Column: Flipping to fall

We made the transition from second summer to fall this week. I blame myself for this — my chili recipe and pumpkin soup recipe surely encouraged the seasons to get in gear with the transition.

As Halloween approaches, our minds shift to hayrides, bonfires, finding the perfect pumpkins and, just around the corner, Thanksgiving. I want to bring your attention to some excellent things happening in our local culinary scene right now so that you can take advantage of them.

First, the Center Café at the Medina County Career Center has begun its lunches. The Center Café, located at 1101 W. Liberty St. in Medina, offers sit-down lunch Wednesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., October through May. Food is prepared and served by students of the Chef and Restaurant Management program. If you have been there, you know how great it is, and if you have not tried it yet, now is the time. You can also order food online for pickup. It’s affordable, and you will leave smiling. For reservations, call 330-721-0229 or email Chef Tony at tstanislo@mcjvs.edu with at least 48 hours’ notice.

Next, Keller Market & Cafe has begun taking orders for its Thanksgiving turkeys. Reserve yours soon so you can scratch that task off your list and focus more time on these events happening now.

One interesting development is the reopening of Sérénité Restaurant & Culinary Institute, located at 538 W. Liberty St. in Medina, after the program went through some changes. Sérénité has teamed up with the American Culinary Federation to assist with the culinary training portion of its program, as well as with Hope Recovery Community to provide new opportunities for those freeing themselves from addiction and seeking a second chance. Last week and this week are soft opening weeks as they get back up to speed. The restaurant will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m. Make reservations at sereniterestaurant.com, call 330-952-2611, or just stop in to see what’s new. Please remember to show some grace as they reopen with an entirely new staff. Their mission is important to our community, so let’s show them some love.

Lastly, The Corkscrew Saloon — still serving clams all month in honor of Northeast Ohio’s clambake season — will host a Crown Royal Whisky Dinner on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. The cost for this tasting dinner is $65 per person plus gratuity. If you’re a Crown Royal fan, you know these seats will sell out fast. Chef Ryan Marino will pair some fabulous dishes with rare Crown Royal Whisky selections.

Here’s the menu: The starting course is autumn bisque in a pumpkin bowl with cinnamon crème fraîche paired with Private Barrel Crown Royal. The second course is smoked pork over a sweet potato pancake paired with Crown Royal Noble Barley Edition. The third course is Corkscrew barbecue paired with Crown XO. The final course is chicken and waffles paired with Crown Royal Noble Winter Edition. Dessert is Jenny’s Chocolate Crown Cocktail.

I’ve been to many of these dinners at Corkscrew — bourbon dinners, wine dinners and even a past Crown Royal dinner — and they are all memorable events. Check out their ad in this edition for the QR code and order your tickets online.

As always, I urge you to eat fresh, dine local and be happy.