![]() ![]() Marc Garofoli added, “The folks in Geauga County are truly salt of the earth.The data relating to real estate on this website derive in part from the Internet Data Exchange program. “The success we are having is unbelievable. “I am in shock, myself,” Gretchen Garofoli said of the surprise Food Network opportunity. “The only thing we think might change is that we will dedicate ourselves even more to the community, whether through hiring more local employees or purchasing even more of our product locally,” Marc Garofoli said, adding they also plan to contribute more to local causes. He then reflected on life after being featured on the Food Network. “We are currently speaking with potential investors to begin our expansion.” “Right now we own just one, although we are looking to add more locations now that this theme has proven so successful,” Marc Garofoli said. Symon’s next restaurant project, Mabel’s BBQ, on East 4th Street, Cleveland, near one of his other restaurant’s, Lola’s, is slated to open this summer with a “Coming Soon” sign adorning the window. ![]() The restaurant bills itself as “southern comfort food sure to satisfy any appetite,”?with recipes that have strong roots in the south and a tradition of BBQ and soul food. Marc Garofoli said all of their recipes were developed by the couple, with Matuschek helping out with new product development and creation of daily specials. I just met him five minutes ago,” Gretchen Garofoli said. Gretchen Garofoli soon whisked by, all smiles, as the kitchen door shut behind her where there were packed tables of patrons and sweet smell of barbecue. “We affectionately call him ‘Chef Chooch,'” Marc Garofoli added. “It’s been a hectic week, “said Executive Chef Mike Matuschek, while hustling together ingredients for a smoked chorizo meatloaf for the camera. “Oak and Embers is the culmination of years of stopping at unfamiliar restaurants in unfamiliar places where we’ve always asked a lot of questions.” “Gretchen and I have always enjoyed experimenting with different foods, although we’ve both always loved barbecue,” Marc Garofoli said. This is their first restaurant in Geauga County, with six successful restaurants in downtown Cleveland, including Goodfellers and McCarthy’s. They were born and raised in Ohio, but have traveled extensively in the south, particularly North and South Carolina. The couple moved a few years ago to Newbury Township. Then the producers came out to talk with Gretchen (Garofoli’s wife and proprietor) and me and they loved our story - from the travelling around to different restaurants to the story of the fire and the rebuilding - then they ate the food and they were thoroughly convinced. “We think that was the initial connection. “It’s our understanding that Chef Symon wanted to feature some Cleveland restaurants in a new show and he is a huge fan of all of our specialties - barbecue, bourbon, beer,” Garofoli said. It is the Food Network’s policy to remain silent on any plans related to new programming on the network before it officially launches, with contractual clauses containing stiff penalties for disclosing specifics by the network with shows in production remaining in place. Nate Meyer, a Food Network producer, orchestrated production amid his team in the Oak and Embers’s kitchen, but could not confirm specifics. We’ve worked many years to create an excellent product and our product is, indeed, fabulous.” “We are thrilled but also feel that the honor is well-deserved. ![]() ![]() “Of course, as a longtime proprietor of restaurants, being selected to appear on the Food Network is a dream come true,” said Marc Garofoli, owner of Oak and Embers. The series takes the chef on a summer road trip through Cleveland and other cities, tasting the best of American classics - burgers and BBQ. Oak and Embers Tavern Smoke-house Barbecue will be one of the restaurants featured in a new Food Network series hosted by Symon called “Burger, Brew & Q,” which is likely to debut in July. Food Network crews quietly shined the spotlight recently on a rising star restaurant in Chester Township with a hush hush visit from Cleveland’s own Iron Chef Michael Symon. ![]()
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