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A heavenly new place to dine at Eden Resort

The Eden Resort & Suites launched Bistro 2two2 with a private opening May 4. The hotel’s new restaurant opened to the public May 8. It takes its name from the Manheim Township hotel’s address at 222 Eden Road, Lancaster.  

Bistro 2two2 is in the space formerly occupied by Garfield’s, which opened in 1984 and closed in March 2020 during the pandemic.  

“We used the space for some private functions, but it never re-opened to the public.” explained Stephen Sikking, managing partner of Eden Inn & Suites. “After about six or eight months, our team of managers started talking about redoing the restaurant’s concept. We discussed who our customers for the restaurant are and what they’re looking for in a restaurant,”   

Like Garfield’s, Bistro 2two2 is expected to be utilized by both hotel guests and the general public.  

“We are really proud and excited to introduce a fresh, new dining experience to Lancaster County,” Sikking said, “Being able to rebound from the setback of the pandemic that led to the closure of Garfield’s is impactful and a testament to the talented staff that has worked hard to make this possible.   

“Bistro 2two2 will be a great gathering place for locals while also providing a memorable dining experience for our out-of-town guests.”   

The space has been completely renovated. The interior boasts a modern feel that’s highlighted by strategically placed live greenery, which also highlights the main entrance.   

There’s an expanded bar and an open-flame pizza oven. There’s a modern feel to the space and it’s highlighted by live greenery.  

“We found there was a desire for more of a bar area, so we expanded the bar,” said Sikking. “It’s also somewhat separated from the other dining space, so families can feel comfortable here as well. The pizza oven is an open area, so it allows us to offer freshly made pizzas, and people can watch pizzas being made.”  

An outdoor patio has been added. Strings of overhead party lights enhance the patio’s vibe.   

Sikking said executive chef Gabriel Montalvo and chef Michael Durham, Bistro 2two2 head chef, worked with the hotel’s team to create the restaurant’s menu, which also includes a kid’s menu. Menu offerings include pizza, small plates and appetizers, salads, burgers and handhelds, entrées and drink specials.    

Bistro 2two2 seats 120 indoors and 60 on the patio. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.   

Sikking said CGA served as both the architect and designer for the project. While he declined to disclose the exact cost for the project to transform the former Garfield’s space into Bistro 2two2 and add the patio area, he indicated that it was about $1 million. Eden Resort & Suites opened 51 years ago as the Treadway Inn.  

Rochelle A. Shenk is a freelance writer. 

Food round up: World’s largest chicken barbecue canceled, European-style restaurants open

The Civitas Lancaster annual chicken barbecue at Long’s Park has been canceled, with organizers citing increased costs, decreased demand and a lack of volunteers.

Hailed as the world’s largest chicken barbecue, the spring event – which began in 1953 – was suspended this year and for the foreseeable future, according to a post on the Civitas Lancaster website.

President Nicki Nafziger said in the post that “this was a very difficult decision for us to make because so many people have been a part of this for decades. But it no longer makes financial sense for us to expend the effort it takes to run this huge undertaking for the small return we are now generating.”

Increased food costs and the loss of key sponsors have significantly cut into the amount of net money raised at the barbecue, she explained. “We would like to thank everyone who ever donated to, volunteered for or sponsored our event. It holds the record for the largest one-day chicken barbecue and we’re very proud of that.”

Nafziger emphasized that Civitas Lancaster, which was Sertoma Lancaster before rebranding, is in financially sound shape, and will continue to support Long’s Park and other community nonprofits.

Italian, French restaurants open

There was also recent good news on the food front, too.

Luna Italian Cuisine restaurant opened March 6 in Mechanicsburg, at 100 Legacy Park Drive, Suite 2. According to its website, it “specializes in gourmet Italian foods curated by only the finest chefs in the area. We also feature a Euro-modern cocktail bar and host the area’s only after-hours Disco Pub.”

The menu (reservations are required) features an array of pasta, meat and fish dishes, pizza and antipasti.

Chef de Crepes has also relocated to from Mechanicsburg to a larger venue at 2017 Market St., Camp Hill.

The creperie run by the Cheverez family was inspired by their journeys to France. They opened in the summer of 2019 with a pop-up tent at vineyards. When COVID-19 hit, “we decided to get creative,” according to their website. The Cheverezes bought a food truck they dubbed Jean-Pierre and took it around central Pennsylvania, to increase mobility.

They then opened a creperie eatery – modeled after Laduree House in Paris – in December 2020, serving traditional and family-inspired crepes.

In just two years, the Cheverezes needed bigger quarters and have now moved from Mechanicsburg to Camp Hill.

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer

Former GIANT exec hired to impact access to fresh, affordable food

Nicholas Bertram is accustomed to making a giant impact. 

The retail industry veteran and former president of The GIANT Company has joined the leadership team of Flashfood in the newly created position of president and chief operating officer.  

Flashfood is a digital marketplace connecting consumers to fresh, discounted foods such as bakery and deli items, meats, produce, and snacks nearing their best-by date. The Toronto-based company is used in grocers in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. 

During Bertram’s tenure at GIANT, the company tested the app across four locations in Lancaster in 2020 and announced at the time it would be implementing the app in 170 participating GIANT and Martin’s Markets stores. 

Flashfood Founder and CEO Josh Domingues said in a statement that Bertram brings “an unprecedented level” of first-hand leadership experience with many of the biggest names in retail, including GIANT, Walmart, and Jewel-Osco. 

“His vision and successes around sustainable retailing align perfectly with our company’s mission to reduce food that is wasted throughout the retail sector,” said Domingues. “Nick has seen how the level of waste experienced by grocers represents billions of dollars in lost revenue and understands the massive impact this also has on our planet. 

“More importantly, he understands how this food could have helped families, which is a shared passion he brings to Flashfood that will help fuel our next phase of growth.” 

Bertram has more than 20 years of experience in the retail sector. His tenure with GIANT resulted in reported historic growth via acquisitions, market expansion, new formats, and exponential growth of digital engagement and eCommerce sales. 

“I have never been more excited about the collective impact the food industry, sustainability-minded investors and technology companies like Flashfood can have on our future,” Bertram said. “Josh and the rest of the board of directors have given me an amazing opportunity to join at this stage, with such a talented team and unique product.”

Flashfood enjoyed an historic year in 2022 as it diverted more than 65 million pounds of food from landfills. The milestone was achieved after the company’s expansion to over 1,550 grocery stores in North America. 

Along with providing consumers and retailers with a solution to reduce food waste, Flashfood stated in a press release that it has fed hundreds of thousands of families and saved shoppers more than $150 million on grocery bills at a time when food costs are rising more than 11 percent. 

Flashfood’s free app on iOS and Android operates in over 1,550 grocery locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The app allows consumers to purchase items from grocery retailers and pick them up in-store at lower prices and at the same time reduce food waste. 

Flashfood works with The GIANT Company, Meijer, Tops Friendly Markets, Loblaw, Martin’s Markets, VG’s, Family Fare, Food Lion, Stop & Shop, Giant Food, Save A Lot, and Giant Eagle. 

“Together with its retail partners,” Bertram said, “Flashfood is already making huge inroads in reducing food waste while helping consumers save money – and now is the right time to accelerate this bold work.” 

As COO, Bertram will seek to accelerate Flashfood’s growth, working with Domingues and internal department leaders to develop capabilities and innovation that impact both food insecurity and food waste. 

Best gas station food? Survey says it’s Wawa

Wawa beats out other gas stations nationwide for having the best food, in a new survey from Payless Power.

The suburban Philadelphia-based convenience store chain, which is expanding farther into central Pennsylvania as well as other states, was the top choice in this category among 1,011 Americans asked about their gas station preferences.

Costco and Sheetz, which also have a presence in the region, did well, too.

Some other highlights from the survey:

· Overall, Costco was No. 1, Sam’s Club No. 3, Wawa No. 4 and Sheetz No. 5 in the ranking of America’s best stops.

· Costco was the cleanest and cheapest gas station. Wawa was fourth cleanest.

· Wawa had the most spent on each visit on average, $84.46, and the shortest average time, 16 minutes.

· Sheetz and Costco ranked third and fourth, respectively, as having the best food.

Of the 57% men and 43% women surveyed, 10% were baby boomers, 22% were Gen X, 43% were millennials and 25% were Gen Z.

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer

State awards $1.58 million in grants to small meat and poultry processors 

Warren County Meats, home to Cabin Hollow Butcher Shop in Dillsburg, York County, where Very Small Meat and Poultry Processors Reimbursement Grants were awarded Wednesday – PHOTO/PROVIDED 
Warren County Meats, home to Cabin Hollow Butcher Shop in Dillsburg, York County, where Very Small Meat and Poultry Processors Reimbursement Grants were awarded Wednesday – PHOTO/PROVIDED

Six area small meat and poultry processors were among 20 across the state to receive part of $1.58 million in grants to help build capacity to meet the demand for local foods. 

 Agriculture Deputy Secretary Cheryl Cook was in Dillsburg, York County Wednesday to announce the recipients of the 2022-23 Very Small Meat and Poultry Processors Reimbursement Grants which were created under the state Farm Bill in 2019. 

 “This crucial grant helps small processors feed local demand,” said Cook. “We saw vividly during the pandemic that shorter supply chains not only give customers the local products they crave, but help small producers beef up their bottom lines and stay in business when large, multi-state operations may struggle.” 

The announcement was made at Cabin Hollow Butcher Shop in Dillsburg, with owner and president Darryl Jones accepting a $100,000 grant. Since its inception, the Very Small Meat and Poultry Processors Grant has reimbursed $2 million to support the expansion of 35 businesses. 

This is the fourth year the grant has been offered through the efforts of the Wolf Administration and the General Assembly in creating the first-in-the-nation state Farm Bill. 

“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been buying more food to keep at home, which has created large backlogs of jobs for processors like us,” said Jones. “Through the grant, our facility can purchase high-efficient equipment that will increase production by 500%, shortening wait times, serving more customers, and allowing us to share more with our community.” 

“In times of hardship, we turn to partnerships, including charitable food organizations like our Feeding Pennsylvania partners, to sustain us and see us through. With grants like the Very Small Meat and Poultry Processors Grant, we’re building a firm bedrock to support our communities and commonwealth for the future,” Cook said. 

Following are the local grant recipients, by county and amount received: 

Adams 

Chapel Ford Farm, $99,300 

Rettland Farm LLC, $100,000 

Cumberland 

Route 174 Roadside Market, $39,000 

Lehigh 

Lehigh Valley Meats, $100,000 

Slate Belt Butchery, $43,000 

York 

Cabin Hollow Butcher Shop Inc, DBA Warrington Farm Meats, $100,000Â