Jennifer Savino – TV Host of Bite Me

The latest “Bite Me” episode can be seen by clicking on the link above.  Find out how Linda was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug. Hope you enjoy

**READ BELOW TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN WIN 2 DOZEN FREE COOKIES FROM BAKE FOR YOU!!**

It’s no secret that sugar is my drug of choice (yes, I do love my vino and beer too!:) so when I’m able to get my fix AND shoot an episode of  “Bite Me,” I get really excited.  Linda started Bake for You 3 years ago after friends and family kept asking her to bake for them.  She thought “Hey, I could start a business and call it Bake for You!”  Well the rest is history and now she makes all of her wonderful delights in a commercial kitchen overlooking Washington Park in downtown Albany.  Linda’s favorite things to bake are scones and cookies but she also makes cupcakes, brownies and a variety of other baked goods including a vegan line.

Scones, Cookies and Brownies

I’m all about butter and eggs so when I found out we were going to be making vegan cookies for the show, I was skeptical. Well leave these specialty type baked goods in the hands of a professional because her vegan cookies were amazing!!!

Ingredients

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it ended up being rich and soft and everything you want in a cookie.  Lucky for me, Linda sent me home with an EXTREMELY generous goodie box which included her cranberry scones, two types of cookies and mind blowing brownies so I got to sample (I use that term lightly, more like scarf) a variety of her items.

Box full of goodies

She is truly a wonderful baker and it’s obvious that she puts love and care into all of her baked goods, which are only made in small batches.  Linda hand mixes almost all of her dough’s and uses only organic and local products whenever possible. The other telltale sign that she cares about her baked goods is the fact that she uses Cabot butter from VT.  That’s what I used back in my baking days and there is no question that it makes a big difference in taste and texture.  It looks like Linda’s waitressing days are over.  Because she was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, she now gets to do what she loves and we get to enjoy her goodies.  To learn more about Bake for You visit their website at www.BakeForYou.com

**COOKIE CONTEST** WIN 2 DOZEN FREE COOKIES from Bake for You!  For five days, I will be taking submissions on the Bite Me Facebook page for a new cookie flavor. Just tell me what your idea is and what you would like to name your cookie.  The Facebook fan who comes up with the winning idea for a new cookie flavor will receive 2 dozen of them for FREE.  Good luck!

To discover local food businesses, “Like” me on Facebook and Twitter.  Thank you!

Brownies

Who doesn’t love candy? Well the Village Sweet Shoppe in Ballston Spa, NY is here to fill all of your candy desires.

Village Sweet Shoppe

Whether you’re looking for something old, something new something rare or something blue, they have it!  Joie and her sister Kate purchased this business two years ago when they were looking for a new adventure.  Both Ballston Spa natives and candy lovers, The Village Sweet Shoppe serves as a perfect business for these two.  The adorable pink candy Shoppe is a throwback to the good ol’ days where you can “scoop you own” (similar to penny candies many years ago). They offer a wide variety of everyday favorites along with some rarities like Boston Baked Beans and chewy Sprees. They even had a 24 inch gummy rattlesnake I decided to scoop into my bag which I thought was pretty cool as did the 5 year old boys who happen to be in there (guess I have juvenile candy tastes ).  The Shoppe also carries nostalgic candies like Abba Dabba bars, wax bottles, candy cigarettes, Sky Bars and more! If you have a special request, just ask them!  They are more then happy to find it for you because they want all of their customers to feel like a kid in a candy store.  Speaking of kids, the sweet Shoppe also hosts private parties, so if you are in the mood to turn your kid into the Tasmanian devil post sugar consumption, book a party with them.  Your kids will LOVE it and don’t worry, the sugar high will eventually wear off.

Amy Kantor (The Omelette Queen) started her catering business in 1997 after losing her job and she definitely made the right choice because her food is delish!

Spanakopita

Amy cooks out of local temples in the area and can cater anything from breakfast, lunch, dinner or special events like weddings, showers, birthdays and more!  She also specializes in traditional Kiddush menus for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and other Simchas (Hebrew for festive occasion).  All I know is that I am really happy she chose to make her spanakopita for me because it was wonderful!  She starts out by sauteing onions, spices and mint, which by the way is a great addition and adds a wonderful flavor.  She then adds spinach and cooks everything until well combined.  My favorite part was when I got to assist in assembling the triangles with the phyllo dough. There is definitely a technique involved so I’m glad I had assistance.  I think I will stick to just eating them   Amy followed her passion for cooking and not only has this thriving catering business, but also teaches cooking classes as well.  I think my husband plans on signing me up for her next one!  If you are looking for someone to cater your next event, Amy and her team from The Omelette King will definitely take care of you!

Who screams for ice cream!?!? This girl does if it’s from Martha’s Dandee Crème!!

Banana Split

After a little break from filming, “Bite Me” is back and I couldn’t be happier to have the famous Martha’s ice cream shop be my first stop. When I pulled in at 11:00 on a rainy Tuesday morning, there was a line of people getting ice cream including the local post office delivery person, people working in the area and a bunch of kids. My first thought was that this place must have some kick ass ice cream. My second thought was how soon can I have some? I sat down with Dennis Lafontaine who has owned Martha’s not once, but twice! The Lafontaine family purchased Martha’s back in the 80’s from the original owners Martha and Carl. They ran the business for 17 years serving not only ice cream, but running a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well. When Six Flags started buying up properties in the area (Martha’s is located across the street from The Great Escape which is owned by Six Flags), the Lafontaine family decided to sell and get out of the lucrative ice cream business- temporarily. After signing a 5 year “no compete” clause, Dennis and his family decided to buy all of the property back and bring this landmark back to being a family run business. All I know is that the enormous banana split they made for me was fantabulous!!!! First of all, the bowl they serve it in could be a small swimming pool it is so big. After filling it with a ton of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream, they load it up with all of the goodies including rich hot fudge, marshmallow sauce and tons of whipped cream! After sampling the 3 ice cream flavors and toppings, I can see why this place has been around for over 50 years. It was some of the creamiest most flavorful soft serve I have ever had! The toppings were decadent but not over the top and I could easily have finished the whole thing if I weren’t so embarrassed. ☺ Martha’s is also know for their ice cream cakes where you can pick any combo from their 35 flavors and have them turn it into a show stopper for your next party. You could also just get one for your self to celebrate the deliciousness of their ice cream too! If you’re in the Lake George area, you definitely have to make time from some ice cream at Martha’s!