Mary Bilyeu
The Toledo Blade
Toledo, OH, United States
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Past articles by Mary:
A taste of New Orleans / KeyBank presents Kevin Belton in latest Celebrity Chef Series dinner
New Orleans-based chef Kevin Belton’s cooking shows serve up indulgently tempting, lots-of-love-for-Louisiana dishes that are only surpassed by the chef’s ... → Read More
Hungry for hockey: Walleye unveil new menu items
Toledo Walleye fans will get to face off against the team’s new menu items at the home opener Oct. 27 against the Fort Wayne Komets. “We have some fun stuff this year,” said Scott Fuernstein, catering general manager for the Huntington Center. The Fried Macaroni Burger ($8 at Frogtown Burger) is served on a pretzel bun and topped with creamy house-made Ranch dressing, pickles, and bacon macaroni… → Read More
An international feastival at the Islamic Center
We’ve eaten our way around the world, this summer, at Polish picnics, Greek and Hungarian festivals, the Hindu Festival, and so many more. Every weekend, it seems, a different church or club or organization has invited us to fall in love with its favorite foods. This time, let your taste buds travel around the globe while you stay under one tent. The Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, 25877… → Read More
Wine Spectator honors area restaurants
Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards took notice of the wine offerings of several eateries in northwest Ohio. Several local places have been named in the 2018 edition of Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards, which honor those establishments with the best wine programs in the world. The Beirut, 4082 Monroe St.; the Chop House, 300 N. Summit St.; Crush Winebar, 145 Columbus Ave., Sandusky; Element… → Read More
A savory summer reading list
I miss summer reading lists. I know, that makes me sound ... well, just a tad odd. But when I was in elementary school, I always looked forward to the sheets that were handed out at the end of the year. Being very goal-oriented and an obsessive overachiever, I would try to read all the books that had been recommended for my age group. And then some. Now, my summers aren’t devoted to reading. I… → Read More
Tasting Ohio cookbook features recipes from Toledo chefs
“What is Ohio food?” asks Sara Bir in Tasting Ohio: Favorite Recipes from the Buckeye State. The wildly different characteristics of the state’s culinary profile include an abundance of rich farmland, the melting pots of large industrialized cities, a major college town, Amish communities, influences from Appalachia, and immigrants traditionally from Central Europe and the Middle East — though,… → Read More
Family, friends, and food: The ingredients for a perfect summer party
It’s the season for parties. Between graduations, barbecues, wedding showers, poolside gatherings, and other summertime celebrations, chances are good that you’ll soon be cooking for a crowd. Remember, first and foremost, that you don’t have to serve anything fancy or terribly labor-intensive. Family, friends, and other loved ones are the best part of a party, after all. So offer things that are… → Read More
Salvation Army celebrates National Donut Day
Free donuts will once again be available at Levis Square and elsewhere on National Donut Day. The Blade/Jetta Fraser Enlarge | Buy This Image The first Friday in June is always a special event: National Donut Day. And on Friday, the Salvation Army will continue an annual tradition by distributing free doughnuts and coffee to the public. In Toledo, doughnuts will be available at Levis Square, 285… → Read More
Fiesta food for frugal prices at Ventura's Mexican Restaurant
Ventura’s Mexican Restaurant is a local institution and a Toledo favorite. Ask anyone in town, and they’ll talk about the margaritas (which, by the way, are only $2.75 on Margarita Tuesdays). But there are also lots of cheap eats to go with those drinks that fall within our $5 per person budget. Mexi-Skins – an appetizer of three potato skins stuffed with chorizo, refried beans, cheese, and… → Read More
Spring Bake: Celebrate season of renewal with fresh flavors
Just a few months into the new year, it’s time, once again, for holiday baking. Not gingerbread or cookies or pumpkin pie or fruitcake but rather treats that showcase the beautiful ingredients of this season. We’re tired of winter’s citrus and root vegetables while still dreaming of summer’s tomatoes, corn, and peaches. But don’t forget that spring offers its own lovely produce, such as… → Read More
Dishes to mark Nowruz, the Persian new year
“The 21st of March is the beginning of the new year,” said Mohcen Shahbaz, an Iranian doctoral candidate in electrical engineering at the University of Toledo. That particular date will usher in Nowruz [noh-ROOZ], commonly known as the Persian new year, which literally translates to “new day.” It is a celebration of beginnings and of spring and has roots in Zoroastrianism dating back more than… → Read More
Chili showdown at Stranahan helps support Mobile Meals
The Mobile Meals Chili Cook-off starts at noon Saturday at the Stranahan Theater and Great Hall. It’s almost time for one of the year’s best family-friendly events: the 26th annual Mobile Meals Chili Cook-off noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Stranahan Theater and Great Hall, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. Carnivores, omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans will all find lots of food and fun. More than 20… → Read More
Fund-raiser to help woman's recovery
Rachel Noleff, 31, fell down a flight of stairs on the evening of Jan. 19. Unfortunately, medical attention wasn’t sought for her immediately, when it was critically important. The next morning, Rachel was found unconscious and rushed to the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio hospital, where it was determined that she’d suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and… → Read More
For the Ides of March, dig in to these ancient Roman dishes
“Beware the ides of March” warned the soothsayer in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar — and with good reason. Gaius Julius Caesar, dictator for life, was increasingly feared by those who were wary of his growing and excessive powers. He was assassinated by conspiring senators on March 15, 44 B.C. To mark the Ides of March — the day of the new year’s first full moon on early Roman calendars —… → Read More
Get serious about cereal as an ingredient
Cereal — it’s not just for breakfast anymore. You already use it when making Rice Krispies treats. There’s also savory Chex Mix and its sweet counterpart, affectionately known as Puppy Chow. Corn Flakes can be crushed and used as a coating for chicken or a topping for apple crisp or find their way into vividly green, marshmallowy holiday wreath confections decorated with Red Hot candies and… → Read More
Fish frys are a reason to celebrate
The weeks leading up to Christmas are known as the holiday season. It’s debatable whether this starts at Thanksgiving, at Halloween, or — as it often seems with retailers bringing in festively themed merchandise and radio stations playing “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” earlier and earlier each year — at the Fourth of July. The weeks leading up to Easter ... well, technically that’s Lent.… → Read More
Simple lunch-time staple is helping feed Toledo's hungry
March 1 is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day, an occasion for celebration. Frankly, many of us don’t even need a special day to celebrate it. Our affection for peanut butter is timeless, ageless, and boundless. It’s hard to think of a group that embraces peanut butter as much as Food For Thought does. This organization, which makes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every Friday night to… → Read More
Restaurant Week benefits Leadership Toledo programs
Restaurant Week Toledo — everyone’s favorite food fest — is almost here. It starts on Monday and runs through March 4. “It’s such fun,” said Anna Toney, executive director of Leadership Toledo, which presents the event and benefits from it. Go out to eat at a participating restaurant (a favorite place, one you’ve been wanting to try, or all of the above), select from the special RWT menu being… → Read More
Restaurant Week benefits Leadership Toledo programs
Restaurant Week Toledo — everyone’s favorite food fest — is almost here. It starts on Monday and runs through March 4. “It’s such fun,” said Anna Toney, executive director of Leadership Toledo, which presents the event and benefits from it. Go out to eat at a participating restaurant (a favorite place, one you’ve been wanting to try, or all of the above), select from the special RWT menu being… → Read More
Cheap Eats: Bedford Diner offers hearty food and friendly faces
Whether you want breakfast (in the morning or for dinner), a midday meal, supper, or snacks, the Bedford Diner’s extensive menu offers lots of fabulous frugal finds that fall within our $5 per person Cheap Eats budget. Start with the award-winning chili, which comes served in a cup or a bowl ($2.99 or $3.99, respectively). But why settle for that when you can glam it up? Enhance a plate of plain… → Read More