Have you ever had to pivot, in life or business? For the Virginia entrepreneur, a pivot is usually both a business and a life change simultaneously.
In the Spring of 2020, COVID-19 reached Virginia, and we were all asked to shelter at home. But there was a distant light on the horizon. Restaurants and craft beverage makers were still allowed to provide take out, delivery, and curbside pick-up. With hundreds of options, business owners knew that they had to create something with spark across the Commonwealth. Something that would stand-out.
Virginia prevailed. The outcome included some tasty inventions.
Ice Cream for the Win
A friend sent us a message early one Saturday morning. “Have you seen the Crazy Shakes at Mabel’s? I am going there today.” The best way to describe a Crazy Shake is a thick shake in a glass adorned with more custom-made treats. Actually, the best way to fully understand this tasty invention mega shake is to go to their online shop and browse the photos. Pre-order the shake and then make your way to Powhatan, Virginia. It is worth the drive!
Speaking of ice cream, Smileys Ice Cream, @smileysicecream, has invented some amazing Summer flavors, including fresh strawberry. Yes, each flavor on the calendar is lovingly made by hand. We know that we will be stopping by their shop at least once a week. Follow along as we post their ice cream flavor calendar all Summer.
A Special Columbian Treat in NoVA
For a truly unique tasty invention try this combination of fresh fruit, shaved ice, cheese, and ice cream, we stopped by Colombian’s Place at ChefScape in Leesburg, Virginia. We first saw these amazing photos, posted on the public Facebook Group, @DWS Food and Beverage Lovers of Virginia. So, we reached out to them to find out about their popular Summer Chaloa and their fruit salad.
“Cholao” is a fresh similar colorful salad with all kinds of fruit and flake ice, condensed milk and sweet syrups of different flavours and are ideal for cooling you during the Summer.”—Graysi Medina
Learn to Make Cider Cocktails
What happens when you’re planning to launch a new seasonal cider, and a pandemic keeps everyone from visiting your cidery? Bold Rock Hard Cider dealt with that exact situation earlier in May. It turned a challenging situation into an opportunity for innovation. Their approach included a drive-thru parking lot pick-up so that fans eager to try a new style could snag Pineapple Cider at their Nellysford Cidery while maintaining a safe distance and ensuring minimal contact. They built on a successful launch of Pineapple with a Facebook Live cocktail class to keep the fun rolling. Fans learned to make cocktails by following along with Lindsay Dorrier III, Bold Rock’s Brand Manager. Game on, Bold Rock! Team DW&S decided to invent our own pineapple cider cocktails, and Valley Pike Farm Market created one too. You will find the recipes included in this eBook.
If you would like to watch a recording of the Bold Rock cocktail class, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/BoldRockHardCider/videos/727488881124007/
At Home with a Chef
Mise En Place Cooking School Launches Online Classes
With its culinary studio temporarily closed in Shockoe Slip, Mise En Place Cooking School launched its cooking classes online, via zoom. Join Chef Christine Wansleben for Friday night cooking classes. Guests register online and will receive a grocery list with tips and techniques to cook along with friends. We know there will be many tasty inventions coming out of this class. Class registration is $25 per household. You can find all of the details on their Facebook page, @miseenplaceRVA
“Although we can’t host you in our kitchen, it doesn’t mean we still can’t cook together,” Wansleben said. “We can still interact in new ways, building and renewing relationships with every chop, dice & saute, and still maintain social distancing.”
Kevin Clay, Big Spoon Co, participated in the first class as he posted on Facebook. Dinner looks great, Kevin.
Also, Mise En Place is also offering private online cooking parties for corporate team building with a customized menu made for each group.
