Frozen assets

Don’t have time to plan, shop for and prepare wild salmon cakes, mahi mahi tacos or polenta lasagna for dinner tonight? Now you can leave all the work of a gourmet meal to Grace. Not divine grace but Grace’s Kitchen, a Seattle-based food preparation company offering the latest in frozen, nutritious food for fast-paced lifestyles. Meal kits for two cost under $16 and feature a main course (pork, beef, fish or vegetarian) and side dishes that are free of additives, preservatives, genetically modified organisms, food colorings, flavors and sweeteners. If you can figure out the directions, the meals take about 30 minutes (if you don’t count defrosting and dish washing). But if you can figure out the directions, you can probably figure out that fresh is better. On the other hand, why not keep Grace in the freezer for really bad days? Or, depending on your point of view, really good days, like when you’re tired of drive-through food? Shaw’s began carrying the line last month. For more information, visit www.graceskitchen.com.

Rise and shine

Residents and visitors to Blue Hill will soon have a new destination for European pastries, yummy scones and exotic coffee drinks. The Baker’s Caf? at Tradewinds Marketplace will open Friday, May 26. Operated by Jonathan Bagley, the Baker’s Caf? will serve his Maine Baking Co. products and offer counter and table seating, as well as a cozy lounge area. WiFi will be available for customers. Baker’s Caf? will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Take out and special orders are also available. To place an order or for further information call 374-5400.

A Bugaboo to-do

A Bangor manager took top honors at the Bugaboo Creek Steak House’s annual conference in Orlando. Managing partner Lee Speronis was named the company’s general manager of the year and received the highest guest rating of the year, with the Bangor team scoring an average customer satisfaction score of 95 percent over the last three years. While recognizing Speronis, Bugaboo Creek president Kristi Nyhof said, “A truly invaluable leader is a leader that consistently delivers balanced results.”

Bangor Daily News reporter Alicia Anstead contributed to this column. Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.