cupcakes

Cake, Hope & Love – It’s Jawsome To Be Six

July 18, 2017 By Lisa Grigsby

Cake, Hope and Love, a Beavercreek bakery that specializes in custom designed cakes and gourmet cupcakes, has been so busy they haven’t had time to properly celebrate their sixth birthday, which just passed in May. While business at the Fairfield Road store that is open six days a week (closed Sunday) stays constant, they’ve partnered with Zombie Dogz on Brown Street so you can pick up their cup cakes there, cater cupcakes for the Dayton Dragons, offer delivery in a unique partnership with Uber, expanded their offering to add jumbo cupcakes and gourmet doughnuts by the dozen, and if that doesn’t keep them busy enough, they’ve just recently launched their own retail line of sprinkles.

Owner Shannon Teague shares, “we launched Sprinkled as a way to encourage creativity in home bakers (how I started). Plus, we will begin shipping soon! It’ll be a way for folks that have moved to get a little CH&L wherever they are.” She says she got the inspirations from her “favorite Things, favorite flavors, favorite memories. Such as Starry Night Mix from Van Gogh.I am an art lover through and through.”

The price is $8 for each 4 oz bag. You can get between 40 – 50 cupcakes lightly sprinkled with each bag. Down the road, they plan to also have additional bakery items to purchase. Stay tuned.

But back to that 6th anniversary celebration, Cake, Hope & Love will use the upcoming Shark Week, one of Shannon’s favorite promotions to mark the occasion. Each year the bakery has made this a big deal, with special promotions and over the tops cakes and this year it looks to be even bigger.

Here’s what’s scheduled for Saturday, July 22nd from 11am – 5pm as posted on Cake, Hope & Love’s Facebook page:

Kids coloring contest:
We’ll have color sheets (shark themed) and crayons for the kiddos to color. We will have 3 winners that will each score a FREE 6″ dessert cake! (Winner announced next week.) Make sure to put the name and number on the sheet so we know who you are!

Photo Selfie Booth:
The completely awesome Liftoff Entertainment – DJ & Photo Booth Services folks

will have a selfie booth here! You guys, I also bought a shark prop. SO. MUCH. FUN.

Cake Eating Contest:
Okay. This is going to be my favorite part of the day I think. We are only accept

ing FIVE folks for this. We will have a single layer cake that you must eat the fastest …. with no hands. Winner gets a $50 gift card from the bakery! First 5 folks that call the bakery with their name and number get the spots!

Cupcake Bar:
We are going to be baking up our cupcake INSIDE of ice cream cones. We’ll then have three flavors of buttercream for you to have scooped on and fun toppings for you choose from. Each cone will be $3.25

Zombie Dogz:
Some of my very favorite people ever are going to be here slinging some pretty amazing dogs! They’ll be open from 2-5 in the lower parking lot of the bakery!

Baked Goodies:
We will be baking up DONUTS, shark week cupcakes, shark cookies, brownies, and dessert cakes for the big red counter!

Raffle:
If you come in and buy half dozen regular priced cupcakes you can grab a ticket! This will put you in the drawing to win a $100 gift card! WOWZERS!

Costume Contest:
We will be having our annual Shark Bite Victim Contest going on all day. Come in dressed as a shark attack victim and score free cupcakes. The better the costume the more cupcakes you earn (up to 4 free).

Also, BONUS – The Paper Cottage will have ICE CREAM from 12-4 and all kinds of fabulous sales on their scrap booking supplies.

Cake, Hope & Love is located at

1490 N Fairfield Rd, Ste B

Beavercreek, Ohio

(937) 912-9253

Follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

Warped Wing & Jimmie’s Ladder 11 Team up for Food Adventure Event July 31st

June 12, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew Leave a Comment

Dayton’s own brewery, Warped Wing!

It is time to “GET WARPED” at JIMMIES LADDER 11 in July, with a one-night-only, 5 course Food Adventure ! Mark your calendars for July 31st and get your tickets before they sell out !

Only Food Adventures could help deliver such a night. For the first time ever, Dayton’s own WARPED WING BREWING COMPANY will team with Dayton’s own Ladder 11 for and exclusive event!

For all of you who have always wanted to go on a full blown Food Adventure, here’s your chance!

WHAT FOOD: 5 Course dinner at JIMMIE’s LADDER 11. This meal will feature some special menu items, presented and paired, especially for this night.

WHAT DRINK: 3 beers on tap from Dayton’s WARPED WING BREWING CO. paired with 3 food courses and each attendee gets a Warped Wing souvenir pint glass !

MENU FOR THE NIGHT:

COURSE 1: Jimmie’s Homemade Gumbo

COURSE 2: The Cornerstone Salad paired with Ermal’s Belgian Cream Ale from Warped Wing

COURSE 3: Roast Beef Po’ Boy Sandwich paired with Warped Wing’s Flying Rye Pale Ale

COURSE 4: 10 Ton Pulled Pork Quesadilla’s paired with Warped Wing’s 10 Ton Stout

COURSE 5: Double Chocolate Cupcakes topped with 10 Ton Chocolate Gnache.

Jimmie’s Ladder 11, Five course meal, 1 night only

**** Also a SPECIAL AFTER DINNER KEG TAPPING of a NEW WARPED WING BEER – so fresh, we don’t even know yet what the brew will be! The tapping will feature special drink prices on pints !

You can also expect The Big Ragu to pass out some samples of a favorite Jimmie’s Food Truck item.

WHEN: THURSDAY NIGHT, JULY 31st at 6:30pm

COST: $30 per person (pre-pay only) and that includes the tip !!!! Tickets may only be bought online here. We are expecting another sellout, so get your tickets now !

WHAT ELSE: Door prizes, gift cards, t-shirt giveaways, souvenir pint glass, meet and greet with Jimmie and the Ladder 11 family, and a look at the brand new Jimmie’s food truck with The Big Ragu!

Don’t miss this unique, one-of-a-kind Food Adventure! See you at Jimmie’s in July !!

BUY TICKETS Now– limited seating available, when spots are gone, they are gone !

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Local, Legendary Food Adventures at 2nd Street Market – Part 1

December 13, 2013 By The Food Adventures Crew 1 Comment

Some of the Best of Dayton, all in one place !

How about one building that combines some of the best cooks in Dayton and lines them up along the wall in their own vendor booths? It’s not a dream, it’s reality in downtown Dayton.

This is the first of 2 Food Adventure installments over the next few days, and both cover Dayton’s 2nd Street Market. What a shocker, the first one focuses on FOOD !

The Big Ragu & Crew have become semi-regulars at the market over the past few years. Some of our tastiest excursions have been in this treasure trove of great eats.

Variety is the spice of life, and this is true for the market located on the corner of Webster and 2nd Street. If you have never stopped in, then you haven’t had some for Dayton’s best.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— A great place to grab a bite to eat and a unique place to do some Christmas shopping !!! The official address is 600 E. Second St.

— The market is open 3 days: Thursday & Friday 11am-3pm, and Saturday 8am – 3pm. The great offerings are overwhelming and coming here has become one of our Food Adventure addictions.

— Many vendors offer fresh fruit & vegetables. Others offer freshly baked desserts and breads. You want more? How about cheeses, meats, spices, canned goods and more. There are more local, fresh and organic choices here than anyplace we know of in Dayton.

The best tasting side you never heard of: Sweet Potato Quinoa from Chef Case

MUST EATS:

— THE SMOKED SALMON CREPE at CREPE BOHEME : The Big Ragu will tell you this is the best place in Dayton to get a crepe. Crepe master Sabine combines the smoked salmon with goat cheese, capers and grilled vegetables. It is a symphony in your mouth. Her secret is using the freshest ingredients around and flavor combinations that will knock your socks off. Not a salmon fan? No worries.. choose one of the menu items or “make your own” crepe with various ingredients. Prepare to be blown away.Honorable Mention: The crepe with Nutella, marshmallows and blackberries. All the taste of guilty pleasure with not so much guilt.

— FAMOUS CHICKEN PANINI from THE CHEF CASE : Chef Joe Fish believes that using local ingredients promotes fresh flavor. Here he works some magic with a whole herb grilled chicken breast and Artesian Basil Pesto. The panini is made on fresh bread and pressed, thereby melting provolone and Parmesan cheese into gooey deliciousness. The chef is a Culinary Institute of America graduate and creates some of the best tastes in town. In fact, there are so many delicious menu items here that we have to give honorable mention to two more of them. First, make sure you try a serving of the Sweet Potato Quinoa. It is a healthy, flavorful side dish that not many people know about. Trust us on this ! Lastly the MONTE CRISTO PANINI is a sandwich you need to get your hands on. It is ham, turkey and swiss cheese finished with a pure maple syrup drizzle. Give your taste buds a good value for around 7 bucks.

Peanut Brittle Cupcakes from Purely Sweet Bakery (click to enlarge)

— THE DISTINGUISED DARBY at CHEEKY MEAT PIES: Who doesn’t love tasty meat and spices in a flaky crust? Forget about calories, the taste is worth every mouthful. This original take on New Zealand Street food is gaining a bit of a cult following in the Miami Valley. “The Darby” verison is ground beef mixed with spices for a delicious combo. The meat pies are hand held and made to be mobile. Be careful when taking a bite, they are hot inside ! A friendly staff makes the experience that much more fun. Honorable Mention: The Dirty Bird Meat Pie is a tasty treat and a perfect bite “on the go” at the market. It features chicken and a delicious sauce. We can’t describe these fantastic meat pies, you just gotta try them !

— THE WASABI PEAS at THE SPICE RACK: The Big Ragu can’t help himself. He craves these, and you will too. Dried peas, dipped in wasabi and sold by the box for only 2 bucks. Perfect for snacking at home, but we warn you.. ADDICTIVE ! The spice rack has some many incredible items from Amish butter to incredible spice rubs. Check this place out for some hidden treasures for the foodie in you.

— POLLO GUISADO at AREPAS and CO. : Braised chicken thigh (although we ask for the shredded white meat chicken instead), mixed with tomatoes, red peppers, onions and green beans. All of it is served over rice and plantains. Finally pick from one of various sauce toppings drizzled on top. We pick two (garlic and hot sauce) ! Get a friend to help you lift this plate and eat it. HUGE PORTION !

The best crepes in Dayton are at Crepe Boheme

— THE SHRIMP WITH HOT CHILI SAUCE at BAAN THAI NOI: We are always pleasantly surprised with Baan Thai Noi’s dishes. Our favorite is the Shrimp with Hot Chili Sauce. Two skewers of grilled basil shrimp are served over fried rice with a side of shredded cabbage and a delicious spring roll. The key to this dish is the sauce we choose to top the shrimp. The hot chili sauce is so sweet, with some heat and a whole lot of taste. Don’t knock it til you try it, this one is a sleeper !

Is your mouth watering yet? Well the good news is, the weekend is here and they are open ! Get yourself down there and stroll around the grounds and soon you’ll be tastin’ Dayton.

More Honorable mentions include:

The Cupcakes at Purely Sweet Bakery, The Cabbage Rolls at Kolbs Bakery, The Jumbalaya at All Souped Up, The Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna) at Azra’s, and some good coffee at Caffeine by Carl.

We would be remiss if we didnt mention that their are numerous other fantastic farm vendors with fresh vegetables, honey, fresh maple syrup and organic milk. Check them all out while you are there.

The 2nd Street Market is truly Food Adventure paradise !!

In the market for some more from the “Miami Valley foodies ?” Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

Check out some of our best photos yet in the gallery below from our numerous trips to the 2nd Street Market over the years !!!

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Dayton’s First Ever Sweet Treats Festival

January 15, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby 1 Comment

Get ready to satisfy your Sweet Tooth at the inaugural Sweet Treats Festival presented by Dayton Most Metro! Guests will have a chance to indulge in cupcakes, candies, and cookies on Sunday, January 27th. This epicurean adventure will showcase over 20 of the area’s top bakeries, chocolatiers, pastry artisans or home-based businesses known for creating decadent desserts. Attendees will be asked to help select Dayton’s Best Sweet Treat by voting for their favorite at the event. The line up for treats so far includes cookies, cupcakes, candies, truffles, whoopie pies, biscotti, chocolate dipped fruit, fudge, toffee, peanut brittle cake pops, brownies, baklava and so much more!

Whoopie Pies from Thistle Confections

Held at Commander Aero, located just south of Austin Road on St Rt 741 in Miamisburg, the event will run from 1 – 4pm. Tickets will be sold for $25 in advance, $30 at the door. There is even a special group ticket deal- buy a bakers dozen (13) for the cost of just 10 tickets ($250). Admission covers a taste from each vendor, a bottle of Aquafina water and insights and lessons from the vendors on the Kroger Demonstration Stage. Tim Horton’s will be on hand serving up coffee as well.

Sweet Treats was originally conceived as an opportunity to showcase the growing number of small independent cup cake shops that have popped up in the Miami Valley in the last couple of years. As Dayton Most Metro started researching possible participating bakeries, we were amazed that there were well over 50 locally owned shops in the area. We quickly reached and exceeded our goal to have 20 participating vendors and already have a waiting list and a number of entrepreneurs asking to be kept in the loop for next year. We’ve got bakers that will be offering up sugar free treats, gluten free goodies and even vegan sweets like the whoopie pies pictured to the right at Sweet Treats.

Cupcakes from Cake, Hope & Love

Sweet Treats is made possible with support from Tim Hortons and Austin Landing. Part of our mission in creating this festival is to give back to our community. As our first charity partner we’ve chosen A Kid Again.

Their mission is enrich the lives of children with life threatening illnesses and their families by providing healing times of respite through our fun-filled group activities and destination events, which we call adventures. They offer year round adventures that foster laughter, joy, normalcy and supportive networking opportunities. Their goal is to offer our children, siblings and parents a cost free occasion to enjoy quality time together and to create lasting memories. Representatives from A Kid Again will be on hand at the festival to share more about their program and ways you can help.

Tickets available online at www.SweetTreatsFestival.com and will be available at participating vendors by 1/12/13.

Moore Dessert Please award winning cupcakes as seen on the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars.

Can’t make the festival? Dayton Most Metro’s Food Adventure team, SuperFry and The Big Ragu will be on hand to taste on your behalf and will be sharing their votes for best Sweet Treats in a wrap-up article on the fest.

For those of you who are trying to keep that New Year’s get in shape resolution, but still want to support this event, you can make an online donation on the Sweet Treats website.