Since 1993, minor league baseball has been a summer staple in Fort Wayne, beginning with the Wizards then the TinCaps. The sights and sounds are as much a part of the fun as the game itself. That’s why the team puts in the extra effort on its food. 

“We like to keep it fresh,” TinCaps General Manager and Vice President Mike Nutter said. “We like to keep things changing. There’s a lot new this year.”

The team’s chef has been tasked with crafting new creations and the front office has been actively involved in taste testing to perfect those dishes.

“People want to know if it is of good quality,” Nutter said. “We’ve always received good responses in that, but then you can’t remain stale too long. And so there are 10-12 new items this year.

“We are hearing a lot of feedback,” he added. “While a lot of them love meat, especially red meat, some are going meatless (with a black bean burger).”

When the season opens at Parkview Field on April 11, among the new items you can try are a black bean veggie burger; chili cheese Coney dogs, fries, and nachos; cheese curds; chocolate Bundt cake; loaded mac and cheese; pulled pork; and pulled chicken. There’s also a bourbon slush that will be making its debut. 

And don’t forget the fun when the team becomes the Hoosier State Tenderloins from Aug. 3-6.

There will be 10 Tuesday Family Feast games featuring select concession food items for $2. There are also 10 Wednesday Paws and Claws nights with discounted White Claws, and 11 Thirsty Thursday games featuring $2 domestic draft beers.

Icing for Izaac opens own cafe

Grayce Holloway’s baked goods have been garnering attention for a few years, formerly operating out of Alto Grado on The Landing. 

Following a soft opening over the weekend, Sweets & Drinks near Lima and Cook road at 243 Airport North Office Park held its grand opening Monday, April 3. It’s the latest step for the working mom who found life in baking and creating. 

About five years ago, she learned she was pregnant with twins. As time progressed, an ultrasound discovered complications. Only one of the boys survived, Zaden. Izaac’s legacy continues as the inspiration for her cake design business, Icing for Izaac. It’s a business that she admits rescued her from the depression and powerful emotions of the loss. 

Eventually, Sweets & Drinks will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner including sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. 

The shop is open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 4-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. 

Blessings in a Backpack books celebrity chef

Celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli will treat Fort Wayne in September during the Blessings in a Backpack’s annualfundraiser Celebrity Chef Dinner 23. 

Guarnaschelli has been featured on Food Network’s Iron Chef, Chopped, and Grocery Games, has hosted Supermarket Stakeout, and has a primetime show, Alex Versus America.

Blessings in a Backpack provides meals and programs to students in the Fort Wayne area by providing weekend food while away from school. According to the organization’s website, 70 percent of elementary students in the city face food insecurity. 

Farmers markets prepare to head outside

Indoors or out, it’s always farmers market season in Fort Wayne. 

First, the South Side Farmers Market opens for its 97th year on Saturday, April 8, at 3300 Warsaw St.

Then, the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana’s Farmers Market heads outdoors on Saturday, May 6, at the Historic Barr Street Market on Barr Street, between East Washington Boulevard and Berry Street. The winter market continues indoors through April 29 at The Olde East End Building, 1501 E. Berry St. 

Just south of downtown, Fort Wayne’s Farmers Market is moving their outdoor setting from McCulloch Park to across the street at Electric Works. The Saturday market begins May 20 and runs weekly from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parking in the Electric Works garage is free for the first two hours and dogs are welcome at the market. In the meantime, Parkview Field’s Lincoln Financial Center will house the market through May 13. Beginning June 14, Fort Wayne’s Farmers Market will also host Wednesday night markets in Electric Works’ Dynamo Alley, which will be 4-7 p.m. through the end of summer. 

Off the Eaten Path is the Whatzup weekly column that covers Northeast Indiana’s restaurant and food news. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.