Happy New Year

I am sitting here at the keypad eating Haribo Gummy Bears and counting the days to a new year. This is alway a fun time of the year for me not just because of the holidays, but it is the end of year and that means data!. More data to review and look at. I am a numbers nerd and love looking at the "final" run of sales data, sales by flavor and everything. It is like looking back on a project or paint job that is completed and saying "wow can you believe we did that?" That feeling of accomplishment. Reviewing the numbers is like that for small business owners or for me at least. With January eveything is a clean slate. Everything is fresh.
I wrote earlier about new flavors for the new year and I just finished two more today in the gelato lab. I do wish I could say what they are but I should wait until everything is set. I can tell you that I made an Earl Grey Tea Gelato for Via Vite and will deliver that on Thursday. It is quite good. I was thinking of making some sandwiches using some McVities' Digestives for the cookie part and filling it with the gelato. If you have never had a McVitie digestive I suggest you try them. They are available at Jungle Jims in the England section. The new flavor offerings are going to give you a chance to explore some great new combinations and flavors. I hope you all have a great new year and thank you all for your support of Madisonos
Matt

New Flavors are coming New Flavors are coming!

It is hard to believe that there is one month left in this most memorable year. Good riddens (sp?). Even though this year has been hard for many of my restaurant customers many are optimistic for 2010 and through careful planning have managed to stay in business. This past year I decided not to introduce any new flavors to the mix. Why? I wanted to refine my process from start to finish. I looked at everything and built models that would allow me to focus on the prinicples of Madisono's. Introducing new flavors disrupts that process. Madisono's is moving in a positive direction with respect to ingredients and process. It is my goal to offer the most natural product possible. I am please to say that this years work is paying off. I have some great new flavors that are moving out of the R&D mode and into production very soon.
What are they? Well I can not say right now but I can tell you that they are going to rock your taste buds! Look for them at Findlay Market as that is where I will make their debut.
I also wanted to mention that this year Madisono's will be at the Ballet for the sweet shop on Dec 20th. My friend Jay Kalagayan from The Know Theatre, is now the Director of Development for the Ballet. Congrats Jay. I should also note that in the most recent issue of Express, Jay includes Madisono's and Coffee Emporium as his guilty pleasurs. I will be at the sweet shop serving up all kinds of flavors and should have a sneak peak of some of those new flavors. I hope all of you had a good turkey or tofu day and enjoyed some Madisono's gelato with your meal.
Matt

Spiced Chai for the holidays

Once again I am making the spiced chai gelato. It is a combination of cinnamon, clove and cardamom spices mixed with my cream gelato base. It is a great compliment to any apple dish, pumpkin or coffee. I always feel like warming up with a hot cup of coffee and a scoop of spiced chai gelato regardless of the temperature in my house. There is something about the flavors that is warming. Look for it at College Hill Coffee Company, Whole Foods Mason, and Madison's at Findaly Market.
I also want to let you know about a new place that just opened. It is called Meals to Go. They are located on Winton Road Finneytown, 8592. The telphone number is 521-meal and everything is made from scratch. They focus on family dinners and corporate lunches. Madisono's has a freezer there with 11 flavors so you can get some good food to go and some gelato as well. Thanksgiving us fast approaching and soon the new year. I hope you all have a great holiday and try some cinnamon gelato on your pumpkin pie.
Thanks
Matt

November 9th already!!!

Yikes,
I just sat down to do my blog entry and realized that it was September 25th since my last entry. It is not that we have not been busy at Madisono's. Spice Chai is now available at Madison's at Findlay, Whole Foods and College Hill Coffee Shop. This is a great winter time favorite. I use my own blend of cinnamon, clove and cardamom to create this sweet delivery that actually warms me up. Yes sit down and warm up to an ice cold bowl of spiced chai gelato. I thinnk it has to do with the seasons. I always had hot chai made with milk over the years around the holidays and durring the cold weather. This is that memory in a bowl. Last Thursday I took part in the Dorothy Lane Market Fall Wine show and got to sample out some great flavors for all of the DLM customers. I also had the chance to meet Jenni and her husband Charles from Jeni's ice cream in Columbus. Her brother who is also in the business was there as well. They were very nice and we had lots to talk about. I love Jeni's ice cream and respect what she does in a big way. I have been eating her creations for some time now and have always loved her combinations.
Madisono's is starting at the Bean House in Covington on Tuesday. They will offer pints and pre scooped cups for eating on site. The end of October marked my one year with Bigg's and we are pleased at the response so far. I hope to have our products in the Colrain store in the next week or so. Thanks for all of your support over the last few years. We would not be here if it was not fro all of you guys.
Thanks
Matt

Make A Wish

This weekend is action packed for Madisono's Gelato. I need to tell you about a really cool thing that has happend. Madisono's is now packaging our gelato and sorbet under the Sustain Brand Label. This is a very unique concept started by Matt Kennedy of Kennedy Creative. Please see the links for more information. The concept is this Sustain Brands works with in a designated food web and sells the products only within 300 miles of the production location. They helpt cottage producers who are looking to build their business but find it hard to do so as a small vendor. The package not only tells the sustain brand story but it also tells about the producer of the food product. Madisono's does not loose any identity in the process. It is now being sold in the grocery department at Jungle Jims and at the New Richmond IGA. Sustain Brand will be at the Covington Food Fair this weekend with samples.
Madisono's is also proud to be a part of the Make A Wish Foundation fund raiser this weekend at ShakerRun Golf Club in Lebanon, Ohio. This is a great organization that has made a big difference in many peoples lives. We are offering our Madagascar Vanilla, Belgian Chocolate, and Lemon sorbet. These are going to be paired with a hand painted cookie that is shaped like a maple leaf. There is a person that makes these cookies and paints each one by hand! She is making 300 of them. Is is an honor to have been asked to participate. Thanks to all of you who took part in that very special event. I hope you enjoyed the gelato and sorbet.
What else? Well Midpoint music festival is going on and you can find Madisono's being served at Coffee Emporium and at their mobile gelato cart as well. I know the weather is not the best for cold treats on a rainy cool night but just think about that with a hot cup of espresso. Yum.
Matt

Lunch on the Land

I added these photos from the Findlay Market site. Check out the link for more info and pictures.

This past weekend I spent in the country. Not far from city lights but in Indian Hill on Turner Farm for the first Lunch on the Land fundraiser for Findlay Market. I felt as though I was back in Adams County. For those of you who do not know I lived there for 5 years farming small fruits, shiitake mushrooms and vegetables. I could go on for hours about this event. I will look for a link to share. It was documented by a real production company and it will be aired on Channel 5 in a few weeks. I will get up as well. I had a great time with all of the chefs. The food was spectacular and the attendance was sold out. 160 people at one long table eating family style. I can not say enough about the organization and the spirits of all involved even while it rained. I partered with Summer Gimanetti from the Palace. We did a sudae with sweet corn gelato, homemade toffee popcorn, blueberry compote, and fresh whipped cream from Snowville Creamery. It was paired with a blueberry wine. Thanks to all of you who attended. I would write more but I have to get the kids from the bus. More to come later.
Matt

Local 127

Tonight marks the opening of the new Local 127 on 4th Street. Chef Steven Geddes from Las Vegas has been shopping at my parents store working on recipes for the last month or so. Today Madisono's delivered 3 custom flavors for the gran opening. Bourbon, made with Woodford Reserve, Malted Milk, and a French Vanilla with cracked black pepper. They are also serving my Lemon Basil sorbet. I am eager to get there soon to try out many of the local ingredients they will be serving at Local 127. It is the dedication of chef's like Steve that make a food community work. Good luck to everyone at Local 127.
Matt