LIFESTYLE LETTER
Cozy Season
Am I the only one who finds herself wearing sweaters in the summer for three minutes before it gets too hot just because I want to feel cozy? Regardless, fall is finally upon us and we can wear sweaters all day.
Autumn is the season of coziness and scary movies (if that's your thing). Bake some pumpkin bread and host a brunch with a couple of your friends.
This month is our food and drink issue. Woodstock has such a rich culinary culture and we are proud to present some excellent content to you featuring Leaning Ladder Olive Oil and Roberto's Deluxe.
SARA HAGEN, EDITOR
@WOODSTOCKCITYLIFESTYLE
October 2024
PUBLISHER
Marco Rossi | marco.rossi@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Sara Hagen | sara.hagen@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Sue Collins | scollins@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Stephanie Benzee | stephanie.benzee@citylifestyle.com
Katya Gore | katya.gore@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Sara Hagen
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Sara Hagen
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
Proverbs 3:5-6
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Chef Morris of Ghost Kitchen Atlanta teaches a class on how to make Neopalitan-style pizza. 2: Fresh Start Cherokee Launchpad Bootcamp Graduates 3: The Pop-Up Poppy at The Local Bloom market on the Woodstock Arts Event Green. 4: Confetti Clubhouse shared a DIY craft on Atlanta and Company 5: Dragon Con Parade 6: Scarecrow Invasion has begun this year! 7: U-Pick Apples and Flowers began Labor Day Weekend At R and A Orchards
SARA HAGEN
CONFETTI CLUBHOUSE
FRESH START CHEROKEE
SARA HAGEN
Fall into Beauty Event
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: 10/24/24
FIRST SESSION: 12:00PM - 2:00PM
SECOND SESSION: 5:30PM - 8:30PM
$10 RSVP GRANTS YOU ACCESS TO:
Demos on your favorite treatments. Discounts on Botox, CoolPeel, and more! Swag bags for all attendees.
Light Bites & Drinks will be served
YOUR $10 GOES TOWARDS RSVP REQUIRED
LIBERTY ELEMENTARY, FREEDOM MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND CHEROKEE HIGH SCHOOL THANKSGIVING BASKET PROJECT
business monthly
Jéa Salon Partners with Make-A-Wish for 2nd Anniversary
Jéa Salon celebrated their 2nd anniversary with a party and a raffle benefitting Make-a-Wish with prizes including salon services and gifts from local businesses.
Scan to read more
Hands-On Baking Classes at Pie Bar
Pie Bar is offering two classes in October where you'll learn how to make Caramel Apple Pie. By the end of the class, you’ll leave with:
- 1 whole pie per person that you made
- 2 additional pie doughs for baking at home
- The recipes to recreate your pie dough and caramel apple pie Visit orderpiebar.com to get tickets!
Scan to read more
Self-Defense Classes
Learn an effective form of self-defense, while developing balance, focus, self-control, and self- esteem. Techniques taught will help improve hand-eye coordination and self-confidence. Traditional Taekwon-Do and Karate classes are being offered for people of all ages. For more information, please visit www.kennesawparksandrec.org
Photography by @kennesawparks
Photography by Pie Bar
Photography by Jéa Salon
INTENTIONAL SERVICE, IMPECCABLE CUISINE
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA HAGEN
ROBERTO’S DELUXE CO-OWNER JASON SHEETZ SHARES THE ETHOS, INSPIRATION, AND DEDICATION BEHIND SUCCULENT HOSPITALITY’S NEWEST RESTAURANT
Among Woodstock’s rich culinary culture, Roberto's Deluxe stands out not only for its menu but for the dedication behind the scenes. Located in Adair Park, Roberto’s Deluxe is the latest venture of Succulent Hospitality, the group behind Prime 120 in downtown and Under the Cork Tree in Sandy Springs.
At Roberto's Deluxe, the philosophy is this: every element of the dining experience is crucial. Jason, co-owner of Succulent Hospitality emphasizes, "The food and the drinks are 30%, the atmosphere is 30%, and the service is 30%." This "three-legged stool" approach ensures that every element of the guest experience is fantastic and memorable.
CONTINUED >
The restaurant's commitment to quality is evident in its dedication to serving only the freshest seafood. "Every bit of seafood that we sell from the kitchen is brought in that day," William states. Whether it's Redfish, Mahi Mahi, or any of the ten varieties of fish they offer, freshness is non-negotiable. White shrimp is sourced from Marshland Seafood and caught, frozen, and shipped all within a 24 hour period before arriving at Roberto’s.
The process behind the menu is creative and always changing . Executive Chef Josh, along with sous chefs Edgar and Rebecca, collaborate with the entire kitchen team to keep the menu fresh and exciting. "We print our menus literally every day," explains Jason, reflecting on the importance of offering only the freshest ingredients.
Roberto's Deluxe is a testament to a legacy built on passion, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. This dedication to quality and service ensures that diners not only enjoy a meal but experience a culinary journey that respects both tradition and innovation. As Jason puts it, "Ultimately, it's all for the guests. We're fighting for them from every angle." At Roberto's Deluxe, every dish is a representation of the creativity and dedication behind it and every visit is a celebration of life, food, and community.
Menu items shown on the cover:
• Gingered Guava Rita made with guava puree, lime, and ginger cordial
• Whole Georgia Shrimp “Scampi” with Diablo Butter, a butter made using red jalapeños, arbol, and red chili flake. Sourced from Marshland Seafood in Brunswick, GA.
Reserve a table today at robertoswoodstock.com and follow them @robertosdeluxe and @succulenthospitality on Instagram.
LEANING LADDER
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY SARA HAGEN
Leaning Ladder Olive Oil, located next to Vincenzo's and Foxtale Bookshoppe downtown, is an artisan olive oil and culinary shop. Susan always had a passion for cooking and opened Leaning Ladder in 2013. In 2020, they opened their 1000-square-foot cooking studio.
Leaning Ladder holds several cooking classes every month, taught by experienced chefs. In August, they had a class all about how to make Neopalitan-style pizza, from prepping the ingredients and making the dough to launching into the pizza oven to knowing signs of doneness to look for and tips for removing pizzas from an 800°+ degree oven. And, of course, the class always gets to taste the fruits of their labor.
The class was taught by the enthusiastic and charismatic Chef Morris, who runs the local Atlanta pizza joint Ghost Pizza. In 2012, Morris started his journey as a chef when he worked as a line cook for Chef Matt Wallace at Graft, a farm-to-table restaurant in Grayson, Georgia. The desire to become a chef began to take shape. Morris keeps up his culinary adventures, mainly in Atlanta, Georgia, where he works as a caterer for the Frog Hollow catering team during the PGA Masters Tournament and at restaurants including Hi Life, Noble Fin, Iberian Pig, Bar Mercado, and GunShow. Morris started his entrepreneurial career in 2020 by starting a meal prep
business, which later developed into HD Prep, one of Atlanta's best pop-up restaurants. HD Prep is now Ghost Pizza, where Chef Morris and his team craft beer-infused Neopalitan-style pizzas.
There is an acute art to pizza preparation. The work surface and pizza peel must be adequately floured. The dough needs to be consistent and have no holes. The toppings must be substantial but not too much so as to avoid weighing down the pizza. After the satisfying quick slide of the dough onto the peel, the dough gets "launched" into the blazing hot pizza oven. Chef Morris advised the class to look for "leoparding", which are small dark spots that appear on the pizza after a couple of minutes in the oven. That's a sign it's time to turn. Chef Morris demonstrated what to look for in a fully cooked pizza by removing it from the oven and lifting it slightly. If it bended, it needed to go back in the oven. If it was stiff, it was done.
Leaning Ladder hosts other classes on subjects such as how to make meatballs, green curry, and croissants, to name a few. Go to leaningladderoliveoil.com to sign up for a class, and follow them @leaningladder on Instagram.
Find Ghost Pizza and Chef Morris at ghostpizzaatl.com and @ghostpizzaatl on Instagram.
“ THERE IS AN ACUTE ART TO PIZZA PREPARATION.”
Buy It For Life
Two Kitchen
Materials
that Stand the
Test
of Time, and Two that Don’t
OUR TOP PICKS FOR LONG LASTING KITCHENWARE:
• KitchenAid Professional Mixer - our editor has had this mixer for over 20 years and it works like the day it was bought. These mixers are well-made with easy part replacement if something stops working.
• Wusthoff Chef’s Knives - When it comes to knives, it’s best to pay more upfront on something that will last decades than spend $50 or less on a knife that will last a few years. Wusthoff is well-known for the quality of their products. Tip: Buy a knife sharpener or take your knives to a local cooking shop that offers knifesharpening services.
• Boos Block Cutting Boards - John Boos, founded in 1887, is one of America’s oldest butcher block manufacturers. Their wood is top-tier and, with proper care, won’t split or otherwise lose its function.
• Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls - There’s a reason why chefs prefer this material for mixing bowls. It is good at handling various temperatures without the worry of leeching harmful chemicals into food. Stainless steel mixing bowls are durable and last for decades.
ARTICLE BY WOODSTOCK CITY
LIFESTYLE
“It’s best to pay more upfront on something that will last decades than spend $50 or less on something that will last a few years.”
From bowls to utensils to cookware, stainless steel is food-safe and not known to have any effects on human health. Make sure your stainless steel is nickel-free, however, as some stainless steel products contain nickel, which is not food-safe. You can easily determine this using “the magnet test.” If a magnet sticks to your product, it is foodsafe stainless steel. If not, it’s time to replace it.
Stainless Steel
Cast Iron
While heavy, cast iron is a timeless material. If kept in good shape with occasional seasoning, cast iron cookware can truly last a lifetime. In addition to cast iron skillets, you can buy cast iron griddles, bakeware, and serveware.
Non-stick Plastic
Teflon, or any nonstick coating (including ceramic, the latest trend in nonstick cookware) are harmful to human health. The nonstick coating eventually leeches into your food and is easily ingested. Our advice is to steer clear of anything with non-stick coating in accordance with scientific data indicating it as a health hazard.
We are calling out all plastic in the kitchen here, but if we had to choose one plastic item to advise against using, it is plastic cutting boards. You are likely scraping tiny plastic pieces into all the food you are prepping. Microplastics are more common than ever and hazardous to human health. Always go for wooden cutting boards.
Local Faves
Bizarre Coffee
Bizarre Coffee is a funky and creative coffee shop located in Downtown Woodstock. Check out their fall flavors like Pumpkin Honey Butter, Wicked Apple, Salted Thai, Cozy Core, and The Basic Witch.
Woodstock Flowers and Gifts
Woodstock Flowers and Gifts is the perfect choice for beautiful flowers and gifts for any occasion. They offer fresh flowers, green & blooming plants, gourmet baskets, chocolates, and balloon bouquets.
Deep Roots Wine Market
Deep Roots Wine Market offers a unique wine tasting experience with wines from all over the US, and visitors can also enjoy small plates from the kitchen.
Delicious Latin-Asian cuisine served in a fun and inviting atmosphere. Enjoy dishes like empanadas, Korean Fried Cauliflower, churros, and much more.
Sizzling Spices
Indulge in the magic of Indian cuisine, from savory curries to butter chicken to samosas. Stop by this highly-rated restaurant in town.
Taqueria Tsunami
Tricia DeJarnett
ARTIST AND SMALL BUSINESS MARKET IN DOWNTOWN HOSTED BY THE BLOOM EXCHANGE CO.
ARTICLE BY SARA HAGEN
The Local bloom
The Local Bloom was an artisan, maker, and artist market at the Woodstock Arts’ Event Green in late August. Hosted by The Bloom Exchange Co., this event featured food and drinks from places like High Mountain Bread, W. Amor Charcuterie, and The Little Sober Bar.
Over 50 small business vendors participated in The Local Bloom. The atmosphere was chill and fun and a perfect afternoon event for everyone (including some adorable dogs!)
The Local Bloom and similar markets are our go-to places to buy things like jewelry, pottery, crochet toys, wall art, fresh flowers, and more. Follow @thebloomexchangeco on Instagram to find information about their upcoming pop-up markets and follow all of the fantastic vendors!
the BENEFITS OF PLANT-BASED EATING
ARTICLE BY CLAUDIA MARTIN AYOADE
BY
JANIE JONES
Most people think a plant-based diet is strictly for those vegan and vegetarian types, but there is no debating the overwhelming evidence showing the benefits of improved health for those who make that diet choice. Plant-based eating is more of a lifestyle than a diet. You are simply eating more foods that are closer to their harvested state with minimal processing.
PHOTOGRAPHY
A Whole Body Approach
Woodstock Pelvic Health specializes in the treatment of all pelvic health issues
organ
birth prep and postpartum recovery. Call or text to schedule your appointment today!
Meatless diets have been shown to improve health outcomes by lowering the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation, and some cancers. It also improves gut health because of added fiber to your diet.
A plant-based diet still allows to you consume the carbohydrates, protein, fats, minerals and vitamins that are necessary for good health, with the added benefits of being higher in fiber and phytonutrients.
You do not have to give up meat entirely and there are labels to identify where you fall in your plant eating journey. Do what is comfortable for you so you will stick with it.
You can choose to be a flexitarian which mean you occasionally eat meat but you choose plants as the primary foods you eat. You have some flexibility with your diet. If you choose to be a vegetarian, then you do not eat meats but you still eat eggs and dairy products as opposed to being a vegan who eats no animal products.
There is also another reason to add more fruits and vegetables to your daily food intake; It is better for the environment. The industries that produce our dairy and meats is said to account for a third of the world’s water usage in addition to producing greenhouse gas emissions. Eat your greens and save the planet!
TIPS TO GET STARTED ON YOUR PLANT-BASED JOURNEY:
1. Make small changes to test your comfort level when reducing meat intake. There is a risk of being overwhelmed if you suddenly stop eating meat altogether, and it will be harder stick to your choice long term. Increase consumption of plant foods you already like.
2. A plant-based diet does not mean boring! You can create a variety of dishes, including ethnic meals that are meat free and delicious. This is a great time to try new spices to add a punch to your vegetables and add green leafy vegetables to your smoothies.
3. Use the whole plant because there are nutrients in every part of the plant, including the stems and leaves. Use the leaves from celery, radishes, beets and carrots and use the stems from spinach. Don’t throw away vital nutrients like potassium, vitamin C and fiber. You are also reducing waste.
4. Eat the rainbow! Choose different colored fruits and vegetables to get a variety of nutrients. The color of plant-based foods is often an indicator of the vitamins and minerals they contain. So, more colors mean more nutrients. Example: Orange foods contain beta carotene, the precursor for vitamin A.
5. If you do not eat animal products, you will need to take a B12 and possibly an iron supplement. Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin available only in animal products. Low B12 can cause anemia and damage to the nervous system. Some vegan foods are fortified with vitamin B12.
6. A meat-free diet does not automatically mean healthy if you replace the meat with highly processed junk food and meat substitutes. You need to eat fresh quality fruits, vegetables and grains to get the health benefits that can add years to your life.
Sunya Sweeney, DMD
events
OCTOBER 4TH-20TH
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
Woodstock Arts Theatre - 8534 Main St.
This production is for anyone who loves a classic musical, and one of the greats from the American Musical Theatre canon. For those who loved the invention of INTO THE WOODS, the scale and spectacle of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and the darker turns a musical can take.
OCTOBER 5TH
Oktoberfest Pub Crawl
Downtown Woodstock | 2:00 PM
Follow along with this year's Oktoberfest Pub Crawl! Find a list of participating restaurants at visitwoodstockga.com
OCTOBER 7TH
Mad Hatter Day Tea Party
Hickory Flat Public Library | 4:00 PM
Celebrate National Mad Hatter Day with an all-ages tea party! Enjoy snacks and drinks that won’t make you grow or shrink! Costumes are welcome. No registration is required.
OCTOBER 12TH-13TH
Taste & Brews Fall Festival
Etowah River Park | 11:00 AM
The Taste & Brews Fall Festival, now in its fourth year, takes place the weekend of October 12th & 13th at the beautiful 80 acre Etowah River Park in Canton, Georgia. This is a must-attend fall event for foodies and beer lovers alike focusing on the array of tastes & flavors of the South.
OCTOBER 27TH
Happy Halloween Fun at our Sunday Supper with Joanna Scott
Leaning Ladder Olive Oil - 105 East Main Street | 3:30 PM
Get the whole family involved creating fun and delicious Halloween treats! We will have a howling good time! (Hands On Adult + Child Class) Ages 4+ ! All children must be accompanied by at least one adult.
On the Menu:
· Mummy Hot Dog Wrap Ups
· “Devil” Eggs
· Spooky Chocolate Pretzel Sticks Decorating
· Witch’s Brew Punch
OCTOBER 31ST
Halloween Trail of Tricks & Treats
Rubes Creek Trail | 8:00 PM
The City of Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department will host the 5th Annual Halloween Trail of Tricks & Treats on October 31st from 4 pm to 8 pm on the PAVED & LIGHTED Rubes Creek Trail across from Fire Station 14 on Arnold Mill Road. This free event features carnival games, hands on giant bubble making, crafts, kid’s activities, music, characters, and fun displays along the trail.
