Battle Creek Restaurant Week

 

Battle Creek Restaurant Week
I always enjoy Kalamazoo's restaurant week in January and July, so I was happy to see on Instagram that Battle Creek was hosting a restaurant week from October 10-14. There were so many restaurants I had never heard of and wanted to try. The sad thing is that I was fighting a cold for the whole week so I could not go. Friday I unexpectedly had to work in Battle Creek, so I stopped by the night market closing celebration at Festival Market Square. I was thankful that I did, I found a number of gems that I wanted to share with all of you. My page is about food, but I also want to help highlight any local business in the best way I can. 
Here were my purchases that night, and I will list where you can buy some of these supplies yourself.

Let's start with Cereal City Candles. These candles are DANGEROUS!! I love candles, and I will spend good money on great scents. All of the Cereal City Candles were amazing and they are soy which will burn longer! These candles were selling for $12. It was a hard choice because I always give myself an amount that I can spend in total. I could have spent more than my proposed total on these candles. Literally, EVERY scent smelled so good. I ended up selecting, Fresh Cut Roses. This scent is clean, and fresh, and smells like a bouquet of roses. Normally I'm not for floral aromas like this because they are too woodsy for me, but this candle has a beautiful scent.

Next, I chose Book of Shadows. I was the first person to buy this candle, which references the series Charmed. The description on the label is Lignin + Worn Leather + Sandalwood. This scent smells like a sweet version of fresh linen (in my opinion). This candle is worth a buy!

Lastly, I selected Breakfast in Battle Creek. I was told this was one of their best sellers. The description of this candle is Citrus + Vanilla + Sandalwood. This candle smells like a mix between lemon and vanilla. I am excited to lit this one. The scents are so aromatic that by just removing the lid the fragrance fills the whole room (of course you do not want to do this for long periods of time because the candle will start to lose its scent)

Contact Info for Cereal City Candles

Kellee VanValkenburg

facebook.com/cerealcitycandles

Email: cerealcitycandleco@gmail.com

Next was this young man whose table I was about to pass by had he not stopped me. This young man, Zaccari Frailey is the owner of Jerk Your Beef. His slogan is, "It's your beef, just jerk it!" I am not a lover of jerky which I told him and he let me sample some of his product. The jerky was so flavorful and smoky. The sample I had was original but I wanted even more of a smoky flavor so I bought the hickory smoked. There are 4 flavors; original, hickory smoked, sriracha, teriyaki, and honey and garlic. If you are a fan of jerky then, Jerk Your Beef is unequivocally the choice for you.

Contact Info for Jerk Your Beef

Zaccari Frailey

Facebook: facebook.com/jerkyourbeef

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerk_your_beef_jerky/

Email: jyb.jerky@gmail.com

Phone: (269) 589-7510

Bread and Basket is a boutique-style public market that specializes in the incubation of women of color-owned businesses and products. 

Bread and Basket is like a treasure chest of all the best items in one place. Tiffany Blackman called me over to her table, seeing her great personality shine through on this cold day,  I had to see what she had to offer. Tiffany had a little bit of everything. Candles, teas, body butter, jewelry, styling cream, you name it and she probably has it. I was leaning towards buying the beard balm, and oil, but I have to face the fact that I cannot grow a beard long enough to require balm or oil. I got two candles since they were buy one get one free (anything with free in the name is alright in my book). 

Bread and Basket showcase the unique character of women of color-owned businesses locally while advocating for WOC-owned businesses from around the U.S.

I am looking forward to my next visit to Battle Creek for work, I will be stopping by to check out the brick-and-mortar store. 

 Contact Info for Bread and Basket 

www.ourbreadourbasket.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadandbasketbc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadandbasketbc/

Email: breadandbasketbc@gmail.com

38 East Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, Mi, 49017

So much to say about this young man, Jordan Edwards, and not because we share the same last name. Jordan is the owner of JJ's Sweet Treats and made all these delicious treats you see here. Speaking with him briefly he has been in operation for a number of years now. I got the macaroons because who doesn't love macaroons? I wanted to get more but I made the mistake of going to him first. I was looking to just support a young-black business. When I got home and tried the macaroons they were wonderful! I was definitely disappointed in myself for not ordering more from him! I will not let the opportunity pass me by next time!

Contact Info for JJ's Bakery 

Jordan Edwards

Facebook: https://jjsweetreats.wixsite.com/bakery/contact

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjsweetreats/

Email: jjssweetreats@gmail.com

Phone: (269) 830-0817

Although I was bummed not to be able to see some of the wonderful restaurants that were a part of Battle Creek's Restaurant Week, I was able to support a few local businesses. Here is the link for restaurant week, even though it is over you can still find a couple gems worth visiting.

BC Restaurant Week

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