Peterborough Blogs
Foodie Friday: Dan Rennick of Apollo Grill Celebrates the Burger Joint's 10th Anniversary and Explains the Royal Burger Link
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This week on Foodie Friday in our first-ever episode, we speak with Dan Rennick, owner of Apollo Grill as he celebrates his 10th anniversary and how the storied Royal Burger's lineage lives on through his business.
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Homegrown Chef Lives Dream of Opening Downtown Pizzeria
/After almost 20 years in the cooking business, chef Sean Crooks gets to be his own boss by opening Pizza Bodega in downtown Peterborough in a grand opening on Friday.
Pizza Bodega’s logo was designed by Sean Crooks’s significant other. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Pizza Bodega is Crooks’s first business and is located at the side of Spanky’s bar on Hunter Street beside the Simcoe Parking Garage.
The restaurant models after New York-style pizza with a thinner crust and a bigger pie compared to most conventional places.
The opportunity to open a business came from his friendship with Matt Russelle, Spanky’s owner, who asked Crooks to supply the food for his business.
"Spanky and I have jokingly talked about working together here and there over the years," said Crooks. "The timing just happened and it seemed to be the right time and here we are."
Sean Crooks has also worked in Prince Edward County and abroad in Western Canada. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Crooks’s cooking career has had pizza follow him wherever he has gone. That made the decision to open a pizzeria as his first business venture.
Several of Pizza Bodega’s ingredients are sourced either locally or within Ontario including dry-cured pepperoni, smoked ham and spiced ground wagyu. Gluten-free and vegan options will be available on the menu.
"Everybody loves pizza and (I’m) trying to make the pizza fun and not too pretentious,” said Crooks.
Sean Crooks has worked in several Peterborough kitchens such as Primal Cuts, Gerti’s and Capra Toro. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
All customers attending Pizza Bodega’s grand opening will receive a free entry for concert tickets to The Arkells. The pizzeria is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays.
The restaurant opened this week for a friends-and-family event on Wednesday and a take-out window on Thursday. The grand opening will feature a full outdoor back patio with live music and beer samples.
"It is my very first venture out on my own so it's definitely very challenging, said Crooks. "There's a lot more to deal with than just the kitchen side of things now I'm taking on the entire animal but I'm super excited and super nervous. I just want to see where this goes."
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Hometown PTBO: Jay Rowan Discusses the Sandbagger Hard Seltzer Story Including His Father's Influence and the Development of the Drink
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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Sandbagger Hard Seltzer founder, Jay Rowan about his father’s influence on the drink, how the drink was made, how golf impacted the drink and the story of having 2,000 cases of the drink when COVID hit.
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Local Ice Cream Parlour Celebrates 125th Anniversary
/Central Smith Creamery celebrates their 125th anniversary with one-dollar vanilla ice cream cones this Saturday which is considered National Ice Cream Day weekend.
(left to right) Jillian Scates, project manager and co-owners Ian and Jennifer Scates are part of three generations who have been involved with Central Smith Creamery. Photo by David Tuan Bui
The price is a throwback to when the Scates family purchased the business in 1978 and sold ice cream scoops at that price. They chose vanilla as ice cream’s oldest flavour to commemorate the milestone.
"It's a true honour,” said Ian Scates, co-owner of Central Smith. “Sometimes you kind of have to pinch yourself to realize that you've literally been here before cars existed. It's a bit surreal to think that it's been around as long as it has.”
Ian Scates describes working at Central Smith the “longest summer job” of his life. Photo by David Tuan Bui
“Sometimes in life, it's really important to stop and celebrate the milestones,” said Jennifer Scates, co-owner of Central Smith. “The business of life gets us not thinking about the important things and it's important to recognize where we were, where we're going to, celebrate our employees who have helped us along the way and just pause and reflect.”
Central Smith Creamery has over 70 flavours of ice cream where some come in and out of rotation depending on popularity. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The business has had three generations of the Scates working at Central Smith. Ian’s father, James Scates purchased the business back from the Andrews family in 1978 where Ian first helped the business in 1979. Since then, Ian has been working at Central Smith for 42 years.
His daughter, Jillian Scates graduated in business from Dalhousie University in April 2016 and joined the business starting at the bottom. She has worked her way through as a sales analyst and now as a project manager.
“There's a lot of pride in that we've been able to keep going with the legacy,” said Jennifer. “This place is still in the same place 125 years ago.”
Some of creamery’s top flavours are Algonquin Canoe, Lavender Lemonade and Monster Cookie. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
New this year is Central Smith merchandise for sale such as reusable water bottles, caps and t-shirts. A colouring contest to design your own ice cream flavour is part of the milestone celebrations. Customers can pick up a colouring sheet and submit their designs to the store by Aug. 1.
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New Brewery Ready To Break Through the Pandemic With Quality Brews
/As the province is opening up for more businesses to operate, Haven Brewing Company is serving up traditional European-style beers for the city of Peterborough.
Brothers Andrew Anker (left) and Nathan Anker (right) favourite beers of their company are the Schwarzbier and All Natural Belgian Blonde Ale respectively. Photo by David Tuan Bui
The duo official took over former Smithhavens Brewing Company back Apr. 9 last year but bought the company in October 2019.
The brewery had to face challenges after taking over the company during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic but has high expectations for themselves as Ontario is gradually opening back up.
“I think there’s a lot of opportunities right now and while it’s been a difficult year and we’re a small local company,” said Nathan Anker, Haven Brewing Company, President and CEO. “We are going to do anything we can to help other businesses out there and I’m sure that will be reciprocated too.”
Nathan Anker previously had eight years of business and brand development experience in automotive before owning Haven Brewing Company. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The brewery focuses on European-style beers that remain tried, test and true to the classics that have been appreciated over time. The company applies its own twists to their products to deliver a unique taste and style as an homage to the classic traditions.
Several of their ingredients are imported from Europe to retain that genuine flavour and style within their beer.
“They're all recipes that have existed for a really long time and there's a reason they've existed because it's really good beer,” said Nathan. “We've just taken it, refined the recipe a bit but we also try to keep as true as possible to the process.”
Some beers that were originated from Smithworks has been incorporated into Haven with slight adjustments to make it more true to the traditional European style such as the Hefeweizen according to Nathan.
Brewmaster Andrew Anker graduated from Niagara College in 2012 their inaugural brewing program beginning in 2010. Photo By David Tuan Bui.
The idea of the brothers owning their own brewery felt like a match made in heaven. Andrew had worked with several breweries for the past decade while Nathan wanted to become an entrepreneur as a change from working in the automotive business the last eight years.
“The intention that he would open his own (brewery) then I came in as the business mind and I always intended to open my own company but I never really knew what I wanted to do,” explained Nathan. “We just put the two together, he makes great beer, I’m going to do the business side of things and it was kind of a no-brainer.”
Haven Brewing Company has over 20 different Peterborough restaurants that serve their beer such as Apollo Grill, Nateure’s Plate and Shoeless Joe’s.
When permitted, the brewery plans to host indoor seating with pub snacks and events such as bingo night. During Step 2, the business has outdoor tables for patrons to enjoy their craft beers.
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Local Church Unveils Community Garden For Food Insecurity Awareness
/All Saints' Anglican Church unveiled their community vegetable garden where their crops will be donated to several local communities and organizations to spread food insecurity awareness on Monday.
Reverend Suzanna McMillan (left) and Reverend Samantha Caravan (right) in front of one of five vegetable garden boxes that will continually grow crops for local communities. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Located at the south end of the church, the All Saints’ Peterborough Community Garden will supply vegetables to organizations such as Food Not Bombs, Kawartha Food Share, Prince of Wales School’s breakfast program and YWCA Nourish.
“We obviously love to distribute fresh foods to our member agencies so the fact that they’ve taken this to the next level and are willing to support their families with healthy nutritious food items, it’s so great,” said Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share general manager.
The garden was built not only as a way to help the community but inspire others to help fight against food insecurity and start their own initiative. Reverend Samantha Caravan said the church believes in food equity and that no one should have to worry about having food on their plate every day.
“We really want to engage with people to help them grow their own food in their own backyards,” she said. “It’s not about just filling empty bellies, it’s really building a relationship with people who live and work in this neighbourhood.”
McMillan helped plant, water, weed and caretake the garden since it was created in early June. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The garden was dedicated to Reverend Suzanne McMillan who serves as the church’s diaconate for over 15 years. The honour came as a surprise to McMillan when Caravan revealed the plaque to the public.
“The priest beside me (Caravan) is filled with wonderful surprises like this. Honouring the people for the work they do,” she said. “I was delighted but very surprised.”
“Suzanne has been the driving force around here for justice issues,” said Caravan. “With her energy and time, we wanted to honour that commitment to her fellow people with this.”
The five garden boxes are 6x25x3 inches in length. Rain barrels are used to help maintain the gardens to offset the cost of water. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The gardens were planted in the first week of June and contain crops such as onions, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, squash and lettuce. The church plans to grow enough tomatoes to hold canning sessions for community distribution.
The church plans to continually use the gardens to crops as long as possible for community distribution.
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East City Gets a Sweet Tooth From Entrepreneur's Dream and Perseverance
/Entrepreneur Danielle McIver has made East City a little more colourful and sweeter with her new candy store, Flossophy that opened in mid-June.
Danelle McIver holding one of most popular items, the cotton candy. Some of several flavours include unicorn, green apple and even dill pickle. Photo Courtesy of Flossophy.
McIver’s business features hand-spun cotton candy, popcorn, tempered chocolate bars, sundaes and jarred candies. All except the last option are made from scratch in the store.
“I have always just kind of been obsessed with candy and sweets in general,” explained McIver. “I wanted a throwback with the candy jars. A ’50 or ‘60s style crossed with a downtown LA look.”
New cotton candy flavours are regularly added and often sell out from the first two weeks the business has been open. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Despite the store opening this past month, it operated on a smaller scale back in March last year at the beginning of the pandemic.
McIver’s idea of selling cotton candy came while she attempted to start a party company where cotton candy was part of the business.
After noticing that the fluffy candy’s sales were sky-high, McIver got the idea to pursue it on a larger scale. She was selling tons of cotton candy from her home as curbside pickup and had the idea of opening her own shop.
“The perseverance is having the idea and just wanting to see it succeed,” said McIver. “We started branching out. We started tempering chocolate so we need a shop and a full kitchen.”
All popcorn seasonings are made and created in-house. Ingredients such as coconut oil have made it into some popcorn flavours. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Flossophy’s selection is notorious for its outrageous and unique flavours. Cotton candy can range from original to fruity flavours like apple and banana to strange ones like dill pickle and “hot mama”. Popcorn can range from savoury flavours like sushi roll and pizza to sweet like Nanaimo and churro.
Tempered chocolate bars have toppings embedded such as popcorn or pretzels fitting the theme of a “movie night” flavour.
Sundaes feature a wide variety of toppings, all with their own theme and a number unique toppings such as crushed cereal and cotton candy bits.
“I love change, I love variety and I love a challenge,” said McIver. “You find a new pivot. This is what I love about Flossophy, I get to explore this creative outlet.”
Flossophy often stocks rarer candies such as crème brûlée and chili pepper gummies that are typically not found at any big chain stores. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Since opening the store, Flossophy’s business has boomed with several items often selling out. The store is adapting to the sudden growth and demand of the customer base but it is a good problem to have noted McIver.
“(Business is) overwhelming but in the best way possible,” she said. “It’s good to know that people know that they like your product. The shop should feel like an experience when you go so that’s really important to me and the response has been amazing.”
The store is located on 75 Hunter St. E. next to Revive Hair Lounge. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
