Local Food Economy

Driftwood Caterers takes over Landerhaven with fresh look, honors former owner
Last summer Chris Hodgson and Scott Kuhn of Driftwood Catering bought Landerhaven from Harlan Diamond, who operated the hall for 60 years. Driftwood has honored Diamond, yet given Landerhaven a new look after reopening this spring. 
Emotional rollercoaster: Area restauranteurs optimistic about the future, but more help is needed
Cleveland’s bars and restaurants spent the last 15 months scrambling to survive, and even if the recent lifting of health orders brings a surge of business, the region’s restauranteurs will still be seeking help—financial and otherwise—in the coming months.

 
Here's the dish on the new CLE Foodcast podcast
Lisa Sands is serving up something that she believes Cleveland very much needs: its own food podcast. Billed as “conversation for food and drink enthusiasts that starts where the pretty Instagram picture ends,” her recently debuted CLE Foodcast shines a light on all things food in The Land.
Whoa! New plant-based, gluten-free cookie dough bar satisfies the sweet tooth, avoids allergens
With a gluten allergy and a sweet tooth, LaunchHouse founder Todd Goldstein has created Whoa! Dough vegan cookie dough bars that are gluten free, soy free, and satisfy those sweet cravings.
Something to Tweet about: Little Birdie Wine Nest to inhabit old West Creek Tavern space in Parma
For as long as she can remember, Robin Keenan has been driving past the hilly intersection of Broadview Road and Ridgewood Drive and envisioning what could be. In 2022, the Parma native's dream will come to fruition as she takes over the property for a brand-new 8,500-square-foot facility for her business, Little Birdie Wine Nest.
Spicing things up: Restauranteur Bebenroth is reinventing take out with Keep the Change Collective
After a dark year and making the decision to close Spice Kitchen + Bar, culinary innovator and restauranteur Ben Bebenroth has reinvented the takeout scene with Keep The Change Kitchen Collective.
In the bag: Pope’s Kitchen launches new line of cocktail pouches this weekend
Food entrepreneur Clark Pope is launching a new line of cocktail pouches in three flavors this summer. 
Bartleby supper club will embrace the indulgence of the 1920s with a modern take on giving back
Restauranteur Morgan Yagi says the Bartleby supper club will have a lounge atmosphere with plenty of soft seating, music, and a cozy environment when it opens later this year in the historic United Bank Building in Ohio City.
Blanket statement: Picnic Party Cleveland brings the picnic trend to The Land
Over the last year, picnics have come back in a big way—thanks to the ability to gather safely in an open-air setting. With the "New York Times" hailing the trend and bespoke picnic companies popping up around the country, Kelly Testa decided to give Cleveland a seat at the proverbial table by launching Picnic Party Cleveland.
On the Go: Cleveland Restaurant Week shifts to take-out only format
Get your forks and knives ready to support local restaurants—Cleveland Restaurant Week To Go starts Thursday.
Thinking outside of the (cookie) box: Girl Scouts get innovative during pandemic

Cleveland-area Girl Scout troops are getting creative in making socially distanced cookie sales this yearsetting up drive-through booths, printing door hangers with online QR codes, and even selling online.

The Creative Cafe prepares to open its doors in Old Brooklyn
Will Sanchez hasn’t been able to reopen the doors to his vibrant Clark-Fulton art gallery, La Cosecha Galeria, in nearly a year— but that’s not stopping this long-time local artist. Instead, Sanchez is doubling down and opening a new gallery space in Old Brooklyn, replete with a café and retail component.
Eat up: Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week starts Friday
Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week brings you 10 days of dine-in or carry-out food specials from some of your favorite local eateries. 
Share the Bread: Orlando Baking and Hunger Network team up to feed struggling restaurant workers
With the restaurant industry in trouble, the Orlando Baking Company—a fixture in Cleveland since 1904—is working with the Hunger Network to raise money, and food, for the area's foodservice industry staff who have been hit the hardest.
Food withdrawal: GO Buddha makes plant-based eating as easy as going to the ATM
Joshua Ingraham is blending his background in functional medicine and his culinary skills to serve vegan snacks and meals 24/7 at a self-serve  kiosk in his GO Buddha restaurant. 
It’s time to chase away winter with the annual Slovenian Kurentovanje festival
Shake your bells and chase away winter at the 8th annual Kurentovanje—a Slovenian festival centered around the mythical Kurent, who is believed to usher in spring with its supernatural powers.
Campaign promotes responsible fun in Cleveland neighborhoods this winter
Cleveland civic organizations encourage residents to get out and enjoy what the city has to offer (in a responsible way) this winter. 
Mindful munching: New vegan restaurant adapts to growing lifestyle trends
Practicing mindfulness is a tool used to reduce stress and anxiety. Andrew Taylor-Shaut is promoting mindful eating through his new vegan restaurant SomethinGood to Eat in Larchmere. 
EDWINS staff hosts virtual cooking classes for all ages, skill levels
Brandon Chrostowski and his EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute staff launched a cook-from-home Zoom cooking class series this month—offering classes for all skill levels and ages.
Suburban minority restaurant owners look to funding to keep doors open
The pandemic has hit the restaurant industry particularly hard, and even with $7.5 million in Cuyahoga County CARES act funding set aside for small business, many minority-owned suburban eateries are struggling to stay in their communities.