Shy Cellars crowned Grand Champion at Taste of NFL

                        
Shy Cellars of Strasburg was crowned Grand Champion at the sixth annual Taste of the NFL held Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the new event center at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Hosted by the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, the event served as a fundraiser that will allow the organization to provide more than 700,000 meals to families in need in northeast Ohio. As Grand Champions, Shy Cellars will represent the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Foodbank at the national Taste of the NFL Event to be held on the eve of the Super Bowl in 2015. This year’s event highlighted delectable cuisine and beverages provided by more than 20 local and national vendors. Some of the area’s top chefs came together to support the Foodbank and to compete for the title of Taste of the NFL Grand Champion. Sherry Schie, owner and chef at Shy Cellars, along with head chef, Mark Green got involved in the event at the last minute when a space became available. “A recent guest had told someone on the Taste of NFL committee about us,” said Sherry Schie. “We were honored to have been asked and to win, well, it was just fantastic.” Green prepared a slow roasted pulled pork with an Asian inspired sesame barbeque sauce served with cheddar mashed potatoes while Schie created a clue cheese fondue served with flank steak and artisan bread. “The win was made more meaningful knowing it came from the public who voted for their favorite dishes,” said Schie. At Shy Cellars, all customers are referred to as guests. “We want everyone to feel at home here,” said Schie. “Even before I owned a restaurant I had friends come to my home for wine tastings and dinner parties. I want that feeling here, too.” Shy Cellars is a unique restaurant that specializes in locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality. An ever-changing menu means guests are constantly trying new items created by Schie, Green and Tara Schrock of White Velvet Desserts, the in-house pastry chef. “Just because you had something on Tuesday does not mean it will appear on the menu on Thursday,” said Schie. “We plan our menu around what is fresh, what is available and what mood we might be in. Mark (Green) and I try to plan ahead but sometimes it is not possible and we are still creating the menu that same day we are going to serve it.” Mark Green has a 20-year career in the restaurant business mostly in fine dining. Having worked with Schie in the past, he was actually considering leaving the kitchen permanently for a more consistent nine to five job when she approached him with an offer to come work for her. “When I first came up here to check the place I didn’t fully realize how Sherry was going to make this work,” said Green. “I mean, the building wasn’t complete and I told her, you realize we are standing in a garage, right? Well, she made it work and this is like no other restaurant I have ever experienced before. It is like a big family.” An open kitchen gives guests more than a glimpse but rather a front row seat as their meals are carefully prepared. “Of course I want our guests to see us as professionals,” said Green. “It is a kitchen, though and people get cut, plates get dropped and sometimes the language gets colorful. Letting our guests see that gives them a different perspective and allows them to really see what we do here and what it takes to prepare fine food.” Schie and her staff are impressed at how quickly the business has grown. “I took a leap of faith when I opened the restaurant,” said Schie. “Our future plans include a vineyard and our own wine.” Shy Cellars is located at 9185 State Route 250 Northwest, Strasburg. Reservations are recommended. Call them at 330-878-4163.


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