Holiday Miracle – a new Lovin’cup Tradition

lovincup / March 29, 2013

Lovin’ Cup Gives Children Holiday Miracle

Local restaurant donates to children in need with fundraiser.

Rochester, NY, March 15, 2013 –(PR.com)– Miracles do exist thanks to the Lovin’ Cup Holiday Miracle fundraiser. The event raised nearly $3,000, which will be equally split among five children in need who submitted their personal stories to the Henrietta restaurant.

Originally, organizers had planned to select just one child for the benefit, but when the stories began to arrive, each was more touching than the last prompting Lovin’ Cup to include each of the five children in the fundraiser. The stories ranged from a child trying to help feed children in Africa, to a young girl who had recently been diagnosed with a rare terminal disease, the only case of its kind in the state of New York, according to Leslie Zinck, Lovin’ Cup’s director of business development and marketing.

“Each of these children had a story we just couldn’t say no to,” said Zinck. “We’re very proud to say we donated more than $500 to each child selected for our Holiday Miracle. We’re so thankful to everyone who turned out and helped us raise money for these incredible kids. ”

The event featured four live bands, prize raffles, food and drink specials and donations at the door from those in attendance. Lovin’ Cup hopes to hold another Holiday Miracle fundraiser next year for other children in need.

http://www.pr.com/press-release/478742

Lovin’ Cup Idol 2013

lovincup / February 27, 2013

Hello all, It’s Stephanie the blogger for Lovin’ Cup Idol, coming to get you up to date on the competition. So far we’ve gone through 4 weeks of auditions (and about 80 audition-ers), 2 weeks of a singer-songwriter theme (our Top 16), Billy Joel/ Elton John theme week (Top 9), and Country Week (Top 6)! It’s been quite the busy time. I have been following the competition, interviewing contestants, sitting in on rehearsals and writing about the performances every week!

Our Top 16 was filled with wonderful contestants including: Christina Dipilato, Jessica Trimaldi, Justin Palardy, Tylone Duttant, Hodari Pryce, Matthew Corey, Joe Percy, Becca Nyerges, Carrie Feder, Alexis Pickuet, Kenny James, Leecy Momano, Marc Mcneil, Dan Hart, Carlie Capuano and Bree Draper!

The next week we narrowed it down to a Top 10, which turned into a Top 9! The contestants performed some tunes from either Billy Joel or Elton John. It was a fantastic evening with some catchy music and some stellar performances. Notably Kenny tore down the house with his rendition of Billy Joel’s “River of Dreams”. The Top 9 were: Carlie Capuano, Marc McNeil, Leecy Momano, Joe Percy, Bree Draper, Kenny James, Becca Nyerges, Alexis Pickuet, and Christina Dipilato!

So the difficult decisions had to come when the judges narrowed down the Top 9 into a Top 6 that sang country. Those who performed were: Joe Percy, Leecy Momano, Kenny James, Becca Nyerges, Carlie Capuano and Christinia Dipilato. It was a fun country night, with the contestants choosing some interesting songs! I throughly enjoyed watching them all. In the middle of the whole thing Lovin’ Cup had a fire drill, which definitely made the night more exciting!

This week we have narrowed the competitors down to 5! This Monday they will perform a song from both Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. The Top 5 are: Joe Percy, Christina Dipilato, Kenny James, Becca Nyerges and Carlie Capuano!

I hope to see some of you this week at the competition, it goes on every single Monday at Lovin’ Cup! The schedule for the next couple weeks is as follows:

3/4 – Michael Jackson/Stevie Wonder week – Javian Rafus, one of the founders of Lovin’cup Idol and our very own Randy and Tommy Mule from 96.5 “The Breakroom”

3/11- Classic Rock/Top 40 – The fabulous Megan Carter from 98 PXY and Chris Crowley from 96.5 WCMF

3/18 – The Final Three!!!! Duet Week! The Famous Brother Wease from 95.1 “The Brew” and Elvio Fernandes, Rochester Native, and singer and keyboardist of “Daughtry”

3/25 – Finale – Elvio Fernandes – Rochester Native, and singer and keyboardist of “Daughtry”

Come on out and have a drink and some dinner and enjoy the wonderful entertainment as well as the amazing atmosphere that Lovin’ Cup brings!

Cheers,

Stephanie Burtch

Lovin’cup adding to our dinner options!

lovincup / February 25, 2013

Lovin’ Cup Bistro to revamp menu

Written by William Hirsh

Feb. 24

democratandchronicle.com

Lovin’ Cup Bistro and Brews in Henrietta. / WILLIAM HIRSH

Inside Lovin’ Cup

The popular food and entertainment venue in Henrietta’s Park Point Plaza currently offers soups, salads, paninis, burgers and other sandwiches, including vegetarian options, in the bistro and as catered meals. Many menu items have names referring to music, such as the Sgt. Pepper turkey sandwich and the Bell Bottom Blues burger.

The most popular items are burgers and paninis, such as “I’m Hot for Teacher,” a grilled chicken pesto panini, said co-owner Leslie Zinck, the director

of concept and business development.The new menu will jazz up the current mainstay items. In addition, “We’re working on some new menu items like entrées that are European-inspired,” Zinck said. A foretaste of these new items was a schnitzel served during Lovin’ Cup’s Oktoberfest, which will be on the menu sometime soon.

Joe Leonardo, who with mom

Linda provides bread to Lovin’ Cup, says a feeling of “local camaraderie” brings him to the restaurant outside work hours.“There definitely is a sense of family with the owners and customers,” said waitress Pauline Coles, 28, of Rochester, who has worked at Lovin’ Cup since June 2011. “I like to listen to the music and bands here.”

Music is played throughout the bistro, with a variety of live entertainment nightly.

Besides its food, the bistro serves more than 50 bottled beers, nearly 20 wines and cocktails.

Lovin’ Cup hosts monthly beer tastings and is planning a release party for new house beers on March 20. More than just a tasting event, the party will include festivities and challenges such as a team race to see who can kick down a keg first.

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Who needs a miracle? These kids do:

lovincup / January 17, 2013

Lovin’ Cup’s ‘Holiday Miracle’ fundraiser benefits local children in need

By Staff reports Messenger Post Posted Jan 16, 2013 @ 03:20 PM
Rochester, N.Y. —

For families in need, the holidays can sometimes be a reminder of what they don’t have.
It was that thought that spurred Lovin‘ Cup, a Henrietta restaurant and bar, to organize the Lovin’ Cup’s Holiday Miracle, fundraiser to benefit local children in need of assistance.The fundraiser is this Sunday, Jan. 20, from 2 to 10 p.m. at the restaurant, 300 Park Point Dr. Lovin’ Cup selected five children as the recipients of the charity event after putting out a call for stories from those in need, said Leslie Zinck, Lovin’ Cup’s director of business development and marketing.
“We really just put it out there in a simple manner” Zinck said. “Basically, ‘do you know someone who is need of a holiday miracle?’ – and we decided that we would make decisions as we received stories.”
Those decisions proved harder to make than she expected, as stories arrived of children with inoperable brain tumors, degenerative neural diseases, and one little girl who was recently stricken with a rare terminal disease which is the only case of its kind in the state of New York.

“We were so inspired by each of their stories, so we included all of them,” Zinck said.
Ashley Nagel is one of the five inspiring children benefiting from the event. At the age of 15 months,

Ashley was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor called a Pontine Glioma. Six weeks of daily radiation and more than a year of chemotherapy treatments seemed to shrink Ashley’s tumor, and doctors, performing quarterly MRI scans, believed it was dead. However, recently the tumor has become active again and started growing at an alarming rate. Ashley is again receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but doctors say there is no cure and treatment will not fully stop the tumor’s growth.

Wendy Nagel, Ashley’s mother, said Lovin’ Cup’s Holiday Miracle is a blessing for the family as medical bills continue to arrive in the mail.“It kind of gives us some financial security so when I do have to be out of work and not getting paid, at least we can still live where we’re living and hopefully pay the bills,” she said. “Also it gives me more time to spend with Ashley and give her the opportunity to do things that she wants to do, which we couldn’t afford to give her at this point in time.”
The full list of children benefiting from the Lovin’ Cup Holiday Miracle and their stories can be found at the Lovin Cup blog. Organizers hope to raise at least $5,000 to be split equally among the five children.
Lovin’ Cup will accept donations at the door the day of the event, offer beer and food specials, and hold a number of prize raffles. Four live bands will provide music throughout the night and several guest emcees will also join in the party.

To donate before the event, visit this indiegogo fundraiser and click on the “contribute now” button. Donors at the $25 level will receive a t-shirt emblazoned with the Lovin’ Cup Holiday Miracle logo and those at the $60 level will receive a hoodie with the same.

Q and A with 3HB – Geoff Dale!

lovincup / January 14, 2013

Q and A with Three Heads’ Geoff Dale

Written by Bryan Clutz and Adam Travis

Jan. 10

Three Heads Brewing partners, Todd Dirrigl, Dan Nothnagle and Geoff Dale, left to right, holding one of their beers, The Kind IPA. / JAY CAPERS /File photo

We love that Rochester is coming into its own as a well-respected beer city. And you’d be hard pressed to find a bigger fan of this fact that Geoff Dale from Three Heads Brewing, one of the many Rochester-born craft beer offerings.

We recently sat down with Dale for a great conversation about Three Heads’ two-year anniversary celebration at Homegrown, from noon Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday at Lovin’ Cup,

Park Point Drive near Rochester Institute of Technology in Henrietta. We also touched on a lot of points about how beer and Rochester, when mixed together, form a great combination.Q. Geoff! Good to see you. Update us on the brewer’s perspective on beer in Rochester.

A. This is a good time to be a fan of beer in Rochester. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it were not for the work of the guys who have sort of laid the groundwork for beer in Rochester.

There’s also a lot of places around town that will give local beer that’s quality a chance. I like to think that we’re making a quality local beer. That’s what we shoot for.

And it’s true that all the brewers in Rochester get along. We all bust each other’s chops. We trade numbers and help each other out if someone wants to get a tap at a certain place. We all want each other to succeed and continue to do better, but in order to do that, we challenge and push each other. To me, if I’m making a good enough product, it’s going to sell and we don’t have to worry about competition. People sometimes expect there to be competition, but it’s all tying into the community.

Q. Speaking of community, tell us about the Homegrown celebration.

A. Homegrown is technically our anniversary party, but it really is a celebration of Rochester. I love this city. I was born and raised here. And this celebration is about everything that’s Rochester-made.

In fact, that’s the only beer you will be able to get at the celebration. There’s enough great local beer here, you don’t need to order anything else. There’s such good variety among all the brewers because we all do a signature flavor.

Homegrown will have three simple ingredients: beer, music and food. Beer really does bring people together. I bet you can’t name one concert you’ve been to where you didn’t have a beer. (He was right; we couldn’t.)

We thought last year that maybe 400 people would show up. Nope, 1,300 people came. Hopefully we can beat that number this year since the celebration goes on all day. This year’s Homegrown also has a great music line up with seven bands.

Our goal is to show people that Rochester is pretty awesome. It’s about breaking even and creating a scene.

Q. What about the plans for Three Heads?

A. As far as our plans for this year, we’re adding around five more states we distribute to very soon, bringing our distribution to 25 states and mostly to key beer bars. By the end of this year, if everything falls right, that’s when we put the shovel in the ground to build our own brewery.

Q. You do a lot of testing, sometimes in your own kitchen, of your beers before they go to production. How close is the original recipe to what customers pick up on the shelves?

A. I love music, and I’ll use this analogy: I think the homebrewed versions are a lot like a live show, where sometimes the sound gets a little bit more muddled. I think that when you home brew, sometimes you don’t have absolute control, so sometimes the flavors are a little off.

Picking up a beer on the shelves, it’s almost like it has a little bit of a shine and it snaps. It’s a lot more defined in the final recipe. It really comes down to control, and you have that in the brewery. Just like a music studio, you can tweak that easily in and during production.

Q. You guys were one of Rochester Real Beer Week’s biggest advocates last year. Are you happy with last year’s event, and the potential for it to grow?

A. Last year, I went to between 20 and 25 different beer festivals. The Rochester Real Beer Week festival was the best one I went to. Every brewery is represented by a real representative, and every brewery brings its “A” game.

As a guy who grew up in this town, it’s just really cool to see what it has become. It’s also a great event because no one cuts corners. The goal isn’t to overcharge the customers in order to churn a huge profit. It’s to put on a great show. And every person I’ve talked to has raved about how good it was. To be honest, the traditional beer fest is dead. What makes this work is it’s a block party with a band playing and the brewery representatives engage with people to learn about what styles they like.

Recipients for Lovin’ Cup Holiday Miracle

lovincup / December 6, 2012

The recipients have been picked for the Lovin’ Cup Holiday Miracle, all of the stories warmed our hearts and we couldn’t just pick one, so now we have five great people we would love to give a miracle too. Here are the people the benefit will go for and their stories:

Patrick Carr: Patrick is a lovable third grade boy who loves playing hockey and playing with his younger brother Gavin. He enjoys playing outside and doing things most third-graders enjoy! This becomes difficult though because Patrick, is unlike many third graders. Patrick had been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma (a deadly cancer) when he was only four years old. He has been in remission three times for this disease, but it has now overcome him once again. Patrick has been a champion going through all of the treatments, can continues to fight! This will help him and his family pay for medical bills and other related costs!

Grace Golia: Grace is a 9 year old with a heart of gold and a compassion for children that are less fortunate. Grace, being the compassionate soul that she is came up with the idea that she wanted to send orphans in Africa basic items such as school supplies, clothes, and other such things. She got more of an opportunity to help when family friends Elizabeth Schirmer and Patrick Shores took a trip and saw the needs of orphans and other children in Kenya. Grace has teamed up with them and been doing fundraisers to purchase and send over necessary items to Africa. This money will help her continue the foundation she has already built!

Alisiya Hassam: Alisiya is a 9 year old girl, who since she could talk has wanted to be a model or actress. She has been enamored with the experiences that modeling and acting can bring into her life, and has been working very hard to make her dream come to fruition. She has had the opportunity to compete for a contract by working with several different agents. This money will help pay for classes and a portfolio to help her gain a contract and achieve her life-long dream.

Ashley Nagel: Ashley just turned 4 years old, but when she was 15 months old (February 2010) she was diagnosed with a brain tumor called Pontine Glioma. The typical life span of a child diagnosed with this tumor is 30 months, but because of her age she responded very well to treatment and the tumor became inactive. She got to go to Disney due to the Make- A- Wish Foundation, and everyone thought that she was in the clear. In October the tumor came back and will now be terminal. The family does not know how long they will have with her, but she has lost the ability to walk due to the tumor and is getting treatment to slow the tumors growth and make her time left more enjoyable. The money will help with medical treatments but will also make it possible for her parents to take the time off work they need to take care of her full time.

Stella Gagliano: Stella just turned 2 years old November 16 but suffers from Gaucher’s Type 2, a terminal genetic disorder that she was diagnosed with when she was 6 months old. This disease makes it so that she lacks the enzyme that helps break down fat, leaving it to build up in her organs. It also affects her brain greatly and because of the severity she must have many treatments including a very expensive weekly enzyme replacement treatment which does not even help the neurological side of her disease. Her mom,Kara had to quit her job so she could stay with her full time. This money will help them pay for the medical treatments and help so that Kara can stay with her full time.

We love the Seneca Park Zoo!

lovincup / November 6, 2012

We are selling 2012 Seneca Park Zoo Calendars! All proceeds go directly to the zoo and all the beautiful animals! Making a great holiday gift and going to a great organization, get over to lovin’cup an buy one!

Blog entry Posted by Seneca Park Zoo • November 2, 2012 • 11:11 am

2013 Seneca Park Zoo Calendar, $12.95 each

Life can be a Zoo, so keep track of it with a 2013 Seneca Park Zoo Calendar.

We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of these beautiful calendars to our own ZooShop, as well as to all Greater Rochester Wegmans locations, Lovin’ Cup Bistro & Brews, Parkleigh and Craft Company. They are on sale for just $12.95 each and feature stunning action and still photos of our animals from talented local photographers. Remain on top of upcoming Zoo events while also being in the know of special admission days throughout the year (free youth admission with paid adult admission). Thanks to fantastic support from local businesses like Mann’s Jewelers, The Finishing Touch Custom Framing, Wegmans and more, you’ll enjoy valuable coupons that are included with each calendar purchase, too!

Are you a Seneca Park Zoo member? Take advantage of that – members may purchase calendars for $9.95 (offer valid only on grounds at the ZooShop).

An added bonus to your calendar purchase – ALL proceeds will go right back to your Zoo, which is made possible thanks to our sponsors: Xceed Financial Credit Union, Canfield & Tack, Wegmans, Entercom and The Finishing Touch Custom Framing.

And the award goes to…our Papa Bear!!!!

lovincup / October 10, 2012

Our business partner, our leader and friend, John Nichols, was recognized last Wednesday as Rochester’s Business person of the year. It’s very well-deserved on his part, as he is constantly striving to be the best that he can be – and pushing each of us to do the same. We want to take time to congratulate our “Papa Bear” – an endearing nickname given by us “Lovin’ Cuppers” – and let him now how proud we are of him.

- Leslie and company

For those of you who are not familiar with this award, here is a write up by the Rochester Business Journal:

The Small Business Council of Rochester has honored two business owners as Business Persons of the Year at its annual awards ceremony.

The awards went to John Ford Nichols, president and CEO of construction company Nichols Team, and Raymond Isaac, president of Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning. The annual awards honor companies that show continued growth, innovation and giving back to the community.

Nichols won among businesses with fewer than 50 employees, and Isaac won in the larger company category.

Candidates for the Business Person of the Year award are nominated by their peers, and a selection committee then reviews the nomination packages and selects finalists.

Drinks with Clark

lovincup / August 9, 2012

Drinks with Clark Gaehring

First ‘thrown to the wolves,’ he made a happy landing in Lovin’ Cup

Jinelle Shengulette

Special to Metromix
July 18, 2012

(Credit: Rich Paprocki)

Name: Clark Gaehring.

Age: 29.

Bar: Lovin’ Cup Bistro & Brews in Henrietta.

Where do you live? South Wedge.

Did you go to college? Yes, I have a bachelor’s in business management from Utica College of Syracuse University.

How did you get into bartending? My best friend Casey was bartending at Tanq’s — now MicGinny’s — on East River Road and he convinced the owner to let me barback. When the other bartender didn’t show up for her shift, I was thrown to the wolves.

How long have you been at your bar? Two years in August.

Assuming you frequent your bar, where would you go for drinks if the place shut down? Tap & Mallet, Good Luck or Cheshire because they are awesome.

What’s the craziest thing that you’ve seen at your bar? I was waiting tables one night around Christmastime and a 40-something-year-old teacher took off her shirt, down to her bra, so she wouldn’t be seen in her Christmas sweater. She convinced me to lend her my undershirt and brought it back to me the next day.

What’s your least favorite drink to pour and why? Blue Light: We have so many better beers.

What drink do you pour the most? Whatever IPA is on draught or anything by Three Heads Brewing. The two cocktails that I serve the most are the Material Girl (our take on a Cosmo) and the Raspberry Beret (a delicious raspberry martini).

How much should I be tipping and why? Tipping is an unknown math equation. There are many variables that play into the final answer, and everyone puts a different amount of weight on each variable. I will give you the variables that I consider important: how fast the bartender is when it is busy; how much individual attention I get (without annoying me) when it is slow or I have questions about beer/wine/liquor/menu/etc.; if the bartender suggests something to drink and it’s amazing; if I know I’m going back there.

Is there a song on the jukebox or radio that you hate? Fortunately, we use Pandora Radio and I get to listen to what I want. But if I hear that Foster the People song one more time, I swear … !

What’s the quickest way to get a bartender to hate me? Snapping, waving your money in the air, whistling and “Hey you”-ing. I will always try to do the best I can to be as fast as possible. I always like to say that it’s just a few moments in (hopefully) a long life, so be patient. You should be at the bar to enjoy yourself and for the experience. If you have to wait a little longer than you are used to, strike up a conversation with the person standing next to you. You may have just met your new best friend!

What’s the quickest way to get great service? Be the only one at the bar … just kidding. Smiling, being patient and clearly looking like you are having a good time will get you a long way.

What’s the worst pickup line you’ve overheard? Pickup lines are awesome, but only if they are yours and clever. Using recycled pickup lines says too much about your personality.

Can you share any hangover cures? Yes, don’t drink. Well, yes, please drink because I still need a job! The best way for me to feel better if I had a bit too much to drink the night before is water, ibuprofen and, most importantly, vitamin B (helps in the retention of water).

Do you have a full-time job? Lovin’ Cup is my full-time job. I manage, bartend and serve. Soon you will see my street team out on the beat. I also work part-time doing my own handyman thing. I recently built Lovin’ Cup’s host stand. Come see me and it sometime!

Ever gone home with a customer? I assume you mean for reasons other than drinking a nightcap or watching Law & Order. The answer to that is a mystery — I have a terrible memory! My girlfriend, Erin, actually left me her number one night when I was working, and the rest, as they say, is history!

What do you love best about your job? I love the people I work with. I love the fun-loving regulars that love us back. I love meeting fun people. I love instant feedback.

Britain invades lovin’cup July 2011-2012

lovincup / July 17, 2012

As soon as it began, it’s over! It only seems 5 minutes since I got here. Where did all the time go? My year at Lovin’ Cup is done, but has left me with some great friends, memories and experiences.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Rachael and I came to work at Lovin’ Cup in the summer of 2011, fresh off the boat from England! I was familiar with Rochester as I had previously worked at The Old Toad, the English bar on Alexander Street a few years ago. I wanted to build on the experience I had gained by working in the hospitality industry and was very lucky to be given the opportunity to work at Lovin’ Cup, thanks to Leslie and Don!

Leslie took me under her wing, and in addition to working in the restaurant I spent a lot of time working with her doing ‘office-y’ things and learning how much work, dedication and effort goes into building a successful business. I helped with the Business Development side of things, which included using social media to maximize exposure, writing press releases, designing posters, and composing the bi-monthly mailing list email. I also helped with some events and got to see them run successfully; from conception to completion. Cool beans!

As mentioned before, I served in the restaurant too. So if you have been to Lovin’ Cup for lunch lately and your server had a funny accent, chances are it could have been me! I love talking to people, so chatting to customers and getting to know the regulars whilst working was a pleasure. Everyone has been so friendly, even when they couldn’t understand what I was saying. Haha! J

I’m lucky to say while I have been here I have seen more of the United States that many people could only dream of. Highlights include a road trip from New York City to San Francisco, lounging on a beach in south Florida, and of course losing all my money in Las Vegas. So I am leaving Rochester at the end of the July to go back to the rain and cold of England. L However, I won’t be there for long, as in the winter I am off on my travels again. I am going to be completing 12 challenges around the world to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation! I am so excited to be tackling challenges such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machu Picchu trek in Peru, a skydive, volunteering at an orphanage in Tanzania and cycling from London to Paris! You can read more about my trip at www.the121212challenge.com .

Thank you to everyone who made my year at Lovin’ Cup the best ever! I will miss you all!

Rachael Chapman

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