Shut the front dough ... and don’t let me leave. Rachel's Bake Shop

Queen Creek and the surrounding San Tan Valley are fortunate to have Rachel’s Bake Shop as a community partner. As an honor graduate from Le Cordon Blue in Scottsdale Chef Rachel Broughten is an accomplished executive pastry chef who already is making her mark with some of the best desserts in the Valley. Besides, we deserve some sweetness in our lives ... right?

In the business world today there are not many that can actually make you smile and feel good either by receiving or giving. I remember the first time I met Rachel at a Greater San Tan Valley Chamber of Commerce function. The paint was still wet on her bake shop yet she took the time to come to our event. I thought ... wow finally a bake shop! We really need a good bakery. Rachel has been a great supporter of many causes in the valley and her work speaks for itself.

My first venture to Rachel’s was an exploratory one. Let’s check out what she’s got.  So I started buying different treats to try. Red Velvet cupcakes, brownies, fruit bars (the raspberry one is my favorite). BAM! I’m addicted. Just like that. Sugar is a powerful ingredient. 9 out of 10 dentists would probably agree that in moderation and monthly check – ups it’s OK to indulge.

One of my favorites is the Pancake cupcake. It’s frosted with a cinnamon maple

buttercream with candied bacon bits and a maple syrup drizzle. OMG. Can you imagine having this as a side to you eggs, hash browns, and bacon breakfast? Then there’s the German Chocolate brownie. Not you’re typical GC with pecans and coconut frosting. Rachel had to bring in the Valrhona cocoa from France no less so we can experience what great chocolate tastes like. And a chocolate drizzle on top. Sorry Hershey but this isn’t in your league.

I can go on and on about the Sticky Buns, Cinnamon Rolls, Cupcakes and other treats but why stop there. Did you know that she has a fabulous staff that makes designer cakes for all occasions and budgets? She can cater your next event and customize almost anything?

She has low-calorie, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan treats so others can enjoy? They even have FREE wi-fi and a small event room to do your networking or make an impressive presentation to a cozy group.

Don’t want only sweets? Rachel has recently introduced a breakfast and lunch menu that includes breakfast sandwiches on croissants; beautiful salads; and wraps and panini’s. I happened by the other day to try the lunch menu. Rachel graciously made me a mixed panini sandwich plate so I can try the most two popular ones. 

The Italian Panini made with genoa salami, pepperoni, prosciutto with a pesto dressing and fresh mozzarella cheese pressed on French bread. The pesto really brings all the flavors together made with fresh basil, pine nuts, EVOO, and parmesan. The other half was the Caprese (vegetarian) sandwich. If you’ve never had a Caprese salad before you must try it. Fresh sliced tomato’s with fresh leaves of basil and fresh (buffalo) mozzarella cheese between the slices of tomato and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Yummo! Now picture this on a panini with the pesto dressing. Wonderful! Now save room for dessert to eat there or take home. It’s a win-win no matter what.

Now if I were a local business that had meeting or events in-house I’d be on the phone with Rachel making an appointment for her to cater your next one. Imagine having a staff meeting, or bringing in customers or prospects to your office and having a high-quality breakfast or lunch and dessert delivered to your door from Rachel’s. It would sure impress the heck out of me.

So what are you waiting for?

Rachel’s Bake Shop

22209 S Ellsworth Road

Queen Creek, Arizona 85142

(480) 703-9641

http://www.RachelsBakeShop.com

Hours   

Tue - Sat: 7:00 am - 5:30 pm

Sun: 7:00 am - 12:00 pm

Winner of the Best Ceviche in STV Picked.

Thanks to Judges Chef Brandon Smith, Executive Chef at Encanterra, Chef Rachel Broughten of Rachels Bake Shop in Queen Creek, and Chad Roche, Clerk of the Superior Court of Pinal County we have a winner of the first Best Of series in San Tan Valley.

Local resident and Greater Chamber of Commerce member (UseMyGuyServices) Connie Bunyard won the contest with her Shrimp & Crab Ceviche that apparently wowed the judges. The other contestants ... Darren King and Aimee Lespron also had very good dishes. But, it was Connie's combination of taste, presentation, and originality that put her dish over the top.

The event took place at the Grand Opening of the new San Tan Valley Farmers Market & Bazaar on Ocotillo Road.

Check out my Facebook Page for San Tan Valley and local restaurant reviews, food competitions, and anything else related to food.

https://www.facebook.com/KahunaCafe

My restaurant reviews can also be found on San Tan Valley's Premier Internet Radio Station.

http://www.kqck.com/index.php/2013-11-19-01-33-05/2013-11-19-02-13-04/the-daily-bread-bistro-review

BUDDYZ – A Chicago Pizzeria

Finally, someone who understands and knows how to make Chicago style pizza, and sandwiches.

Buddyz has brought authentic Chicago style pizza to the Phoenix East Valley. The Scarnato family has been a fixture in the Chicago area for the past 22 years with 9 restaurants. They make their own sauce and dough daily and blend their cheese in-house and only use fresh ingredients.

They have thin crust, butter crust pan and delicious Chicago style Deep Dish. They also feature great Chicago staples like Italian beef, sausage, meatball and their own Sloppy Giuseppe. You have to try their calamari and fried mozzarella, both breaded fresh. Buddyz also makes pasta dishes with their homemade marinara sauce.

The newest Buddyz Pizzeria is located in the fast-developing area of Queen Creek, Arizona. The Scarnatos and their partner Randy are proud to offer authentic Chicago style Italian food to the East Valley.

Not that I am biased or anything because I come from Chicago and have had the pleasure of dining at their Algonquin, IL store for many years. I am a PIZZA NUT. No doubt my favorite at the top of my food chain. Since moving to AZ in 2003 I have been yearning for what I consider to be “great” pizza and Italian fare.

Not your cardboard tasting, cheap-tasting ingredient, run through the blast furnace 5 minute pizza. Buddyz is the real deal. And, you will see that the ingredients and preparation makes a big difference.

Like the pomodoro tomatoes they use, Italian sausage and beef, and blends of real cheeses. Everything I’ve had there since they opened have met and gone beyond my expectations.

Starting with the Pizza Chip appetizer to the Caprese Salad and Fried Calamari (which I’ve had twice already) everything is flavorful and well prepared. You have to experiment with different combinations of dishes to appreciate the full range they offer. Once we had the Italian beef sandwich (order it on garlic bread) with onion rings (rings are the best with beer-batter) and split a large thin crust pizza. Deliciousness!

Next time we had an appetizer with the Deep Dish Pizza and still had leftovers to take home. No matter which ingredients, and we tried everything from sausage, mushrooms, peppers, Italian beef, pineapple, BBQ chicken, Canadian bacon, pomodoro tomatoes, basil, asiago cheese, hot giardinara ... not all at one time of course ... they were all great. Haven’t tried the Calzones but I’ve been told they are wonderful as well. Great crust! Great sauce!

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Family-friendly. Come hungry. Good choices of wine and beer.

BUDDYZ – A Chicago Pizzeria

18423 E. San Tan Blvd.

Queen Creek, AZ 85242

Hours

Mon: Closed

Tues: 4pm-9pm

Wed: 4pm-9pm

Thu: 4pm-9pm

Fri: 4pm-10pm

Sat: 4pm-10pm

Sun: 4pm-9pm

MAP:
https://goo.gl/maps/tNLyn

Contestants & Judges Picked for 1st Best of STV Ceviche Competition

Come to the first Best Ceviche in San Tan Valley Competition at the Grand Opening of the San Tan Valley Farmers Market & Bazaar, January 18, 2014. The competition will begin at 12:00 noon. Three well known local personalities with be the judges for three local residents. Chef Brandon Smith, Executive Chef at Encanterra, Chef Rachel Broughten of Rachel's Bake Shop, and Chad Roche, Clerk of the Superior Court of Pinal County.

The Best Ceviche in San Tan Valley Competition

Are you ready for a throwdown?

In the spirit of Food Networks Bobby Flay “Throwdown” we are starting a tradition in San Tan Valley. We're planning a Ceviche Cook Off on Saturday January 18th at the new San Tan Valley Farmers Market & Bazaar. Three contestants. Three Judges. One winner.

We have three contestants already planning their strategy. We also have three local prominent judges waiting to pick the first winner.

For details, keep informed at http://www.facebook.com/KahunaCafe and http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Tan-Valley-Farmers-Market-Bazaar/209135052605761 and like the pages.

Look for more homemade food competitions from BBQ to dessert and everything in between.

There are some great home chef’s out there … we just need to find them.