Ohio Foodie - Southeast Ohio Fall 2024 - Kaptured by Kali Photography LLC

Ohio Foodie SOUTHE A ST OHIO • FALL 2024

INSIDE: BAKERY 323 • L AKE HOPE LODGE • O'BE T T Y'S

Editor's Note

Kali N. Knudson Kaptured by Kali Photography LLC Photographer, Writer, Designer

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Ohio Foodie was created as a prototype for a magazine class during my second year of grad school at Ohio University. The goal for this magazine was to highlight the small businesses of Ohio and would, ideally, be supported by a restaurant-based group like the Ohio Restaurant Association. Growing up in Athens, Ohio, I've been fortunate to appreciate the beauty of our rolling hills. Southeast Ohio is full of local business owners who care so much about our community. With the Southeast Ohio Fall 2024 edition of this magazine, I set out to highlight some of the amazing local food businesses we have in the area during such a beautiful season.

Ohio Foodie is a food and drink focused magazine aiming to draw people into the variety of local food-based businesses we have in the area. Each seasonal issue features a different region in Ohio.

These local businesses have so many stories to tell, it's hard to fit even a snippet of each into a magazine.

Ohio Foodie's purpose is to entice readers to explore each region's seasonal food landscape, whether they're visiting from across the country or born and raised in Ohio.

Thank you to Terry Eiler for teaching this class and to my peer-based editorial board for all the feedback and support along the way. To all of the local businesses who participated in this magazine, thank you so much for letting me into your lives. I loved the opportunity to work with you. Thank you for being a part of my journey.

Table of Contents

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Olive Branch Catering ACEnet partnership appeals to everyone's taste

Lake Hope Lodge Home-style food in Ohio's Zaleski State Forest

Bakery 323 Ohio University alumnus hand-delivers sweet treats

O'Betty's Old-style red hots, fries, and a hot dog museum

Pleasant Hill Vineyards Corder family crafts local wine and gourmet food

Fall in Southeast Ohio 3

Olive Branch Catering Local family's business appeals to everyone's taste

Cauliflower steak, vegetables, and rice prepared for an event at Zenner House in Athens, Ohio.

Olive Branch Catering is a family-run, full-service catering company based in Southeast Ohio. Owners Nick Finocchioli, the main chef, and wife Lara Neal run their business with the resources of ACEnet, the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks. ACEnet is a community-based economic development organization serving the thirty-two counties of Appalachia Ohio. The mission of ACEnet is to grow the regional economy by supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening economic sectors.

Nick grew up around grandparents who valued cooking and growing their own food. Speaking about his paternal grandmother, he said, “She took me under her wing because I think she saw that I appreciated it.” When Nick was in third grade, he started learning how to cook to help provide for his family. Growing up, his mother's side of the family would take him to Hungarian festivals with authentic outfits, food, and music to help learn about his heritage. “I was surrounded by good food for most of my life, and I know there's a lot of kids out there that aren't, so I'm blessed for that,” said Nick.

Both Lara and Nick are from Ohio and earned degrees from Hocking College. After moving here, they fell in love with the area and each other, deciding to make it their new home. Nick noticed the lack of a full service catering company in the area, and with his culinary degree and experience, they realized a catering company could be the right venture. The couple started their business in 2007, shortly after having their daughter, Olive, who was born with Down syndrome. Lara said, “We were talking about going into this food venture and we hadn't really come up with the name, and Nick's mom suggested Olive Branch Catering.”

As a student at Hocking College, Nick was aware of ACEnet and had worked with other chefs who rent out commercial kitchens, fridges, and freezer space instead of owning their own building. The food industry is a tough

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business to be in, especially with startup costs, and Nick credits ACEnet as the reason they're able to run Olive Branch Catering. “I couldn't just afford my own kitchen and have all that overhead, all those bills, responsibilities, equipment and everything you'd have to buy,” Nick said.

He knew ACEnet was an option and decided to interview for it. Over fifteen years later, they are still partners.

“We're lucky to have them [ACEnet] here,” Nick said.

“We're lucky to have them [ACEnet] here.” – Nick Finocchioli While being business owners is challenging, Nick and Lara love their work. The flexibility is a plus, and as a

Top Left: Nick Finocchioli chops zucchini in the ACEnet kitchen space in Athens, Ohio in preparation for a catering event.

Middle: Vegetables prepared by Nick Finocchioli on the stove at Zenner House in Athens, Ohio during an event.

Bottom Right: Olive Finocchioli shows off her cheerleading moves to her mom Lara Neal and the rest of the Olive Branch Catering staff while preparing for a catering event at Zenner House in Athens, Ohio.

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sixteen year old, Olive is hired for a lot of the smaller events now. Lara said, “She gets a lot of attention and love so she eats it up…now she's starting to work, it's nice to see that she takes pride in it.”

They enjoy their time connecting with local food entrepreneurs at ACEnet and hiring other food service workers to help with catering jobs when necessary. Lara said, “I always like to say people who work with us, not for us…they really enjoy working with us, which makes me feel good because then that makes me think, ‘okay, we must be doing something right’.”

Olive Branch Catering will create a customized experience for any occasion, including onsite cooking.

“We don't have set menus for our clients to browse

through and pick from. Instead, we create a unique menu that fits their wants and their needs with the budget that they have set aside for the food,” Lara said. They cater a wide range of events and love to showcase fresh, local food whenever possible.

Their commitment to creating the best experience for guests and strong culinary talents make any meal from Olive Branch Catering top-notch. When you find yourself catering an event in Southeast Ohio, talk to Nick and Lara about the custom menus they can provide for your every need. And if you're attending an event they're catering, make sure you say “hi” to Olive.

Contact Lara Neal at olibranch.catering@gmail.com for all of your Southeast Ohio catering needs.

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Lake Hope Lodge Home-style food in the heart of Ohio's Zaleski State Forest As autumn paints the trees of the Hocking Hills, people flock from all over the country to explore this beautiful region. Amidst this natural landscape lies Lake Hope Lodge, with a casual dining restaurant full of charm. The rustic lodge has become a beloved destination among both locals and visitors who enjoy a peaceful escape into nature.

Lake Hope State Park covers nearly 3,000 acres within the Zaleski State Forest. Based in Vinton County, the lodge includes a fantastic view of the lake

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and surrounding forest. Lake Hope Lodge was the first state built and owned lodge in Ohio, and originally opening in 1951. It was designed to provide kitchen amenities to the cabins built in the surrounding area.

In 2006, the original structure burned down due to an electrical fire. Five million dollars was given to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) in 2008 from the insurance settlement. RVC Architects Inc., a local architectural firm based in Athens, Ohio was brought into the rebuild effort in 2009. After serious delays in funding by ODNR, construction began in 2011.

Eric Lee, a local chef from Athens, was looking to open a new restaurant in the area. For years, RVC Architects was trying to suggest that the lodge might be the perfect location for this new restaurant. Toward the end of the lodge construction, Eric Lee said, “We came out and looked at it, and well, it's beautiful. So we said ‘alright, we'll do it’.”

The lodge features beams cut from the Zaleski State Forest and art from various local artists, including

Top: A panoramic view of Lake Hope and the surrounding Zaleski State Forest from the lodge's back deck and dining area.

Bottom Right: Food from Lake Hope Lodge's Sunday Brunch Buffet.

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Above: Lake Hope Lodge's interior dining area.

stained glass windows handmade by RVC Architect's David Reiser. “You might notice there are pictures everywhere…the architects solicited Vinton County residents to bring in pictures of their connections to Lake Hope, so those are all real pictures of real customers that come out here all the time,” said Lee. By 2012, the new lodge was finished and they opened for business that November. Ever since

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then, business has been booming. Lee credits the lodge's success to local people visiting on a regular basis. While there is an emphasis of ecotourism in the Hocking Hills, it's the unwavering support of the surrounding community that keeps the Lake Hope Lodge spirit alive.

They make everything fresh and from scratch— from stone fired pizza, to smoked meat, to grilled

vegetables. In addition to their lunch and dinner, their Sunday brunch buffet is a must-try, featuring a variety of home-style food.

At Lake Hope Lodge, you'll experience a stunning landscape and a historic, community-valued restaurant. With their diverse menu, guests of all ages and tastes can find a dish they'll love. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or a foodie looking for a relaxed

dining experience in the heart of the Zaleski State Forest, Lake Hope Lodge offers a warm environment that captures the welcoming feeling of this region.

Check out the gorgeous views at Lake Hope Lodge, 27331 State Route 278, McArthur, Ohio 45651.

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Left: Bakery 323's seasonal apple cider cupcakes. Above: Cam Kasler holds an order of mini red velvet cupcakes in his kitchen.

Q&A Cam Kasler, owner of Bakery 323, sits down with Ohio Foodie to discuss his small business venture Just outside Athens City in Southeast Ohio, Bakery 323 operates out of Cam Kasler's family home. Cam grew up in Athens and graduated from Ohio University with an Entrepreneurship degree in 2022. Join Ohio Foodie as we explore how Cam's unique journey and business model have made Bakery 323 a popular local business among Ohio University students and Athens locals.

How did you get started?

Toward the end of college, one of my friends from high school asked me if I could bake him a cake. I had always baked my own birthday cakes, so I said, “sure,” and he paid me for it. Then I thought, maybe this is something that I could do. It started with people my parents knew who would order, and then it kept growing. Eventually, the biggest thing was an Ohio University parents Facebook page that my mom was in. The parents were looking for places that can make things and deliver to students. I decided to get serious at the beginning of 2021, and then the business kind of blew up. Now, 95% of my orders are deliveries to students from their parents.

Can you tell us more about your education from Ohio University?

Eventually, I settled into entrepreneurship once I knew I was doing this. My parents own a local business,

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so I'd always been around it. So, I finished with a major in entrepreneurship and a minor in sport management. I did talk to Paul Mass a bit, one of the entrepreneurship professors. He has a class where you work with businesses, that's like a mini internship. That was super helpful just seeing kind of what it takes to run a business and especially because I was working with the Pigskin, a local bar and grill, so a food industry business. You can get internship experience through the college, but with entrepreneurship, there's really nothing like running your own business.

Could you elaborate on your company name?

My name came from Colossians 3:23, in the Bible it says essentially whatever you do, work at it with your all as if working for the Lord and not humans. I just thought it was really fitting for what I wanted to do and what I believe.

What do you sell other than cupcakes?

I make cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and blondies.

That's the big four that I do. I think my brownies are awesome personally, and I think chocolate chip cookies are something other people should try, too.

Where do you see this taking you in the future?

It's kind of interesting because most people would start a bakery and then they would just sell out of the bakery. But with who my orders come from, students can go to other places to pick up stuff. In the future I'd like to have kind of a hybrid between a full blown bakery and a delivery service, because most of my orders are for delivery.

What flavor do you think people should try?

Cam Kasler's commitment to serving the people in his hometown and his entrepreneurial background have merged to create a bakery service that represents the spirit of a small-town community. With both pickup and delivery services, Bakery 323 ensures accessibility for all, offering extensive flavor variety to a growing audience. If you're looking for high-quality baked goods delivered to your doorstep, look no further than Bakery 323—an Athens favorite run by an Ohio University alumnus, where every occasion is made sweeter with Cam's homemade treats.

I think people should try orange dreamsicle. It's orange cake and orange frosting, but then it's filled with an actual cream filling. That's my favorite flavor.

Order sweet treats for pickup or delivery in Athens, Ohio from bakery323.com.

What are your top selling flavors?

Oreo flavor is a big one, and so is confetti because that's kind of a childhood favorite too. Once you get into the fall and winter, I think hot chocolate is a big seller.

Left: Cam Kasler removes pumpkin flavored cupcakes from his oven.

Right: After cooling and packaging the pumpkin cupcakes, Cam Kasler applies the icing.

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O'Betty's Old-style red hots, fries, and a museum all in one local restaurant

Three of O'Betty's hot dogs (top to bottom) Varla, Sally, and Dixie.

Above: O'Betty's employee Shirleen Espinueva hands customer Olivia Barnes food through the late night pickup window.

Located in the heart of Uptown Athens, Ohio, O'Betty's is a hidden gem. On the outside, it seems like a typical Uptown Athens restaurant. It has a funky vibe, a neon sign, and a few steps up to a smaller door tucked away from the sidewalk. When you walk in, you're hit with a wave of color and texture.

The O'Betty's interior immerses you in a red and yellow world with a disco ball above the seating area. Every wall is covered in photos, burlesque art, and hot dog memorabilia. Yes, you read that right— O'Betty's features an extensive collection of hot dog memorabilia, and it's an experience you definitely don't want to miss.

The building has seen plenty of different stores

the 1980s and rented to other people, until 2003 when he decided to open his own restaurant, O'Betty's.

“He [Bob] is super proud of the all natural, beef casing, it snaps when you bite into it, five star old-style red hots,” said employee Tracy Duncan. For the vegetarians out there, O'Betty's offers vegetarian dog substitutions at no additional charge. All of the menu items are specially curated by Bob, layered and presented in a specific way. Each hot dog is named after a burlesque dancer to add some extra flair.

O'Betty's offers hot dogs, brats, vegetarian options, fries, and more. When discussing what makes other menu items special, Duncan said, “fresh cut fries, 100% peanut oil…we make them fresh every day.”

and restaurants over the years. Employee Matt Hillis said, “It's the smallest building in Uptown Athens…it used to be an ally at one point, and they just put a roof over it.” Owner Bob Satmary bought the building in

As you enter the seating area, be sure to look up. You walk under a Michelangelo-style hand painting, with an Andy Warhol hot dog they cut and pasted on top. It's Bob's favorite part of the restaurant.

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“It's creation, you know, and then there was hot dog,” said Duncan, smiling. These days, Bob focuses mostly on interior decoration. The employees say it's always something different. They have plenty more memorabilia in storage, and Bob likes to surprise them by changing out different decorations almost weekly.

“He [Bob] is super proud of the all natural, beef casing, it snaps when you bite into it, five star old-style red hots.” – Tracy Duncan Matt Hillis, one of O'Betty's main employees, has worked there for 15 years now. He is from Ohio and originally moved to Athens for college. He started off as a customer and got to know Bob well as a regular, so when there was a job opening, he took the opportunity. After college, he moved away for a few years and decided to come back. Matt said, “I loved Athens, so I came back. Bob hired me back here, and I've been here another 12 or 13 years since then.” When customers walk into O'Betty's, they can instantly feel the upbeat environment, with fun music playing and friendly employees. There's a strong sense of community, with a blend of students and long-time Athens residents always popping in and out.

O'Betty's is a funky, unconventional restaurant that's become a must-see in Uptown Athens. It's where the history of the hot dog meets the quirky nature of the local community. Whether you're in need of a fun lunch spot or searching for a late-night snack after exploring the bar scene, O'Betty's is here to offer you a unique, high-quality selection of hot dogs and fries.

Athens is a place where small businesses thrive with the support of locals and students, and this restaurant is no exception. O'Betty's is more than just a place to grab a quick bite—it's an immersive experience.

Visit obettys.com for more information, or stop by in person at 15 W State St. Athens, OH 45701.

Anson Battoclette and Chelsea Tano enjoy their food inside O'Betty's.

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Pleasant Hill Vineyards Overlooking the rolling hills of Southeast Ohio, Pleasant Hill Vineyards is a family-run winery and restaurant that combines the art of winemaking with culinary excellence. Founded by the Corder family, the restaurant offers a rotating menu featuring locally sourced, seasonal ingredients paired with different wines. Pleasant Hill Vineyards is a mustvisit destination for those seeking a beautiful view, cozy dining experience, and love for handcrafted wine.

Left: Overhead view of Pleasant Hill Vineyards.

Photo by Dylan Savona.

Right: Stella, Luna, and Harmony Road wines crafted by the Corder family and staff.

In 2005, Ross Corder retired from the steel mill. After retiring, he and his wife Sandie decided they were interested in starting their own winery. This began a five-year journey working for Lee and Joy Wyse of Rainbow Hills Winery in Coshocton, Ohio to learn more about winemaking. In 2012, the couple, their son Nick, and his wife Anne, decided to buy the Pleasant Hill Road property in Athens, Ohio. The property renovations took two years, including the restoration of a 1832 log cabin attached to the tasting room.

Discussing their wine, Ross said, “we use French hybrids, they grow wonderfully in the clay soil.” The Corders typically offer ten different types of wine, often named after loved ones. Their Noiret was hybridized out of Cornell University, with Ross and two other people being the first to

plant them in Ohio. “They gave us a head start,” said Ross, “So, I've got nine years of work with that plant.” The struggle for a lot of Ohio growers is the unpredictability of how late frost can be in the spring. With French hybrids, they will bud a second time. Pleasant Hill Vineyards even has a weather advantage being so high on the ridgeline. “We have one of the best sites in Ohio for growing grapes. We're the third highest point in Athens, so we get airwash. When there's frost it hardly hits us up here,” said Ross, “They actually used our crop pictures and stuff for site location for new wineries at a wine conference last year.”

All of their wine is bottled and labeled by hand on site, with their family business producing between 20,000–30,000 bottles per year. Their blends are crafted by the Corders and often tastetested by loyal customers. No two seasons are Fall in Southeast Ohio 21

alike, so each year's blend will be slightly different than the previous. When it comes to winemaking, “It's all about balance,” said Ross.

Pleasant Hill Vineyards features an expansive view of the hills in Southeast Ohio. With both indoor and covered outdoor seating, customers can dine however they prefer.

“All the food's homemade from scratch here, I mean, we even make our own butter,” said Ross, “In the summer, we do things differently than we do in the winter. The fire's going, it's cozy in here when it's snowing outside.”

“All the food's homemade from scratch here, I mean, we even make our own butter.” – Ross Corder Their menu changes seasonally, with more salads and wood-fired pizzas leading up to fall, and more soups and pasta as the year comes to a 22 Ohio Foodie

close. They enjoy incorporating seasonal specials, such as wine spritzers and pumpkin themed desserts. Open Wednesday through Saturday, each night features a different entree, including meat and vegetarian/vegan options, along with a standard set of appetizers and wine.

Whether you're planning a romantic date night, a reunion with old friends, or looking for a venue to host an event, Pleasant Hill Vineyards has something special to offer. This charming destination not only provides a cozy dining experience, but also celebrates the essence of family business and a profound love for local food in this region. Pleasant Hill Vineyards is the perfect place to indulge in local food and wine while immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Southeast Ohio.

Follow Pleasant Hill Vineyards on Facebook for weekly menu and event updates.

Left: Pleasant Hill Vineyards family and staff pose in front of the “Ohio Athens Co.” painted on their barn.

Right: Delectable food from various nights at Pleasant Hill Vineyards.

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Ross and Junebug Corder pose for a portrait under the archway at Pleasant Hill Vineyards.