By CHRISTINA COSDON, Times Staff Writer
Published October 23, 2005
CLEARWATER - Ever wish you could have a freezer full of home-cooked meals, ready to pop into the oven or microwave? Super Suppers can make that wish come true.
Sandee and Fred McKenzie of Clearwater are opening a Super Suppers franchise in Countryside. It's the first in Florida, they say, and is to be followed soon by a second in Jacksonville.
The business, a culinary school and entree assembly program, offers 12 different entrees each month that individuals or groups can prepare in about two hours and take home, ready to cook when needed.
Ingredients are prepared by the Super Suppers staff and customers move among 12 stations, following each recipe's directions. Each meal is designed for four to six servings and the cost comes out to about $3 a serving, said Sandee McKenzie. To prepare six Super Suppers costs $110; 12 meals, $215.
"We do all the chopping and cleaning up," she said. "Our ingredients are fresh or frozen and we supply all the containers. You just bring a cooler or basket." Customers are treated to music, hors d'oeuvres and liquid refreshment while assembling their meals.
Recipes for November include braised pork loin slices with sweet potatoes, turkey tenderloins with cranberry compote, stuffed pizza with sausage and peppers, ham and corn chowder with muffins and deep dish apple-cranberry pie. All the recipes are created and tested by chefs.
For novices, the meal preparation includes instructions on how to read recipes, how to properly thaw entrees and food danger zones. Experienced cooks can learn some new techniques, McKenzie said.
Super Suppers Clearwater Northeast will open the first week in November in the Village of Countryside at 26242 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. Operating hours will be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons and evenings and Saturday mornings.
McKenzie said she will open with four employees and plans to hire a manager and add more staff as needed.
Starting the business took an investment of about $150,000, McKenzie said. The 1,600-square-foot space is decorated in a Tuscan style with a touch of Southwest.
The Texas-based Super Suppers was established three years ago by Judie Byrd, who founded the Culinary School of Fort Worth, where Super Suppers franchisees are trained. For more information, call 725-2789 or visit the Web site at www.SuperSuppersClearwaterNE.com
Safety Harbor chamber names top businesses
Tandem Health Care of Safety Harbor, at 1410 Fourth St. N, has been named the large business of the year by the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. It was established in 1998 and is headed by executive director Robert Evan.
Ed's Fine Wines, at 2454 McMullen-Booth Road, is the chamber's medium business of the year. It has been in business for four years and is owned by Ed Giancola.
Small business of the year was awarded to Nicole's Skin Care at 820 Second St. N. It was established in 1983 and is owned by Nicole Dunham.
The winners will compete with winners from chambers in Clearwater, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs for the title of Upper Pinellas Business of the Year to be awarded Nov. 17 at Ruth Eckerd Hall.
Lighthouse of Pinellas elects office-bearers
Jamie Neilson, who is a vice president and trust officer at Raymond James Trust Co. St. Petersburg, has been elected board chair of Lighthouse of Pinellas. He has been a board member for 15 years. Lynn Heckler, of PSCU Financial Services St. Petersburg, has been elected first vice chair and treasurer. Janet Henderson, owner of Weddings on Water in Clearwater, is second vice chair and Ruth Harris of Clearwater is secretary.
Lighthouse of Pinellas, at 6925 112th Circle N, Largo, provides services and training for blind or visually impaired Pinellas County residents.
Market Street Mortgage hires assistant VP
Glenn Dumont has joined Market Street Mortgage as assistant vice president of its production administration department. He most recently worked as vice president of mortgage underwriting at TD Banknorth in New England. In the past 20 years, he has worked in the processing, sales, management and operations departments of various mortgage companies.
Market Street Mortgage, based in Clearwater at 2650 McCormick Drive, was established in 1986 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetBank. It closed $2.5-billion in mortgage loans in 2004 and $1.5-billion during the first half of this year.
Lawyer relocates practice to Clearwater
Stanley M. Miller of East Lake has moved his law practice from Dunedin to Clearwater at 2790 Sunset Point Road. He has practiced more than 31 years in divorce, bankruptcy, wills, real estate and patents.
Oldsmar resident named Citizen of the Year
Tracey Arehart of Oldsmar has been named Citizen of the Year by the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is a consultant with Judie Glenn Inc., a promotional products distributor based in Palm Harbor. Active in church and community, she is co-chair of the 2006 Relay for Life, a Bell Ringer for the Salvation Army and helps with disaster relief efforts. "She asks her elderly neighbors to open their blinds in the morning so she knows all is well," said her boss, Judie Glenn.
News of businesses and business people can be faxed to the Business Digest at 445-4119, e-mailed to cosdon@sptimes.com or mailed to Business Digest, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. We are interested in new and unusual businesses, promotions, expansions and major new contracts. Photos can be sent, but not all will be used and they cannot be returned.
