Examining the Craft in Beer

SECTION B COURIER NEWS :: MYCENTRALJERSEY.COM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2015

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MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER In honor of Mardi Gras festivities this month, a new line of King Cakes is now available through La Bonbonniere Bake Shoppes (via a partnership with legendary bakery Paul's Pastry Shop in Mississippi). GOOD TO BE KING La Bonbonnierre Bake Shoppes let the good times roll with authentic King Cakes in time for Mardi Gras

SUSAN BLOOM CORRESPONDENT eb. 17 marks the culmination of Mardi Gras, an annual festival which commemorates “Fat Tues- day,” the day before Ash Wednes- day and the beginning of the 40- dFay Christian period of sacrifice known as Lent. First celebrated in New Orleans in 1857, Mardi Gras has since become well-known for its flam- boyant parades, lively jazz and blues music, bright masks and costume beads in the traditional colors of purple, green and gold (repre- senting justice, faith and power). But perhaps nothing is more symbolic of this famed celebration than King Cake, a cinnamon roll-like baked good with a small plastic baby laden in its folds for a lucky recipient to find.

La Bonbonniere Bake Shoppes, with several Central Jersey locations, is making, shipping and selling the circular cakes. Here See KING, Page B3 production manager Bobby Gomez speeds out the different fillings inside of each cake.

Examining the FOOD BASKET craft in beer Looking for a JOHN HOLL place to spend DRAFT PICKS

There is a word that is used often in Valentine’s Day? the beer world, but means different things to different people and organiza- SARAH GRIESEMER tions. The use of this particular word @SARAHEGRIESEMER has seemingly muddied the water of the industry, causing confusion, blind pas- Still searching for the perfect place to spend Valen- sion and confrontation. The word, of tine’s Day? Here’s a sampling of local restaurants and course, is craft. what they’re offering this weekend. The word craft has played an important role in re- Fiddleheads in Jamesburg will serve brunch from shaping the global beer industry landscape to how it is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m. On today. After the word microbrew fell out of fashion, the dinner menu: roasted vegetable naan pizzette, smaller breweries needed a way to distinguish them- stuffed risotto balls, smoked tomato bisque, pistachio selves from larger breweries. That goal has largely salmon, and sage mushroom tortellini. Dinner is $45 succeeded, and the craft segment continues to grow. A per person. Fiddleheads is at 27 East Railroad Ave.; recent report says that the U.S. craft segment com- call 732-521-0878. bined recently outsold the total volume of Budweiser. The Shannon Rose Irish Pub in Woodbridge will Sure, it took 3,000-plus breweries to tackle one giant, serve a three-course meal that includes oysters on the but it happened. half shell, Chesapeake crab cakes, a 10-ounce prime Overall, the word has become co-opted. While it is rib and grilled mahi mahi. For dessert, there’s pecan about beer, it’s also about marketing. Now the so-called pie and apple tart. Dinner is $30 per person and in- big guys are in on the game, knowing that there is a cludes a glass of champagne. The Shannon Rose Irish trend these days toward small and local with certain Pub is at 855 Saint Georges Ave.; call 732-636-6100. COURTESY OF JOHN HOLL See DRAFT, Page B2 “All About Beer” magazine March, 2015 cover. See BASKET, Page B3 MyCentralJersey.com Courier News Wednesday, February 11, 2015 Page B3

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King Continued from Page B1

And thanks to a creative new partnership with the renowned Paul’s Pastry Shop in Picayune, Mississippi, La Bonbon- niere Bake Shoppes throughout Central Jer- sey are now offering the Southern bakery’s authentic King Cakes so that local residents can enjoy a bit of Bayou country mys- tique. “We like to be creative and offer special items from different parts of the country in honor of unique celebrations, and we always try to get the most authentic recipe we can,” said La Bonbonniere owner Brian Pansari. So when the more than 60- year old La Bonbonniere was invited to become the exclusive Northeast re- gion baker and distributor of Paul’s Pastry’s Original Fruit and Cream Cheese- Filled King Cakes, the bakery jumped at the op- portunity. Named the “Best of MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER King Cakes in Mississip- La Bonbonniere owner Brian Pansari (left) and production manager Bobby Gomez (right) hold a couple of finished cakes that are for sale in the store. pi” in 2014 by the official ‘Best Of’ company, Paul’s sells more than 150,000 King Cakes nationwide each year — 70,000 of so many of them are copy- Tap the kid in you large size, which serves them during the five-to- ing us,” she added. 20 to 25 and is priced at eight week Mardi Gras “The tang of the cream As at Paul’s, King $25. Fresh-baked product season alone — and its cheese mixes nicely with Cakes at La Bonbonniere is also available for ship- unique approach to this the sweetness of the fruit are offered in such fla- ment and arrives at its fun and festive cake has and all of the flavors com- vors as Berry Deluxe (a destination in a kit that set a new industry-wide plement each other really mix of strawberries, blue- comes complete with bar. well,” said Pansari. berries, raspberries and Mardi Gras beads, a cele- In preparation for the blackberries over cream bration cup, and all of the Get the party official launch of the cheese), any one of those items needed to decorate started cakes at their bakeries berry flavors alone; pecan the cake — an option last month, La Bonbon- praline, which features which Pansari describes Traditionally, King niere staffers received cream cheese, maple- as “a party in a box.” Cakes had been made onsite training from glazed pecans and brown “We love the opportu- with Danish dough and en- Paul’s Pastry Shop per- sugar in the filling; cinna- nity to make adults feel hanced only with cinna- sonnel in December to en- MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER mon with cream cheese; like kids again,” Thigpen mon. Among the many sure that every step was The cakes start off with cream cheese scoops. or just plain cinnamon, all agreed. tasty tweaks that Paul’s executed just as it is in the of which are freshly has introduced into this originator’s 10,600- made, topped with a but- To have your cake delicacy, however, is a square-foot facility in Pic- ter-vanilla-sugar glaze, soft and smooth bread- ayune. Samples from New and decorated with sliced La Bonbonniere Bake like dough, which is fold- Jersey were shipped to based on its high-quality beginning because we almonds and colored sug- Shoppe has locations in ed and not braided to bet- Paul’s for taste-testing, products, commitment to have a large production of ar crystals. Edison, South Plainfield, ter hold fillings. “We were where they received excellence, outstanding and experience with “We also offer a flavor the Somerset section of also the first bakery to unanimous approval. reputation, and enthusi- bread and cake,” Pansari called Mississippi Mud, Franklin, and Woodbridge start selling King Cakes “We ship a lot of King asm for trying new things. said. “We love the oppor- which incorporates a and can be reached at 800- with cream cheese in Cakes to the East Coast, “The team at Paul’s tunity to think outside the chocolate cream and wal- 471-BAKE (2253) or by 1972, and it’s a proprietary and that’s what made us Pastry Shop has been fan- box and introduce deli- nut filling topped with visiting www.labon.com. recipe,” Paul’s Pastry want to share our exclu- tastic and helped us cious items that are popu- chocolate glaze and wal- The bakery’s new line of Shop owner Sherri Thig- sive recipe with some of through the process of lar in certain areas, and nuts,” Pansari said. King Cakes is available pen said. the outstanding bakeries baking the King Cakes to these cakes are fun and All are available at the now in celebration of Mar- “Back then, some bak- out there,” said Thigpen, their exact standards, but exciting.” bakery in either a medium di Gras as well as all year- ers said that ours weren’t who said she was attract- we were a great fit for this size, which serves 10 to 15 round and can be custom- real King Cakes, but now ed to La Bonbonniere partnership from the very and is priced at $15, or a ized to any colors.

3KDUPDF\ Lawrenceville. Hosted by Hunterdon event raised $9,500 for Basket For more information, Central Regional High five local food pantries. &251(5 visit www.terhune School Commons, the Admission is $10, and Continued from Page B1 orchards.com. event will feature nearly attendees are asked to two dozen local restau- bring a can of food to do- An American Legion rants competing for the ti- nate. Jockey Hollow Bar + Valentine tle of Best Soup in Hunter- Hunterdon Central Re- Kitchen in Morristown don County. Last year, gional High School Com- will mark its first Valen- The Ladies Auxiliary Teaberry’s Tea Room took mons is at 29 Junction tine’s Day with a different of American Legion Post Judges’ Choice with its Road in Flemington. For E\2OLYHU1NZRQWD53K dining experience in each 390 Denville will host Val- baked potato soup, Moun- COURTESY OF CHOCODIEM more information, call of its renovated Vail Man- entine’s Day dinner from tain View Chalet won Peo- Enjoy an evening of art and 609-460-4530. IN A TIGHT SQUEEZE sion rooms. A five-course 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. ples’ Choice with creamy good chocolate Friday at If you are concerned about tasting menu will be On the menu: spaghetti buffalo chicken soup, “Chocolat: Chocolate Email Food Basket items to hypertension, you might served upstairs in The with meatballs or sau- Hunterdon Medical Cen- Painting with Chocodiem.” Sarah Griesemer at occasionally stop by blood pressure monitoring kiosks at Dining Room, ($120), a sage, salad, bread, soda, ter’s portobello mush- [email protected]. malls, gyms, and other public four-course dinner in The water and desserts. room with sausage soup places to have your pressure Oyster Bar ($90 per per- The cost is $10 per per- and Teaberry’s baked po- will take place from 5 to 7 checked. If so, you should be son) and a three-course son. tato soup tied for second p.m., is a community aware that the FDA recently dinner in the Rathskeller The American Legion place, and Ye Old Sub awareness project for the warned that these are not one- size-fi ts-all devices. These ($75). Jockey Hollow Bar Post is at 9 Legion Place in Base took third place for Rotary Clubs of Hunter- machines measure blood pressure + Kitchen is at 110 South Denville. For more infor- its beer cheese soup. don, according to a news with an automatically infl ating St.; call 973-644-3180. mation, call 973-627-8237. The cook-off, which release, and last year’s cuN , which, if too small, yields The Frog and The an artifi cially high number. And Peach in New Brunswick Sweet paintings if the cuN is too big, it gives an is hosting a dinner that be- artifi cially low number or no Y number at all. The diN erence gins with an amuse of Car- Combine your love of PART between these and the blood ATE LE olina shrimp, andouille art and chocolate with PRIV ILAB pressure cuN s used in doctors’ AVA ers oM ces is that kiosks use fi xed- sausage and Creole mus- “Chocolat: Chocolate OOM Dinn R rsal wers size cuN s and medical oM ces use tard rémoulade, appetiz- Painting with Choco- ehea Sho R Baby diN erent-size cuN s. Home devices ers of truffled chicken diem” this Fridayat the al & Brid with custom-fi t cuN s may provide noodle soup and cured tu- Hunterdon Art Museum the most accurate readings. na sashimi; entrees of in Clinton. Today’s educational column grilled lamb shank with The evening will begin about the various sizes and aN ects kobacha squash puree at 7 p.m. and feature a with diN erent blood measuring and seared day boat sea chocolate tasting with devices is brought to you as a scallops with sesame pea- Jean-Paul Hepp, founder EValentines & public service. Please, talk to a T pharmacist at SCOTT DRUGS, nut noodle, among other of Chocodiem in Clinton. A BR located at 701 Park Ave., dishes, and for dessert Artist Amanda Wentz will E EL Carnivale Weekend Plainfi eld if you have questions. there’s Valrhona choco- guide participants in C We are up-to-date on the latest late marquise, sticky tof- painting truffles with treatments and would be pleased fee pudding and classic dyed cocoa butter, and to discuss any and all the options créme brûlée. Dinner is samples of European- WITH US! with you. Our pharmacists can provide general information on $85. The Frog and The style hot chocolate will be hypertension. If you are uncertain Peach is at 29 Dennis St.; offered. Enjoy a Romantic Candlelit Dinner about some medicines please call 732-846-3216. The cost is $35 per per- call 908.754.1600 for answers. Pie for presidents son or $60 for couples. We oN er 60 years of combined George Washington The Hunterdon Art Featuring: Traditional Napolitana Carnivale Entrees experience. and cherry trees go hand Museum is at 7 Lower HINT: Blood pressure readings in hand, and this month, so Center St. in Clinton. For taken with home devices may do Terhune Orchards and more information or to re- PLEASE CALL FORFOR provide the best overall blood Full menu with Chef Specials pressure picture because patients cherry pie. serve a spot, call 908-735- RESERVATIONSRESERVATIONS can take their blood pressure more To celebrate Presi- 8415 or visit www.hunter GLUTEN FREE ENTRÉES NOW AVAILABLE! frequently and when they are more dents’ Day, Terhune’s an- donartmuseum.org. relaxed. nual cherry pie sale is un- – LOCATED AT THE COURTYARDS – 3OHDVHHPDLO\RXUTXHVWLRQV der way: Through Feb. 17, Soup for you! RUFRPPHQWVWR fresh-baked cherry pies 318318 ROUTERO 202/206 N TEL: 908.781.5100 VFRWWGUXJVU[#\DKRRFRP are $2 off. The Rotary Clubs of PLUCKEMIN, NJ FAX: 908.781.6747 To order, call 609-924- Hunterdon County’s 2310, email info@terhune Eighth annual Hunterdon www.LunaRossaNJ.com orchards.com or visit 330 County Soup Cook-off is

AP-5000729473 AP-5000732627 6FRWW'UXJV Cold Soil Road in set for Feb. 23.