The Green Front Cafe has been a part of Stockbridge history since 1947. Originally owned and operated by Carrie Mae Hambrick for over 50 years, the restaurant was purchased by Diane Miller, and her daughter, Malana, in 2018. “We purchased the Green Front Cafe because this is a landmark in the community,” said Miller. “This place matters.” What was a family business for the Hambrick family has become one for the Millers as well. Malana is known around the restaurant as the big boss, while Diane’s husband, Tony, and her son, Jordan, are the primary cooks. The Green Front Cafe...
Firehouse Kitchen Ablaze
Although retired from the fire department after 28 years, former Henry County Fire Department Captain Jorge Rodriguez can often be found at various Henry County Fire Department locations, visiting with former coworkers or, sometimes, cooking them dinner. His presence in the kitchen is not uncommon as that was one of his specialties when on the clock, in addition to his Special Operations firefighting duties. “Everybody has love languages, and one of mine is cooking,” said Rodriguez. “It’s a way of showing how we care about each other.” Cooking was an integral part of his childhood that became more enjoyable over...
Path to Good Eats
Antonio Patterson has taken a somewhat roundabout path to his current position as owner of a successful Henry County restaurant. “The Lord works in mysterious ways,” he said. “It was all in God’s plan because I didn’t plan on owning a restaurant or even cooking. I was just trying to figure things out.” After high school in his native Florida, Patterson briefly pursued college football. While that did not pan out, he graduated from college and ultimately got a job at the post office. Meanwhile, people at the church he attended told him repeatedly that he was destined to do...
Nutrition Tips for Kids to Make the Winter Season Healthy, Fun and Stress-Free
Winter nutrition for kids can be a tricky shift for parents to navigate. That’s why it’s important to give yourself grace and understand it’s completely normal if nutrition takes a back seat here and there. There will be times when we all feel powerless to say no to an extra helping of pumpkin pie or mashed potatoes. These challenges, however, also offer kids a chance for growth and exploration with their mindset around food. “This time of year gives parents and caregivers a great opportunity to work towards building a positive and pressure free food atmosphere in your family,” says...
Meet the ‘Homegrown’ Future of Henry County’s Culinary Scene
It’s 9:30 a.m. on a Monday, and Henry County Schools’ dual enrollment culinary arts students are preparing for classroom instruction at the Academy for Advanced Studies (AAS). However, it is not a typical day. Chef Tricia Vera introduces two guests interested in learning about the program and instructs students to change into cooking gear and relocate to the adjoining kitchen. Then, she announces the menu item for the day. Eggs. The students appear surprised at Vera’s choice. However, bewilderment quickly gives way to a sense of urgency as they gather cookware and ingredients. Vera explains they are learning different ways...
Ranchitos and Recipes
When Sheena Castellanos decided to go on a mission trip with other Strong Rock Christian School families to Nicaragua, the original plan was to help build ranchitos – small sheds – while also teaching families about the love of God. However, a new mission arose when Castellanos arrived at the village and observed the food menu. Castellanos, who received a culinary arts degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta, has been cooking for a very long time. In 2005, she opened The Grand Gourmet, a catering company based in McDonough. Her love for cooking inspired her to further assist the...
Grown with Love
In 2003 a Master Gardener steering committee took Daniel Webster’s quote – “Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of humanity.” – to heart with an interest to design and build the county’s first community garden. With the assistance of the director of the Heritage Senior Center along with the county commissioners, the Heritage Village Community Garden planted its first garden in the spring of 2004 and obtained 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit status. In the following 20 years, other community gardens have been developed – Windy Hill, Cubihatcha, Farm Bureau, and Wesley...
Distractions
I am a proud husband, parent, & pastor. If you share any of these labels, you (like me), have probably asked yourself the question, “where has the time gone?”. I’m not too old to have forgotten begging for time to speed up when I was a child and now it truly seems as though we’re stuck in fast forward. Have we managed to speed up time? In a word no, but it certainly feels like we have, doesn’t it? There is another explanation as to why the world and time itself seems to be evaporating before our eyes, not because...
Italian Cream Cake
Despite its name, the Italian Cream Cake may have roots in Texas… or is it Canada? It is said that the first record of the Italian Cream Cake was in 1913 in Canada, while the first known publication of the recipe is the Plano News in Texas. It’s believed to have been the creation of an Italian baker who moved to the United States. Whatever the story, the Italian Cream Cake is a classic. Here, Amy Watkins, known for her tasty sweet treats at her Daisy Mae Bakery inside Thompson’s Market in McDonough, shares her version of the classic Italian...
Feeling Renewed
On our recent trip to Costa Rica, my wife and I were eager to escape the daily grind and immerse ourselves in the beauty of my native country. We’d spent the past few days exploring rainforests, relaxing on sandy beaches, and indulging in the local cuisine. But, despite the stunning scenery, the everyday stresses of life back home still lingered in my mind. The morning we were leaving, we decided to take a walk on the beach. We spotted something unusual among the sunrise joggers and people doing yoga. There, weaving his way through, was a man impersonating none other...