Dizzy Dame's Bake Shoppe
Scientist and longtime food-educator René Luedeman was accustomed to spending a lot of her time on her feet, but when a balance disorder struck, she had to make a career adjustment. The result is custom-dessert company Dizzy Dame's Bake Shoppe, which she owns and operates with her husband, Terrill Yuhas. Dizzy Dame's sells beautiful cakes, cookies, whoopie pies (two round pieces of red velvet cake stuffed with marshmallow cream) and other sweet things, but they're only available by special order for now. When she's not busy teaching food-safety classes or running Dizzy Dame's, Luedeman stays busy with Cakes for Causes, a nonprofit she founded to help various organizations around the city. Visit dizzydamesbakeshoppe.com or www.cakesforcauses.org.
Food Swap Tucson
A new group is working to bring together cooks and gardeners. Food Swap Tucson aims to offer an "opportunity to meet people, learn new things and encourage fledgling local food businesses," according to foodswaptucson.blogspot.com. "Think of it as barter-based grocery shopping where you can exchange your own handmade, homegrown or foraged foods with others." The first food swap is scheduled for Sunday, April 1. Contact the group via its blog for more information.
St. Pat's Day
It may not be the first place you'd think of to look for good eats on St. Patrick's Day, but Frankie's South Philly Cheesesteaks, 2574 N. Campbell Ave., will have some killer Irish fare on Saturday, March 17. Deb Santos, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Frankie, says they typically sell out of the slow-simmered ham and cabbage they make for the holiday, so she suggests an early arrival; 795-2665; frankiescheesesteaks.com.
Another Jimmy John's
A new Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is opening where the Bagelry used to be at 2575 N. Campbell Ave. The building is being overhauled and will show no trace of the Bagelry. One can't help but wonder if the chain eatery will dig into business at Frankie's South Philly Cheesesteaks—directly across the street—so this seems like an appropriate time to remind everyone to support local restaurants whenever possible.
Closed: Elle Wine Bistro
Elle Wine Bistro, at 2970 N. Campbell Ave., has closed. Owner Jeff Fuld moved what was previously known as Elle: A Wine Country Restaurant from its location at 3048 E. Broadway Blvd. in late 2010.
