Gourmet on wheels

The latest gastronomic trend recently rolled into Lake Mary, at least for a trial run: food trucks.

Shortly before Christmas, a collection of culinary coaches opened their windows and offered their wares in the city’s downtown park. Decising what to eat was no easy task (below).

Among the vendors was Bryce Balluff of Fork in the Road. The classically trained chef – he studied at the French Culinary Institute and has worked in some of the finest kitchens from New York to south Florida – is shown (up top) with one of his creations: truffle mac-n-cheese on a stick. Big hit with the dining public.

Other participants included Kona Dog and Baxter and Tilly’s Cafe on Wheels.

Is Lake Mary ready for regular occurrences of the gastro-sensation that draws fervent crowds in Apopka, Maitland, Winter Park, the UCF area and elsewhere?

Bob Jones, one of the founders of the Florida Food Truck Association, is working on that. His group is negotiating with the city for a monthly event, possibly on a Sunday. It would be family-friendly, he says, and might include a band or a movie.

That’s Bob on the left with Keri Ureski, Jimmy Nelson and Bonnie Lease of the Nubu truck. And notice the TV screens in the side of the vehicle – local businesses were offered the chance to have their ads displayed during the event.

Sanford also is expected to get a taste of food truck mania on Jan. 7. Watch our Lake Mary Health & Wellness Facebook page for details.

Happy Holidays!

From all of us (and a friend) at Topper Publications!

Heathrow Women’s Club in the Holiday Spirit

If holiday treats and gift-giving can’t get you in a festive mood, I don’t know what can. Maybe a chorus -- like this one from Seminole High School, under the direction of Bob Maguire.

The Heathrow Women's Club held its annual holiday get-together recently at Heathrow Country Club. Participants brought unwrapped toys for donation to Friends of Abused Children of Seminole County – and there was a satisfyingly large pile of thoughtful presents that will bring smiles to the faces of youngsters who need a little kindness in their lives.

Over the past few years, Heathrow Women’s Club Charities Inc. has donated $500,000 to charities benefiting women and children in Seminole County.

Another money-raiser at the event – a table full of homemade desserts! Cookies, cakes and pies, oh my! And baklava – that’s Roslyn Sellers with a plate full of that she made from scratch.

More photos will be posted soon here on our website.

Fields dealership grand opening

Fields Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram near the mall in Sanford is opening its doors with a party in the parking lot this weekend.

The kids are loving the Power Jumps (a bungee-trampoline combo that lets you safely jump two stories high), the bounce house, the kiddie train and the climbing wall, said General Manager David Simoni (that’s him standing in front of his brand new building).

Also on hand: food trucks! Local faves are there, including Firehouse BBQ, Tree House Truck, Gastro Truck, Monsta Lobsta, Yum Yum Cupcake Truck, The Batter Bowl and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice.

Participants can also ride a mechanical bull, have a caricature done or watch Jeremy Possman rassle a reptile – that’s him and his gator co-star below.

The party continues Sunday from noon to 4.

FIT for Golf... Golf for FIT

...speaking of Families in Transition (you did read my last blog post, didn’t you? If not, here it is), more than 60 golfers turned out at Mayfair Country Club in Sanford for the first annual FIT Golf Tournament.

Not bad for the first year, said Danny Trosset, who organized the event. Funds raised will go toward enrolling a homeless child in community sports and paying for registration fees, equipment, uniforms and other sports necessities.

And that’s FIT Liaison Beth Davalos in the photo with County Commissioner John Horan, who golfed in the event, and Trosset.

We’ll have photos on the website soon.

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Also, check out the latest issue of our sister publication, Lake Mary Health & Wellness, where you can read more about Families in Transition... and be inspired to cook up a Cuban-themed holiday dinner. Recipes and wine pairings courtesy of Finesse Restaurant in Lake Mary.