Best of Hot Dish: May 21-25, 2012
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| Tommy and Georgie/flickr |
| It's time for grilling adventures |
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| Tommy and Georgie/flickr |
| It's time for grilling adventures |
It's a Saturday morning after a successful trip to the St. Paul Farmers Market. You got your fresh flowers, snap peas, and bunches of basil, but now you've worked up an appetite and are craving a sit-down breakfast that doesn't leave grease on your spoon. Sorry, Mickey's -- not always in the mood to smell like a French fry for the rest of the day. 
A new Saints stadium could mean much more than just hot dogs
A dozen workers at a St. Paul Aldi store have formally filed for an election to join UFCW Local 1189, according to union organizer Curtis Neff.![]()
Aldi's workers are unionizing
The workers, at 2005 Suburban Avenue, are scheduled to vote on joining the union June 29, Neff says. UFCW 1189 has had a contentious relationship with the supermarket chain. In 2009, the union protested Aldi for not signing a "labor-peace agreement" agreeing not to interfere with workers' efforts to unionize.
Like gophers on a golf course, the trucks keep coming. This most recent arrival that we tracked down is the berry-red Trinh truck. Specializing in sandwiches and boba tea, it also has fresh spring rolls, Vietnamese coffee, and chips. We lined up to have a first bite.
The new Trinh truck in downtown St. Paul
Broadening your knowledge of international cheeses can be a very enjoyable--but very expensive--project. And with over 670 recognized types of cheese, it's hard to know where to start without getting overwhelmed ... and over-cheesed. Finding small-scale, local events here and there can cut a lifetime of learning down to appropriate, bite-sized pieces.![]()
The Sofitel Hotel in Edina will be hosting one such event next week, in honor of National Cheese Day, where you can get a modest education in great cheeses without spending a dime.
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It takes a certain kind of sadomasochism to return to Cupcake Wars not once but twice. But Kevin VanDeraa, previous Cupcake Wars champion and owner of Cupcake Bakery in Prospect Park, couldn't resist the invitation to return, this time to compete as one of 15 champions in a five-episode series. VanDeraa's episode airs Sunday at 7 p.m. on the Food Network.
Minneapolis bakery owner will compete for the Food Network show's championship
Each week during the championship series, four previous Cupcake Wars winners fight their way through three elimination challenges to earn their place in the final episode, which will air on Sunday, June 10. On the line is a $50,000 cash prize, bragging rights, and the coveted title of Cupcake Champion.
While some contestants try to impress the judges with off-the-wall flavors and crazy garnishes, VanDeraa's strategy is a little different.
With just over a week before it officially opens for the season, the Linden Hills Farmers Market vendor lineup has been announced, reports the Southwest Minneapolis Patch. 
Returns Sunday, June 3

A pint, a cool breeze, and some board games. Perfect.
| Where is the best place to buy great meat? |
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