When Martha Stewart was at the Fabulous Food Show in Cleveland in November, the one booth she made a point to visit was that of baker Wendy Kromer-Schell.
Kromer has been designing wedding cakes for Stewart since 1995. She is the co-author of Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes and designed more than 100 of the cakes featured in the book.
But what many folks don’t realize is that Kromer lives right here in Ohio.
In 2003 Kromer and her husband Scott Schell left New York City to return to her hometown of Sandusky, where they operate a bed and breakfast and where Kromer has based her business, Wendy Kromer Confections (check out her work at www.wendykromer.com).
She’ll be in Hudson on Feb. 3 to teach a class on how to make French macaroons at the Western Reserve School of Cooking, 140 N. Main St.
Kromer will demonstrate how to make the popular treats for Valentine’s Day, including her chocolate raspberry valentine cake made of two extra-large heart-shaped macaroon shells with dark chocolate mousse, fresh raspberries and espresso buttercream.
The class is 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; cost is $90. Phone the school at 330-650-1665 to register.
Middle Eastern eatery
A new restaurant featuring Middle Eastern and American fare plans to open today at 4147 Bridgewater Parkway, Stow.
Ceedo’s Eatery opened Tuesday. Ali Omar is the cook and owner, while his daughter Hanadeh bakes and his son Abdul helps to run the restaurant.
Omar has been cooking in Akron-area restaurants for 40 years. He previously worked at the Carousel Dinner Theater and Harbor Inn, and also had his own restaurant, the former Tallmadge Family Restaurant, for several years.
The restaurant will serve traditional Middle Eastern food, all of which is kosher and halal, including shwarma and falafel, stuffed whole lamb, hummus, tabbouleh and kibbeh. There also are American foods made with a Middle Eastern twist, like a lamb burger as well as a hamburger.
There is a daily breakfast buffet, served from 8 to 10 a.m. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday. Phone 330-940-2424.
Dinner is popping up
Chef Jeffrey Winer, formerly of the Orange Trük food truck, has begun Pop Up Akron, a series of dinners for chefs to focus on some more creative fare.
The first dinner will take place at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Eye Opener, 1688 W. Market St., Akron. (The restaurant is normally closed for dinner.)
Winer will be creating the meal, along with chef Matt Waddell of Rosemont Country Club and pastry chef Britt-Marie Culey.
“We decided to start this so we could do more creative things. We want to do at least one a month,” he said.
The menu includes the traditional French presentation of steak tartare, served with a quail egg and Parmesan toast points; lobster bisque, Belgian endive salad, grilled lamb chop, and chocolate decadence for dessert.
The meal is $55 and must be paid at the time of reservation. Reservation deadline is noon Jan. 16; call 330-671-0033. Wine, beer and spirits will be available for purchase. There will be a $10 corkage charge for bring-your-own wine, which is limited to one bottle per couple.
Wine taste at unWINEd
The newly opened wine bar, unWINEd on Main, 20 N. Main St., Munroe Falls, is hosting its first wine tasting event from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 16.
Owner Greg Stricker said there will be five different wines along with samples of the wine bar’s small plates, including fruit, cheese, Italian meats, olives and gourmet pizzas. There also will be cupcakes from Cupcake Binge!, which operates in the same space.
The event is $30. Reservations are required; phone 330-686-1600.
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.