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Festival of Trees at Southlake Central Market

Kick off the holiday season at the 2009 Festival of Trees and create a new and lasting family tradition!

The members of the Greater Southlake Women’s Society are proud to announce the 2nd Annual Festival of Trees. This event will showcase a spectacular display of Christmas trees and other holiday items including wreaths, tabletop décor and unique items — all of which will be available for purchase during the event. Also on display will be the official 2009 Festival of Trees artwork by internationally renowned and local artist Trish Biddle.

The Gallery of Trees will serve as a backdrop for an array of events for the entire community, culminating with the City of Southlake and Southlake Town Square’s Tree-lighting Event on Saturday, November 20.

Families from near and far will enjoy an array of festivities and create a heart-warming and memorable holiday experience during this exciting season of giving.

Along with the tree lighting event at Southlake Town Square, the Greater Southlake Women’s Society are pleased to present Breakfast with Santa and Radio Disney on Saturday, November 21 from 9-11 am and Gallery Open House on Saturday, November 21 from 1-4 pm & Sunday, November 22 from 12-3 pm.

Sure to delight children young and old, the Breakfast with Santa will certainly become a cherished holiday tradition for the entire family. In addition to photo opportunities with Santa, Radio Disney will also be there with activities designed to entertain and awe the children amid the spectacular holiday setting. Breakfast Tickets are $20 per child (children under 6 months are free) and $10 per adult.

And then stroll through the Ballroom inside the Hilton Hotel in Southlake Town Square and marvel at the stunning collection of Christmas décor for the Gallery Open House. Each item in the Gallery will be available for purchase during the Festival of Trees, just in time for your holiday parties. This dazzling display is certain to make your family’s spirits bright this holiday season. Gallery Open House admission is $5 for ages 12+, $1 for those under 12.

Seating is limited for both events, so stop by Southlake Central Market to purchase your tickets (checks only, please.)

Proceeds from this year’s Festival of Trees will benefit area charities selected by the Greater Southlake Women’s Society. Over $80,000 is expected to be allocated to the following organizations: Battered Women Foundation, Community Enrichment Center Open Arms, Cook Children’s Healthcare System , Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, GSWS Scholarship awarded to Carroll Senior High School Female, Metroport Meals On Wheels, PKD Foundation (Polycystic Kidney Disease), Rocky Top Therapy Center, Southlake Safety Town, Summer Santa and Young Artists of Texas (YAT) Gallery. For more information on the 2009 Festival of Trees beneficiaries, click here.

Holiday drinks are here at CM Fort Worth

The Central Market Fort Worth Coffee Bar is stirring up delicious deals on seasonal drinks. We're featuring an exclusive drink each week from now through December 27th, so stop by our coffee bar this holiday season and try our new Holiday Drink Specials. They're even on sale – only $1.99 for a large 16 oz. gourmet beverage. At that price, you'll have to try every single one!

November 2-8
Pumpkin Pie Latte
Pumpkin Spice syrup and Espresso blended with Steamed Milk, topped with Whipped Cream and Nutmeg.

November 9-15
Caramel Apple Latte
Caramel syrup, Apple syrup and Espresso, blended with Steamed Milk, topped with Whipped Cream and drizzled with Caramel Sauce.

November 16-22
White Chocolate Cranberry Latte
White Chocolate sauce and Cranberry syrup blended with Espresso and Steamed Milk, topped with Whipped Cream.

November 23-29
Apple Pie Cider
Apple Cider and Caramel syrup with a dash of Cinnamon, topped with Whipped Cream and drizzled with Caramel.

November 30-December 6
Egg Nog Latte
Steamed Egg Nog blended with Espresso and topped with Whipped Cream and Nutmeg.

December 7-13
Frosted Gingerbread Latte
Gingerbread syrup, Vanilla syrup and Espresso blended with Steamed Milk and topped with Whipped Cream.

December 14-20
Gourmet Cocoa
Gourmet Hot Cocoa with your choice of Peppermint or Cinnamon syrup, topped with Whipped Cream.

December 21-27
Peppermint Mocha
Peppermint syrup and Chocolate sauce blended with Espresso and Steamed Milk, topped with Whipped Cream.

Honeycore Fujis: Ugly Apple, Serious Flavor!

Sometimes, the line between favorable and unfavorable traits in a piece of fruit gets a bit blurry. Honeycore is a great example of this.

When apples, especially Fujis, have a “good year”, the starches in the center convert to sugars and the flavor concentrates, leading to an amber-brown color. Americans look at this as off-putting, and agriculturalists generally refer to it as “watercore.” The Japanese, on the other hand, have figured out that this ugly flesh simply tastes better; affectionately naming it Mitsu, or “honeycore,” and charging a premium for apples that have it!

Our citrus growers in Madera County, California have set out to create Fuji apples with exactly this characteristic. Grown on a higher elevated portion of land typically ideal for peaches and grapes, these fruit are left on the tree longer than most commercial apples to reach their peak sugar content. These apples will not win any beauty contests; apples need cold nights to get the striking colors typical for apples from New York or Washington. This being said, they are most likely the sweetest apples that we will carry all year!

The local bear and deer have taken a liking to this fruit, so supplies are extremely limited. Give these guys a shot if you’re in this week, you’ll be glad you did!

Free Spanish Wine Tasting at Westgate

Join us for a tasty treat at the Westgate Wine Experience! Special guest David Geary from Axial wines will be here to offer a sampling of Spanish wines from his portfolio on Friday, October 30, from 4-7 p.m.

David Geary is the National Sales Manager for Axial wines, and is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about his Spanish wine portfolio. Stop by and sample Care Cabernet/Syrah/Tempranillo blend, Vallobera Spanish Demon Tempranillo (perfect for Halloween), Otto Bestue Santa Sabina Cabernet/Tempranillo blend and Penelope Sanchez Garnacha/Syrah blend. All wines are sure to surprise and delight, so stop by, sample and take this free opportunity to learn more about these amazing Spanish wines!

Minnesota Honeycrisps Are In Full Swing

As an apple variety, Honeycrisps are something of an oddball. Their parentage is foggy: originally thought to be a cross of the Macoun and Honeygold, genetic testing suggests that Honeycrisps contain genetic material from neither variety.

They were also specifically developed for growing in Minnesota, a state with harsh winters and atypical soil that are not ideal for most traditional apple varieties. This being said, Honeycrisps really seem to shine when grown in their “native” region. The texture has more snap, the juice is juicier and the taste is much more balanced. Last year, we were denied their amazing flavor due to a spring hail storm, and this year, we are proud to have Pepin Heights Honeycrisps back in house!

Pepin Heights, a small orchard near Lake City, Minnesota was one of the first to grow Honeycrisps, and still grows the best in our opinion. Since 1949, they have planted some of our most intriguing varieties such as the spicy Fireside and brand new SweeTango. Their location off of the upper Mississippi river provides cool nights and fertile soil perfect for growing these phenomenal apples.

Like most great things, Minnesota honeycrisps will not be around for long, generally ending in late December. Be sure to give them a try next time you’re in!

Buddha's Hand Citrons In Season

Buddha’s Hand citrons are now available, and should continue to be in stock until February.

This ancient variety of citrus (older than oranges, grapefruit, or lemons) has been a popular spiritual offering, luck charm, and gift in Asian cultures for centuries, and has been one of our strangest offerings for years.

From a culinary perspective, use of Buddha’s Hands is somewhat limited; they often contain nothing but white pith inside. This pith, unlike what you might see on grapefruit or lemons, is not bitter, which does allow for some interesting opportunities. Buddha’s Hand is a great seasoning for fish and a solid candidate for candying. Their zest has also have found their way into several high-end cocktail recipes, mainly as a showpiece.

The real appeal for Buddha’s Hand is its strangely familiar and mild lemon scent. They can last for almost two weeks at room temperature, and their smell will slowly fill a room. Our floral departments also love to incorporate them into their designs.

Check these out next time you're in!

Worlds #1 Apple Now Available

Sekai-Ichi, the world’s largest apples, are now available for a limited time in our produce department. Capable of growing up to eight inches in diameter, their name translates to “World’s #1.” This variety from Aomori, Japan (a region known for its meticulous apple farming) was developed in 1974 as a cross between the traditional Red and Golden Delicious varieties. Their flavor is mild and sweet, similar to a Red Delicious without the bitterness and astringency. Although these are massive apples, we find they taste best in a smaller size…still as large as a softball!

GIANT Pumpkin Arrives at Westgate in Austin

Think you've got the brain power to guess the weight of this monster gourd? Do it (or at least get close) and you could win a $300 Central Market Shopping Spree!

Come see, come gawk, come guess the weight of our GIANT pumpkin!

The journey was long for this big orange fella, but he's finally landed in Texas! Feel free to take a picture hugged up to this guy.

Each guess is just $1 and all proceeds are benefitting the Capital Area Food Bank.

Look for it between the Market and Seafood counters. Stand back, size it up and place your guess and dollar in the box next to the pumpkin!

The customer with the exact guess (or whomever is closest) wins a $300 Central Market Thanksgiving shopping spree!

The CAFB gets much needed help and you'll have a "Great Pumpkin" photo!

Ultimate Thanksgiving Cooking Demo

It's THE Ultimate Thanksgiving Cooking Demo!

Join Central Market and St. David's Medical Center on Thursday, November 5th at the Central Market NORTH LAMAR in AUSTIN for a healthy Thanksgiving feast and cooking demonstration. Join us at the CHASCO Family YMCA in Round Rock from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and:

• Learn how to prepare a healthier holiday meal from one of Central Market's top chefs
• Take home the recipes
• Enjoy a great Thanksgiving meal
• Get useful travel fitness tips from a YMCA personal trainer

Make your reservations today by calling 512-341-6135 or stop by the CHASCO Family YMCA.

Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009

Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Cost: $30 per person or $50 per couple

Elie Krieger coming to Texas Book Festival and Houston Central Market

Eating smart and eating healthy, celebrating taste and style; all things we aspire to these days. (And don’t forget to make it simple and easy.) Sound like a dream come true? It can be, when you visit Houston Central Market and meet Food Network star Ellie Krieger!

You can meet her in the Cook Book Tent , sponsored by Central Market, at the Texas Book Festival in Austin, held on the state capitol grounds the last weekend in October.

For Houston shoppers, Ellie Krieger will be appearing at Houston Central Market from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on Nov.2, including demonstrating one or two of her fantastic recipes and then signing copies of her new book. So Easy: Luscious Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Week (John Wiley & Sons, $29.95) provides 150 easy-to-prepare recipes, many of which can be made in less than 30 minutes.

At the Houston book signing, we will be offering samples of Ellie’s Aromatic Beef and Butternut Squash Stew and her to-die-for Cherry-Almond Chocolate Cluster. Mark your calendar and arrive early for this must-taste event at Houston Central Market. Eat healthy, celebrate food and celebrate life! 4:00-5:30 p.m., Nov. 2^nd, see you there!

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Posts categorized 'CM News'

Festival of Trees at Southlake Central Market

Holiday drinks are here at CM Fort Worth

Honeycore Fujis: Ugly Apple, Serious Flavor!

Free Spanish Wine Tasting at Westgate

Minnesota Honeycrisps Are In Full Swing

Buddha's Hand Citrons In Season

Worlds #1 Apple Now Available

GIANT Pumpkin Arrives at Westgate in Austin

Ultimate Thanksgiving Cooking Demo

It's THE Ultimate Thanksgiving Cooking Demo!

Elie Krieger coming to Texas Book Festival and Houston Central Market

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