Showing posts with label
George and Wendy corner grill.
Show all posts
Showing posts with label
George and Wendy corner grill.
Show all posts
From a very early age, Paul Grimaldi knew that his future would be focused in the kitchen.
"I was rolling meatballs when I was 8 years old... the mixing bowl was bigger than me!" laughed Grimaldi, who took over as head chef at George & Wendy's Corner Grill in mid-April. "Even back then, I was into experimenting. The ability to be creative is the most exciting thing about cooking."
The Utica, N.Y. native grew up in a family steeped in cooking traditions, started by his grandfather's restaurant business. Like Paul, his brother and cousin grew up to become chefs.
After studying both food service and hotel management at Onondaga Community College, Grimaldi spent his internship working at the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant at Walt Disney World in Orlando. He then progressed in his career as a chef, working at Hanover Square Cafe in Syracuse, N.Y., helped open five restaurants in the Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Va. region before working for the Henry Lee Food Company in Miami Beach, Fla.
Grimaldi moved to Southwest Florida a few years ago, working at Cirella's Italian Market in Bonita Springs, Potts Sports Bar in Fort Myers and the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa before a friend of his clued him in on an opening at a new Sanibel eatery earlier this year.
"We've changed the menu a little bit since I came here," said Grimaldi. "We're making the kitchen more efficient and bringing some fresh, new ideas to the table."
Among the new offerings at the Corner Grill created by Grimaldi are a grouper francaise, tuna balsamico as well as a checken and shrimp mari-monte dish with a toasted garlic and roasted tomato sauce. He has also added a key lime cheesecake with a Nilla wafer crumb crust.
Grimadi also promises to feature some of his signature homemade ravioli dishes to the menu, which he previously sold exclusively on his website (www.grimaldigourmet.com). They include multiple choices of fillings — bolognese, cacciatore, florentine, lobster thermador, spiced pumpkin with mascapone cheese, pulled pork with pepperjack cheese, among others — and doughs, which include onion oregano, wasabi mustard, beet and carrot.
"Some artist's paint, some can play the piano like Beethoven," Grimaldi states. "I can make a ravioli that will change your religion."
But adding Grimaldi to their staff isn't the only change happening at George & Wendy's Corner Grill. Their new business hours are 11 a.m. to midnight daily, with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., supper served from 5 to 9 p.m. and a late night menu offered from 9 p.m. until midnight.
For additional information, visit www.georgeandwendyscornergrill.com or stop by at 2499 Periwinkle Way, located at the corner of Periwinkle and Tarpon Bay Road. Their phone number is 395-1263
.JEFF LYSIAK
The new George & Wendy’s Corner Grill on Sanibel Island sets a fine example for community support of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. It donates five percent of all proceeds from sales of its art collection by expressionist Keys artist Stacie Krupa to the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS).
On Feb. 11, owners George and Wendy Schnapp decided to turn their grand opening into the first creative cocktail auction benefit for the Society, donating 25 percent of auction proceeds for a grand total of $5,625. They intend to host these creative art auction parties twice each year.
“Stacie’s art represents the amazing wildlife living here within our refuge, and it is great to have her support, the support of the Corner Grill, and the overall community,” said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Vertesch. “The conservation work and education taking place within the refuge is well known, but many people don’t realize the true economic benefit of having a refuge in their community. For every dollar invested in the wildlife refuge, more than $40 is reflected in economic benefit to the area, not to mention the fact that the refuge helps to increase the property values on Sanibel and Captiva. The Corner Grill and so many other local businesses see the benefit of the refuge and we thank them for their support.”
On March 17 at Bailey’s IrishFest, George and Wendy’s Corner Grill provided two kegs of green beer which was served for free and donations were collected for the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society. In one hour and 15 minutes, the two kegs had been consumed and an additional $208 was raised for the Society.
As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop proceeds.
To join DDWS and support the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org or contact Birgie Vertesch at 239-292-0566 or director@dingdarlingsociety.org. CHELLE KOSTER WALTON
The grand opening celebration for Wendy and George Schnapp’s Corner Grill and master artist and Islamorada Florida gallery owner Stacie Krupa’s 5,000-square-foot Corner Gallery will take place on on Friday, Feb. 11, from 5 to 9 p.m. An exclusive Art Privé charity art auction featuring Krupa’s premier series “Sanibel, Sunshine and Sass” will open with a preview at 5 p.m., followed by a silent auction lasting until 8. During a cocktail party featuring gourmet selections from Chef Kevin Decker, Krupa will be greeting guests, answering questions, and discussing her art.
Krupa, who conveys a very refreshing way of looking at life, says she is very excited about the event. “The buzz is so beyond positive so far! We already have pre-auction bids on some paintings, some of them at full value in order to secure the work!
“I think the whole night will be a win-win for all — George and Wendy, ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Society, and My Art Spirit!”
Krupa, a 2008 HG-TV featured “Dream Home” artist and gallery owner — known internationally for her “powerful and original expressionistic paintings” — is expanding her “Creative Empire” by collaborating with the Schnapps to create a double dose of the Creative Spirit — a great experience for both palette and palate!
Krupa received her Master’s in Painting from the University of Miami. She also studied at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and Maryland Institute College of Art on scholarship and has owned her gallery/studio in the Florida Keys for 12 years. She has also had galleries in Montreal, Canada and Winter Park, Fla.
The Corner Grill and Krupa’s Corner Grill Gallery opened last week to rave reviews for its extensive renovations, food, art, and an upscale “hip” freshness that is full of fun, vivid colors. Krupa’s gallery is intertwined with the dining experience to cultivate a fresh and new gallery experience while one dines on creative American cuisine by Chef Kevin Decker. The 5,000-square-foot interior features Krupa originals that are for sale and will always be replaced with originals as the art sells.
A portion of all painting sales benefits the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends Of The Refuge. Patrons can purchase the art through table-top purchase orders or through the Sanibel Gallery Director, George Schnapp; all prices include taxes and full shipping worldwide. Art will be shipped or delivered on a monthly basis.
ANNE W. BELLEW
“Well behaved women, rarely make history.”
George and Wendy’s Corner Grill owners George and Wendy Schnapp announced last week that they have hired Head Chef Kevin Decker to run the kitchen and to help develop the menu for the much-anticipated restaurant.
Born in Jacksonville, Decker would consider the suburbs of Washington, D.C. his hometown, but he has now been living in Southwest Florida for almost three years. The chef was drawn to the area for the same reason many of you are here – the beach and the weather. He loves the warm summer months and enjoys spending his free time with his dog on his new boat.
Decker’s initial cooking experiences were in the kitchen with his mother and grandmother at home. As an 8-year-old boy, Kevin told his mom he wanted to go to France to learn to cook. While he has not yet made it overseas, he did attend Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Orlando, where he received an AAS degree in Culinary Arts. In his career as a chef, Decker has had the opportunity to travel and experience the cuisine in different regions of the country.
Prior to joining the Corner Grill team, Kevin helped open and was the Executive Sous Chef at Bayfront Bistro on Fort Myers Beach. He is excited about this new career opportunity at Corner Grill and is eager to share his experience with the Schnapps as he helps create the menu for the new restaurant.
While his current favorite style of cooking has a Caribbean flair, you will find a wide variety of dishes on the Corner Grill menu that are influenced by other regions as well. Decker is looking forward to working with the Schnapps to see Corner Grill become a busy restaurant that is frequented by local residents and visitors alike.
Learn more about Corner Grill at www.georgeandwendyscornergrill.com or find us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/CornerGrill and be the first to hear the latest news about Corner Grill’s grand opening! Submitted by STEPHANIE RAY
