Toni’s Kitchen’s First Berry Bake Off Took A Bite Out Of Hunger

by Melody Kettle

This past weekend the gloves were off, the tension was high, and the berries were abundant in the Berry Bake-Off supporting the work of Toni’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen on South Fullerton in Montclair.
Held in the Assembly Hall of St Luke’s Episcopal Church, the event was open to all members of the community. Based on unofficial tallies participation by non-parishioners outnumbers members of the church by a 2 to 1 margin. This was a genuine community event with members of the community entering their treats, members of the local bakery community judging, all to benefit members of the community whose days have not been so easy.
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Viva la Taqueria Autentica in Bloomfield

by Melody Kettle

On a recent, lazy, hazy summer day, the Lil' Kettles had a hankering for tacos. But the Lil' Kettles didn't want the tacos Mommy makes. They wanted tacos "like the ones we had in Mexico, Mommy!"

Just about one year ago, Michael Natiello opened Taqueria Autentica, the brick and mortar version of the very popular food truck by the same name. Hot From The Kettle was at Taqueria Authentica for their Grand Opening and Elizabeth Palmer raved about it! So, the Kettle's made the journey out of Montclair, and over to 1035 Broad St., Bloomfield.

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Party Animals Discover Vegan Decadence at the Montclair Animal Shelter Block Party

by Melody Kettle

Saturday’s Block Party on North Willow Street was a celebration of doggies, the dougie, and deliciousness. Truth be told there was only one kid doing the dougie, and it was in the bounce house, but I love alliteration so deal with it! But why on earth is a food site writing about an animal shelter? Its all about the party treats!

The block party featured a baked goods sale consisting of vegan treats made especially for the event. There were vegan versions of snicker doodles, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies and more. The best thing about them was that unless someone said they were vegan it was impossible to tell weren’t the “real thing.”
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Happy National Daiquiri Day: Recipe & History

by Melody Kettle

*Photo Credit: http://archive.blisstree.com/feel/classic-cocktails-for-your-summer-parties/You know it's going to be a good day when it's National Daiquiri Day!  Few libations say "chill out" quite like this classic rum cocktail. 

According to CHOW:

 The original daiquiri was a mixture of rum, lime, and sugar, served over ice. Yet another product of late-19th-century imperialism, the daiquiri was first recorded in a Cuban mining town of the same name. Although the locals had probably been knocking back rum and lime for years, in 1886 an American engineer, James Cox, and a Cuban engineer named Pagliuchi refined the rum and lime drink by adding cane sugar.

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Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Stomps into Newark

by Melody Kettle

A dinosaur rides into Newark on a Harley .... It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but it's actually the beginning of a beautiful relationship!  John Stage, renown pit master and founder of Dinosaur BBQ has stomped into Newark and brought his competition class Bar-B-Que with him. 
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Toni's Kitchen Summer Berry Bake-Off To Feed The Hungry In Montclair

by Melody Kettle in

Call for Entries! Toni’s Kitchen invites the community to its first annual Summer Berry Bake-Off and Bake Sale.

The highly competitive judging panel from our favorite local bakeries – Gina’s, Le Baker’s Dozen, The Little Daisy Bakeshop, and the Montclair Bread Company, will decide 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes for each category. All entries in the Summer Berry Bake-Off must be a type of baked good using berries.

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