qualifying for the World Food Championships, the winning chefs also received cash prizes.
Also as part of the festival, Paramount middle school students from the school’s Junior Chef Academy program and local high schoolers competed as well. Those winners will be participating in the first World Food Championships junior division.