Urban Butcher’s Raynold Mendizabal wins chef of the year
Raynold Mendizabal, chef and owner of the Silver Spring restaurant and meat shop Urban Butcher, was named the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s chef of the year at an event Sunday in Baltimore. Mendizabal, who has been at the helm of the restaurant since opening it in 2013, beat out Chris Amendola of Baltimore’s Waterfront Kitchen; Ted Stelzenmuller of Jack’s Bistro in Baltimore; Michel Tersiguel of Tersiguel’s in Ellicott City; and Stephanie Wilson of Vintage in New Market to win the award. The winner was chosen by the public through an online vote.
The Restaurant Association of Maryland, which hosted the industry awards for the 62nd year, is a trade group with about 2,000 member restaurants in the state that handles government affairs and offers networking and legal assistance to its members.
Two Rockville farmers markets open this month
The farmers market in front of Dawson’s Market at Rockville Town Square that opened Wednesday is the first of two Rockville farmers markets opening this month. The market outside of Dawson’s is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 28. This is the second year Dawson’s is hosting the market and vendors signed up for the season include Scenic View Orchards, Canela Bakery, Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm, Holy Crepes and Southern Cross Bakery. Nearby, the City of Rockville’s farmers market will open May 14. The market at Rockville Town Center—at the corner of Route 28 and Monroe Street—runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays until Nov. 19. Participating vendors this year include Garden Path Farms, Great Harvest Bread Co., Praline Bakery, Brookeville Beer Farm and Elk Run Vineyards.
New bubble tea spot coming to Ellsworth Place
The bubble tea store Kung Fu Tea is the latest entry to the growing lineup of new stores and restaurants at the renovated Ellsworth Place in downtown Silver Spring. Kung Fu Tea will occupy a second-floor location at the mall and plans to open in late summer or early fall, according to Petrie Richardson Ventures, the developer of Ellsworth Place. The bubble tea store has three other locations in Maryland—in College Park, Towson and Ellicott City—and offers slushies and coffee in addition to bubble, milk and green teas.
