What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown
By Nancy Vallarella
The Sisterhood of Smithtown Super Moms
Smithtown is full of talented women. They take care of their families, many have careers, some have their own business and several share their talents for the benefit of the community. What they do best is network to help each other achieve goals. Here is an example of how this works in our town. Please bear in mind that this example names just a few of the many Super Moms of Smithtown and of course; food is involved too.
Flash back to August, 2012 – Yogurtini opens on Middle Country Road in the heart of Smithtown. The town embraces a new business opening its doors but naysayers are doubtful that yet another self-serve yogurt store will succeed.
Enter super mom owner of Yogurtini and Town of Smithtown resident Ellen Bedziner. Her plan from the beginning has always been to bring a high quality product with a variety of unique flavors to the marketplace. ;)
Right from the start, Ellen introduced Yogurtini to Smithtown with a grand opening that raised money to benefit breast cancer research. Over the following eight months Yogurtini has served 16 yogurt flavors per month (that always include one no sugar added and one gluten free) accompanied by over 70 delicious toppings. Throughout those months, in addition to breast cancer research Ellen helped raise;)
funds for Smithown High School West DECA, Hope for Youth, The Smithtown/St. James Little League and most recently, Mike’s Hike Scholarship Fund overseen by The Smithown Children’s Foundation in memory of science teacher Mike Denaro of Accompsett Elementary.
Ellen has become so rooted in her business and the community she has become known in town as thee “Yogurt Lady” of Smithtown. Fully aware that a business cannot run by hosting fundraisers alone, Ellen has recently launched a line of Yogurtini frozen yogurt pies. Now the Yogurtini experience can conveniently be brought home and shared with family, friends and neighbors. This cool and delectable melt-in-your-mouth treat is a perfect complement to warm weather dining - a BBQ homerun!
Currently, Yogurtini Smithtown self-serve has six yogurt pie flavor combinations ready to grab and go:
;)
Oreo Crunch, Birthday Cake Surprise, Sea Salt Caramel Treasure, M&M Crunch, Cookie Dough Decadence and New York Cheese Cake are made with a graham cracker crust and serve six to eight for $20. Custom pies with your choice of Yogurtini yogurt filling and two premium toppings are available for $24 with orders placed at least 1 day in advance. In addition, grab and go mini cones are also available -perfect for outdoor entertaining events.
;)
Lending a hand to the Yogurt Lady of Smithtown is Maureen’s Kitchen. Maureen’s Kitchen is one of the Grand Super Mom businesses of Smithtown. For those of you that have been living under the Smithtown Bull – yes there is a Maureen. Maureen Durnbach and her daughters have been serving breakfast to the Smithtown community for over 27 years. It was Maureen’s Kitchen manager/daughter Christine who opened the door there for Ellen Bedziner’s other new creation, the Yorgurtini tart. Flavor combinations are the same as the yogurt pies but this individual serving item has a shortbread crust. Yogurtini tarts are currently making special appearances on Maureen’s Kitchen Lunch Special Menu but are also available upon request there and at the Yogurtini store on 44 East Main Street in Smithtown.
Another offering on the horizon at Yogurtini - Birthday Parties!
As a special thank you to all of Smithtown and Smithtown moms, Ellen is giving away one Yogurtini pie per week for the next four weeks throughout May. “Like” Yogurtini Smithtown Self-Serve’s facebook page and you will be entered to win a voucher for a Yogurtini yogurt pie to be used anytime between May 1st, 2013 and September 30th 2013. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yogurtini-Smithtown-Self-Serve/533155033367545
What’s Cookin’? - Smithtown would like to give a shout out to the Angel Super Moms of the Smithtown ;)
Children’s Foundation. On June 6th they will be awarding a scholarship to a Smithtown High School senior attending culinary school in honor of the support, hard work and generosity Maureen’s Kitchen has given to the foundation over the past several years.
Go have some Yogurtini yogurt and say, “hi” to Ellen the Yogurt Lady of Smithtown.
Take mom out for a nice breakfast or lunch at Maureen’s Kitchen.
Walk it off by joining the Smithtown Children’s Foundation for the 3rd annual Mike’s Hike 4K at Smithtown High School West on Sunday, June 2, 2013
Registration and details can be found at www.smithtownchildrensfoundation.com
Happy Mother’s Day!