Issuu

F O O D + B E V E R AG E

PHO M AI REDSTO N E AM ERI CAN GRILL TR AV E L

ALL TRAVEL ENTERTAINMENT

GAM E SHOW STU DIO

Pizza Novara O C TO B E R 2 02 6

THE PERFECT TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE

MAKE YOUR MOVE WITH CONFIDENCE THIS FALL For over 25 years, we've helped Eden Prairie homeowners buy and sell with confidence in every type of market. Our expert pricing, strategic marketing, and skilled negotiation help you maximize your results every step of the way. Thinking of making a move this fall? Give us a call today.

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A HUNDRED YEARS IN THE MAKING I N T R O D U C I N G M A R S H A L L FA R M S

NOW SELLING IN EDEN PRAIRIE

Your Legacy Begins Here A place made for every generation, on the historic grounds of Marshall Farm above the Minnesota River Valley. Single-level flats and custom villas embraced by 70 acres of protected land — with trails, gardens, gathering places, and thoughtfully designed homes built for generations to come. Platzke Real Estate Group is now accepting lot reservations, offering the opportunity to secure your place in this exceptional new community.

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DISCOVER A NEW LEVEL OF PRIVATE DINING

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

“Eat every meal as though it were your last.” – Garfield

October 2026 PUBLISHER

John Lee | john.lee@citylifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N D I R E C TO R

David Scheller | david.scheller@citylifestyle.com

Dear Eden Prairie Lifestyle reader,

INTERN

I’m sure you’re already familiar with Ovid’s Metamorphoses, being a great fan of classic Roman poetry such as you are. I ask you to recall Book XI, which details the lament of King Midas. To synopsize: King Midas of Pessinus was a decent guy; perhaps a touch too obsessed with acquiring material wealth for his own good, but hospitable. One day Midas encountered a drunk satyr named Silenus – a half-man, halfgoat type of dude that you don’t see around often these days. Midas, sensing that Silenus was going through a rough patch, put him up in absolute luxury. Penthouse. In-suite Jacuzzi. Full mini bar. Seven hundred thread count Pessinuntian cotton sheets. The works. After ten days of continual drunken satyr antics, Midas sensed it was time to return Silenus to his foster son: none other than Dionysus, the god of wine and many other nice things. Impressed by Midas’ hospitality, Dionysus offered the regent a reward of one wish. Midas requested that anything he touch turn to gold! Unfortunately, Dionysus apparently subscribes to the “sneaky ironical genie” school of wish granting. For though he was delighted at the outcome of touching twigs, stones, roses, and other things that are not conventionally made of gold but really ought to be, Midas was mortified by his newfound talent’s implications for banqueting: when he beheld his food grow rigid and his drink harden into golden ice then he understood that this gift was a bane and in his loathing for gold, cursed his prayer. The moral of this parable is simple. Food and drink? They’re important – so much so that they merit the dedication of an entire issue of Eden Prairie Lifestyle. (There’s probably also some lesson to glean on the perils of greed, but that’d make for a pretty dull mag.) As always, I would like to thank all of Eden Prairie Lifestyle’s sponsors, without whose support we could not mail our magazine directly to our readers’ homes. I always welcome any feedback or interest you may have in appearing on our magazine’s pages!

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Best regards, JOHN LEE, PUBLISHER @EDEN_PRAIRIE_LIFESTYLE

Blake Lawrence | blake@realmediamn.com

Bill Scheller C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Julie Hawkins, Real Media MN

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Mary Albers LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Eden Prairie Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Eden Prairie area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

Visit our Instagram CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/EDENPRAIRIE

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Eden Prairie Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

inside the issue OC TOB E R 2 02 6 | FOOD & D R I N K

50 Featured

38 50 68

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?

Departments

Baker’s Ribs

The Taste of Texas, Brought North by a Native

Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory

Feel Like a Kid in Some Kind of Store

Culture Through Cuisine

Amalia Moreno-Damgaard Teaches That Leadership Begins With Understanding People

Lifestyle Letter

Business Monthly

Local’s Choice FOOD + BEVERAGE

Happy Hour ENTERTAINMENT

Chef ’s Selection FOOD + BEVERAGE

Hot Spot FOOD + BEVERAGE

Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAGE

Must See FOOD + BEVERAGE

Travel Journal TRAVEL

Party Planning ENTERTAINMENT

Expert Help EDUCATION

Giving Back LIFE + CULTURE

Trend Setter FOOD + BEVERAGE

Events

On the Cover Bite into the magic of authentic Connecticut-style pizza, served fresh out of the oven in Bloomington! PizzaNovara.com Photography: Pizza Novara

With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online. Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.

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Dog Lover? We Are Too! Volunteer Today! H E L P I N G PA W S

Volunteer Dog Trainers

A S S I S TA N C E D O G S

Care for and train our dogs from puppies to service dogs, attending weekly classes and practicing cues in and outside of home.

Host Homes Open their hearts and homes to our dogs, while our staff trains them during the daytime. Foster a future service dog!

Dog Sitters Help care for our dogs in training when their Volunteer Dog Trainers or Host Homes travel! Choose the dates that work for you!

Exceptional Realtors, Top Results With a Personal Touch! Stunning brand new model home with soaring vaults and windows! $1,625,000

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Thrilled buyer clients for this gorgeous Eden Prairie home!

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Six bedroom, 5 bathroom 2-story walkout near parks and trails. Spacious open floor plan! $950,000

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OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

OCTOBER 2026

business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Lighthouse Team Consulting Cuts the Ribbon

Dave’s Hot Chicken Cuts the Ribbon

California Closets Cuts the Ribbon

High-performing teams don’t happen by accident. They’re built with intention, and succeed when people feel connected, empowered, and clear about their purpose. Lighthouse Team Consulting partners with organizations to design and implement the development frameworks that empower teams to achieve high performance. As a talent development specialist, Ulises Rodriguez helps leaders build teams that communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and perform at a superlative level. LighthouseTeamConsulting.com

Like so many American dreams, Dave’s Hot Chicken had a humble beginning: three childhood friends in their 20s who scraped together $900 – just enough for a grand opening at an East Hollywood parking lot in 2017. But those legendary tenders would soon go viral, and lines started stretching around the block. Now that American dream is reality at over 390 restaurants, including Eden Prairie’s at 16492 W 78th St. DavesHotChicken.com

California Closets originated the custom closet industry in 1978 with the humble vision of a college student who turned his idea of maximizing space in his dorm room closet into a successful small business in Southern California. Today, California Closets operates a multinational franchise and company-owned organization with showrooms across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, delivering custom-designed organizational solutions for the whole home. CaliforniaClosets.com

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

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Armatage Home Care Cuts the Ribbon Armatage Home Care builds care around the individual – not a template. Every client receives a customized care plan informed by their lifestyle, preferences, and family input. From matching empathetic, experienced, and extensively trained caregivers based on personality fit to providing clients and families with direct access to decision makers, real-time updates, and proactive communication, Armatage’s focus is delivering care that feels personal, attentive, and effortless. Every home visit reflects that commitment to excellence. ArmatageHomeCare.com

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LOTUS VILLAS

Boutique neighborhood of 19 association maintained Rambler Villas. Located at 10700 Prairie Lakes Drive in Eden Prairie. info@ronclark.com • RonClark.com• 952-974-3000 info@ronclark.com • RonClark.com Jeff 612-799-5057 Information Information deemed deemed reliable reliable but but not not guaranteed. guaranteed. Contractor Contractor Lic Lic # # 1220 1220

OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

Come watch what’s flying at Flying Cloud From classic aircraft to sleek business jets, there’s always something taking off or landing at Flying Cloud Airport. Stop by the viewing area on Victor Lane in Eden Prairie and enjoy the view! The Metropolitan Airports Commission and Flying Cloud Airport are proud to be your community neighbors.

Learn more at metroairports.org

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Helping You Plan for the Future Leave nothing to chance. With attorney Andy Gregory at your side, you will rest assured that your wealth will be distributed exactly as you intend– and you will have comfort knowing there is someone to make health care decisions for you. Reach out today to schedule a FREE virtual or in-person consultation. Your peace of mind deserves nothing less than a personalized, comprehensive estate plan. Estate Planning • Wills • Incapacity Planning Trust Administration • Trusts • Formal & Informal Probate

612-562-9130 www.andygregorylaw.com info@andygregorylaw.com OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

PHO MAI Vietnamese Food. Pho Real.

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

LOCA L’S CH OICE | FO O D + BE VE RAGE

Cân Thó? Too far; can’t go. Hai Phòng? Flight there’s too long. Hà Noi? Not conveniently located. Oh boy. It seems there’s a downside to living in Eden Prairie after all. It’s nowhere near any Vietnamese cities, and therefore no nearer to authentic Vietnamese cuisine…

…until 2023, that is. With the grand opening of Pho Mai at Asia Mall, delish Viet treats no longer lie heart-rendingly far from our border. It is the second of restaurateur Michael Bui’s three Pho Mai locations, and unarguably the best one because you live right by it.

“It means so much to me, opening a Pho Mai right here in my hometown,” said Michael. “My wife Mai and I settled here in 2001, the same year our first son was born. We’ve had three more kids since then, and we raised them all just like our parents raised us: by having them pitch in at the family restaurant. The only difference? They get paid! “I’m much better at eating than I am at cooking. That’s why I’m grateful for my wife’s culinary talents, among many other things. Her menu showcases the absolute best that Vietnamese cuisine has to offer. Banh mi packed with juicy pork, on freshly baked rolls from Keefer Court. Pho, and other noodle soups made with nuanced broths and fresh, fresh vegetables. DIY spring rolls! We bring the fixings; you add the talent. (Don’t worry – we’ll show you how.)”

ASK YOURSELF THIS:

Are you tired of feeling like a big, greasy, dim-witted creature for a while after eating Asian food? “Vietnamese cuisine is nothing like that!” assures Michael. “It revolves around freshness and liveliness, and makes you energized – never lethargic. That’s why

Open seven days a week. Catering, group reservations, and private parties available. Visit PhoMai.com to learn more! Mai and I are able to work as hard as we do. And though we do serve lo mein, sesame chicken, and many other AmericanizedAsian classics, even they are prepared to considerably higher standards than buffet steamer tray glop. Eating at Pho Mai feels good.”

ASK YOURSELF THIS ALSO:

Do you like dessert? Then stick around Asia Mall after lunch or dinner. There you’ll find the Buis’ other businesses: Bober Tea, whose beverages are cold and sweet, unlike you who are warm and sweet; Keefer Court, serving fluffy deliciousness such as Michael’s mom’s special pandan cake; and Mochi Donuts. Donuts. Mochi Donuts serves donuts.

OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

Your Next Move Starts with the Right Strategy That's Why You Need Me Top 1% Realtor in the Twin Cities This time of year I am having conversations with homeowners about selling next year. The best time to start planning is now. From capturing beautiful Fall exterior photos before the seasons change to identifying updates, possible repairs, and staging opportunities, a little preparation now can make a big difference when it’s time to sell. Let’s create a plan that positions your home to stand out amongst the competition! If you're wondering about the value of your home, let's connect. malloriesells.com 952-334-7973 | @MallorieSells

Building the region’s future economy

JH & Associates, Ltd

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Bring those fall vibes home with fresh color You don’t need pumpkin spice lattes to make your home feel like the perfect fall getaway. Trust CertaPro Painters® to bring fresh color to your home and leave everything clean when the job is done. The whipped cream mess is up to you.

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Manage and resolve litigation and disputes. Minimize and eliminate risks and expenses. And above all else, save money.

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David M. Anderson, Business Attorney OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

AMERICA’S LARGEST GOLF SIMULATOR ESTABLISHMENT IS SO MUCH MORE

GO PLAY GOLF IN THE SNOW AND ICE. It’s an unsurpassable experience if you enjoy: • Getting snow and ice inside your mittens • Losing your ball constantly, because some genius at Titleist decided to make golf balls the same color as snow and ice • Slipping on snow and ice, which may give you valid cause to patronize fine local businesses such as Cadence Chiropractic, Family Podiatry Clinic, and Summit Orthopedics

OFFICE GOLF 26

H AP PY H OU R | ENTERTA IN ME N T

But what if you are normal, and prefer playing golf in the lap of comfort? Perhaps inside a cozy hideaway by the bank of Bloomington’s Ninemile Creek, where you can fine-tune your swing or compete against pals within faithful simulacra of the world’s most prestigious golf courses, and eat nice food and drink nice drinks and be grateful that snow and ice aren’t anywhere near you? Perhaps even the kind of place where you can throw parties for any occasion, as well as enjoy neat activities that don’t even involve golf? If that’s the case, then you’ll be much happier at Office Golf.

IT’S A COMMUNITY HUB

“I’m amazed – and humbled – by how warmly our community has embraced Office Golf,” said Katie Rose, co-owner alongside her husband Ernie. “Our location five minutes away from Braemar Arena certainly hasn’t hurt our standing with hockey families, who have taken to referring to their visits to Office Golf as ‘safety meetings.’ We’re always delighted to welcome the Edina Hockey Association, as well as the myriad other youth sports leagues that come here to celebrate victories (or soften the sting of defeat). CONTINUED >

OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

“Now that we’re entering our fourth anniversary in business, we’re focusing on offering even more to the non-golfing population at large!” Thursday Night Trivia with the Trivia Mafia. Mahjong League Monday courtesy of esteemed local 麻將 expert and Belle of the Bam proprietor Courtney Martin. Sourdough Workshop, provided by none other than Healing Bread founder Brooke Toftoy. Coffee Class, featuring the best of Edina Coffee Roasters and taught by a professional barista. These are just a few fun ways Office Golf entertains the community while showcasing its most interesting talent.

IT’S A RESTAURANT

Do you enjoy food? Then you’ll love The Boardroom: Office Golf’s on-site restaurant, which has spent four years refining its menu to all-time crowd-favorite pub-style provisions.

H AP PY H OU R | ENTERTA IN ME N T

Now me, personally? I like Office Golf’s Jo-Jo Fries with seasoned sour cream, followed by a piping-hot helping of Jack Daniel’s Bacon Mac N’ Cheese and a Pretzel-Crusted Salted Caramel Brownie just to make extra sure I don’t freeze to death on the drive home. My beautiful wife, on the other hand, prefers a fruity and nutty Mixed Berry Salad for starters, and then the Supreme Pizza before mounting a series of stealthy and expertly timed attacks on my very precious brownie. I tolerate this behavior. Office Golf is a place for loving.

IT’S THREE BARS

Cans. Bottles. Drafts. Reds. Whites. Bubblies. Signature cocktails, such as The Rattle: a medley of blanco tequila, orange liqueur, coconut milk, lime juice, and muddled jalapeño that tastes like warm gold in your mouth. Office Golf serves all these fine beverages at The Boardroom, three separate bars, and every golf simulator in their sizable premises.

“Office Golf’s setup makes us the perfect venue for parties of all sizes,” added Katie. “Want to host a small company gathering? We have just the space to make as few as ten guests feel like they’re the only ones here. Planning a birthday, wedding, anniversary, retirement, or bar/bat mitzvah party for as many as 400? Office Golf’s dedicated event specialists will make sure the whole thing goes off without a hiccup!”

IT’S GOLF

Behold – the Trackman iO: an amalgamation of radar, infrared, and high-speed imaging that delivers the most faithful simulation of a good walk spoiled the world has ever seen. Office Golf has 18 of them. An auspicious number, wouldn’t you say? Royal County Down. Royal St. George’s. Barnbougle Dunes. These and 563 more of the globe’s most celebrated golf courses unfurl before you as you intrepidly whack away at a Trackman

iO’s screen. And because there is no walking or divot replacing or skeeter swatting required, a single player can coast across 18 holes in just under an hour. Are you contending against three of your elite golfer friends? Four hours, but not a single dull moment. And the best part? Every single hole is the 19th hole at Office Golf. Pretzels and burgers and pizzas and cool, refreshing Coors Lights are never more than a putt’s distance away.

IT’S OFFICE GOLF

Avail yourself of Office Golf’s new community programs. Take the whole family out to dinner at The Boardroom, or host one absolute banger of a party within Office Golf’s palatial 30,000 square feet. Go hone your swing in the meditative splendor of the largest golf simulator establishment in the United States. Just whatever you do, don’t not go to Office Golf at 7807 Creekridge Circle in Bloomington. OfficeGolf.com

OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

Enjoy the Journey. From holiday light tours to winter parties, Executive Transportation turns every outing into an experience of comfort and calm. Our chauffeurs navigate the snow and traffic so you can relax, connect, and truly enjoy the moments that matter. Celebrate. Relax. Let us drive. executivecarusa.com | 612-267-2552

Travel with confidence.

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FAMILY PODIATRY CLINIC

THERE’S NO TIME FOR PODIATRY LIKE AUTUMN Don’t get us wrong. EVERY season is a great one for foot care. But autumn? It’s full of wet, slippery leaves: a leading cause of ankle sprains and fractures. It’s the most raking-intensive season – and raking is precisely the sort of athletic activity that can exacerbate plantar fasciitis. And if you’re planning a hike or a particularly grueling trip to the pumpkin patch, then you’ll thank your lucky stars for podiatry if Achilles tendonitis sets in. From minor foot and ankle conditions to immobilizing injuries, Family Podiatry Clinic has your foot care covered. Scan the QR code to schedule your appointment today!

Schedule an Appointment Today! 952-934-9000 www.fampodclinic.com 761 W 78th St, Chanhassen, MN

Darren R. Cowl, DPM

Specializing in Conservative and Surgical Treatment of the Foot and Ankle

OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY REAL MEDIA MN

Meet Chef Carlos

Redstone American Grill I worked in a high-end restaurant kitchen some years ago. Chef Jeff, bristly yet brilliant, was its king. He once critiqued a sous chef’s hummus so unfavorably that she quit in tears right on the spot. But my heavens, could that man cook. One day, Chef Jeff learned that one of his cooks had committed the unspeakable offense of attending cooking school. “Ha,” he sneered over a half-constructed salmon crêpe. “You wasted your time. Working in a kitchen’s the only way to learn this business. Even that nitwit over there has a better chance of becoming a chef than most cooking school grads.” Chef Jeff motioned at me, the dishwasher.

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

“I was especially lucky to continue my education at Redstone. I never cooked before I started working in a kitchen. But here, because I showed discipline and eagerness to do things exactly the way the chef likes it, they gave me more and more opportunities to grow. That’s how I moved up from line cook all the way to executive chef. “I started out prepping ingredients, which I still enjoy doing, because that way it’s like you get to do a little something for every guest who walks through the door. I found my favorite part of the kitchen, the grill, soon after. When you cook the perfect steak – the one the guest imagined when they said ‘well,’ ‘medium,’ or ‘blue?’ It’s a good feeling. “One time, a guest came back into the kitchen just to compliment my steak. That was the best feeling. It’s the feeling I’m still chasing every time I cook. CONTINUED >

“In Mexico, I worked at a bank. I had studied administration in school,” said Chef Carlos Urzua. “I came to America hoping to continue my banking career. But American banks? It turns out they weren’t hiring. “But that’s OK. I’ve found something I like much better than banking, anyway. “I started out at the bottom. A dishwasher. But the bottom is also where you have the most to learn. Right away I noticed how fast everyone moves. Boom, boom, boom – busy, busy, busy – all the time. That was my first big lesson: try and keep up. “I got a second kitchen job not long after starting out. It was in 2004. I was still close to the bottom, but at least it was two bottoms: the first restaurant, where I’ve stayed working to this day, and Redstone American Grill.

OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

“And I get to feel it a lot, because Redstone has high standards. Everything that goes on in the front of the house? The hosts, the servers, the bartenders, and the bussers? They all have the highest standards for service, which is good, because it sets the right mood to appreciate my kitchen’s high standards. “Redstone has spent 27 years developing a worldclass menu, and they did it right here in Minnesota. Our tender, juicy rotisserie chicken, which we season for 24 hours and then slow roast over coals for two hours more. Our ribs, which we cook s-l-o-w and then heat up on the grill, slathered in our own house barbecue sauce. Our scrambled egg, andouille sausage and potato brunch burritos that we serve with fresh salsa every Sunday. Those, and every other Redstone recipe? They are perfect. I truly believe in them. “My only job is to make all those recipes the right way – every single time – every single day. “That’s why we only allow the freshest, most flavorful ingredients inside the kitchen. That’s why we make everything from scratch, right down to our salad dressings. That’s why I manage a kitchen staff of 23; all just as disciplined and eager as I am. That’s why we treat the Minnesota Food Code like the gospel. And if I see something that’s not right? A temperature a couple of degrees off, or even the smallest little thing out of place in the presentation? I say to the one responsible, ‘Hey! Would you serve food to your mother like that?’ Everyone in the kitchen must really love their mothers, because they always tell me they wouldn’t.

“But that doesn’t happen often. “You know, I’m sure my mom wouldn’t have minded if I became a hot-shot successful banker. But now, when I go back home to visit her, I get to do something I wish I’d done for her back while she was still raising me. I cook for her. I cook her a little of the Mexican flavor she knows very well; a little of the American flavor that I picked up up north. They go good together!” Visit Redstone American Grill at 8000 Town Center Place, Eden Prairie to see how Chef Carlos cooks for his mom. Order online and discover catering, private dining, and private events at RedstoneGrill.com.

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T H E TA S T E O F T E X A S , B R O U G H T N O R T H B Y A N AT I V E

BAKER’S

RIBS ARTICLE BY BILL SCHELLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIE HAWKINS

H OT SP OT | FO O D + BEVERAGE

AUTHENTIC BARBECUE IS AS MUCH OF AN ART AS A SCIENCE.

Back in 1993, a little bit of Texas landed in Eden Prairie. The Lone Star State came to Minnesota when native Al Killion brought his barbecue expertise to a new outpost of Baker’s Ribs, the small Texas chain where he learned the pitmaster’s trade. Since then, a loyal local clientele has come to love the Texan take on St. Louis-style pork ribs, beef brisket, pork butt, chicken, and turkey, all smoked to perfection by Al and his crew. “I really didn’t have experience with barbecue till I met Joe Duncan,” says Al, whose first job wasn’t at a rib place, but at a Dairy Queen. “Joe was the founder of Baker’s, which he named after his father-in-law, who helped him get started. I met Joe just a few years after he opened his first restaurant, in Garland, Texas. I’d been working there for a year when Joe started thinking about franchising, which is what brought me up here.” The Eden Prairie restaurant remains the only Baker’s outside of Texas, where the home base in Garland is joined by branches in Mesquite, Dallas, and Greenville.

CONTINUED >

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“I DON’T KNOW WHERE I LEARNED THE MOST,” AL SAYS. “I LEARNED A LOT IN TEXAS, AND I’VE LEARNED HERE, FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES.”

Al’s culinary inspiration came early. “My mom’s mom was an unbelievable cook – nothing fancy, just real food. It made a lasting impression,” he recalls. That year helping work the pits at the original Baker’s was a barbecue education, one that never ends. “I don’t know where I learned the most,” Al says. “I learned a lot in Texas, and I’ve learned here, from different angles.” That lifetime of learning speaks to the fact that authentic barbecue is as much of an art as a science. It begins with the understanding that the characteristic barbecue flavor derives from just two ingredients, meat and smoke, along with an invisible third ingredient, time. Brisket and pork butt smoke all night; ribs take about three and a half hours. The smoke, of course, comes from carefully selected wood, both green and dry, which has to burn at just the right temperature. “In Texas, we’d use hickory,” Al points out. “But hickory doesn’t grow up here, so we smoke with oak, which also gives the

H OT SP OT | FO O D + BEVERAGE

meat a good flavor.” Smoking starts with a slow fire of green wood, built in smokers that still go by the name of “pits,” even though they’re sophisticated equipment with automatic temperature and draft regulation, not the old-fashioned holes in the ground. When a hotter fire is required, Al adds dry wood. There is one important auxiliary flavor beyond those basics of meat and smoke, and it’s one that’s probably caused as much argument and regional competition as any other aspect of barbecue – the sauce. Al believes that “something a lot of people can’t get out of their heads is that barbecue has to be covered in sauce. It should be used more sparingly – you should be able to taste the meat, not just the sauce.” Barbecue at Baker’s comes with its own special sauce, crafted of all natural ingredients and available to take home in bottles. Baker’s side dishes are all made in house. These include baked beans with a rich smoky flavor, dilled potato and rotini salads, dirty rice, and Texas toast.

All that down-home cooking needs a red-check-tablecloth, down-home atmosphere, and Baker’s follows through – assuming one’s idea of “home” is a curio shop filled with every conceivable representation of the star of the barbecue show, the pig. Baker’s interior is a showplace of pig paraphernalia Al has collected over the years, ranging from old advertisements to merry little porkers in all sorts of outfits. “One of our latest additions,” Al proudly boasts, “is a cookie jar, in the shape of a pig wearing a top hat.” Another important part of Baker’s décor greets customers the minute they walk in: a vintage bathtub filled with ice and an impressive selection of sodas. This is the time of year when Baker’s trade turns to holiday orders. For Thanksgiving, Al advises, customers planning to make a smoked turkey the centerpiece of their feast should place their orders by the Saturday before the holiday, though sooner is better. And Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be Turkey Day – “some people don’t like turkey – we do hams, too,” says Al. For Christmas – a holiday Baker’s devotees often celebrate with ribs and brisket – order by December 17th, ideally earlier. Baker’s Ribs is located at 8019 Glen Lane, Eden Prairie. Visit BakersRibsMN.com to learn more, or call (952) 942-5337 to place your order for holiday turkey or ham.

Photo courtesy of Al

Al Killion, Proprietor

A LOYAL LOCAL CLIENTELE HAS COME TO LOVE THE TEXAN TAKE ON ST. LOUIS-STYLE PORK RIBS, BEEF BRISKET, PORK BUTT, CHICKEN, AND TURKEY. OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

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PIZZA

NOVA R A YOUR NEW FAVORITE PIZZA

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

Think back to your fondest childhood memories. The dances. The parties. The little league victories. The family dinners. The days when the school lunch ladies were really cooking. Now, try to visualize what you ate in each of those happy scenes. A whirl of red and gold coalesces in your mind’s eye. It gives form to an image. It’s very faint, at first, but refining increasingly. Ah. You see it now, plain as day. It is pizza – that uncontested best food of all time since whenever pizza was invented.

"To that end, Pat had a secret weapon: a recipe for Connecticut-style pizza that had been preserved since the 1940s.” CONTINUED >

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“Pizza is a happy place,” said Mark Kaufman, general manager of Pizza Novara. “It always has been for me. And I can tell when our guests share that feeling. Their faces light up the instant they walk into our restaurant.” Mark has been in his happy place since his very first job; at his father’s buddy’s pizza place, over in Robbinsdale. Once previously an enthusiastic enjoyer of pizza, his early professional experience would set him on the path to becoming a pizza scienziato and artista rolled into one. As fortune would have it, Mark knows just the two men who can keep him where

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

he likes being most: Pat Woodring, CEO of Nova Restaurant Group (which includes Eden Prairie’s beloved neighborhood hangout Tavern 4&5), and Scott Foster, COO of the same – “a wonderful chef and brilliant mind,” continued Mark. “We all worked together to open Joey Nova’s Pizzeria alongside Hazelwood Tonka Bay in 2006. We sold it three years later, but that ultimately gave way to an opportunity to open our newest pizza concept next to Hazelwood Bloomington in 2022. “These past four years have been great. You might think being right near the airport would deprive us of regulars, but it’s exactly

the opposite. We’ve become the preferred pizza night destination for families all over the Twin Cities, because Minnesotans who know the best way to recover from a return flight always do it right here!”

ENOUGH BACKGROUND, ALREADY. GET TO THE PIZZA.

“One of the biggest reasons why I respect Pat and Scott so much is that they respect pizza,” said Mark. “They’re both right behind me on my mission to make the world’s best. To that end, Pat had a secret weapon: a recipe for Connecticut-style pizza that had been preserved since the 1940s.”

"The sauce? Simple, like it should be; just good, ripe Roma tomatoes, water, and salt with a touch of oregano."

Don’t worry. Mark’s not talking about Barbara Bush’s original ultra-secret pizza recipe, which is guarded at Fort Knox and illegal to reproduce. He’s talking about one that was fine-tuned in the state with the highest percentage of Italian ancestry, in the wake of a war that, among other things, put everyone in the mood for really good pizza. “It combines the three essential elements of pizza brilliantly,” Mark continued. “The dough – a sacred commodity – is made fresh, with high-gluten flour that gives the crust a firm yet elastic consistency, and baked on the flawlessly even conduction of granite. We use a conveyor belt to ensure baking time is perfect to the second. The sauce? Simple, like it should be; just good, ripe Roma tomatoes, water, and salt with a touch of oregano. The cheese? No more complicated. Whole milk mozzarella. Full fat. Full flavor.” The Novara Deluxe: a tarantella of pepperoni, sausage, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms,

and fresh basil. The Hot Honey: genoa salami and jalapenos, drizzled in feisty bee sauce. The BBQ Chicken: with sharp cheddar and onions, and a zesty [kisses tips of thumb, index finger, and middle finger] – muah – BBQ sauce. These are only an itty-bitty cross section of Pizza Novara’s specialty pies. “And we’re more than just pizza,” Mark added. “Come try any of our amazing sandwiches, like our Chicken Parmesan which we make from scratch and with our own marinara. We serve baked pastas, such as our Penne Rosa with garlic cream and marinara sauces and spicy sausage. We have wine, liquor, beer, and a wide selection of appetizers to go with them. And if all of that wasn’t enough, stick around for a real malt or milkshake. My favorite is vanilla and fresh strawberries!” Pizza Novara also serves salad and pizza by the slice, so you can conveniently adhere to or cheat on your diet the next time you are near 8170 26th Avenue S, Bloomington. PizzaNovara.com

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Fuzziwig’s

Candy Factory Feel Like a Kid in Some Kind of Store

ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

M UST SE E | FO O D + BEVERAGE

COME ON DOWN TO SCHEELS! We got backpacks, kayaks, bike seats and soccer cleats, sweatshirts, tennis skirts, jerked meats and bleacher seats, goose calls, golf balls, fish hooks and nature books, swimsuits, dried fruits, hiking boots and… …FRESHLY MADE FUDGE? And a tantalizing assortment of other delicious treats and gourmet eats, too? Is it too good to be true? ‘Tis. But it’s also FOR REALS when you go to SCHEELS: home of Fuzziwig's Candy Factory! “Best candy apples in the whole world!” said shop manager Jonah Meyer. “I should know. I make them myself from scratch using fresh Granny Smith apples and our smooth, buttery, top secret caramel recipe, which I will gladly share with you if you ask. “It takes well over an hour to cook a batch of caramel. I’m always sorry when it’s over, because if our guests all the way up at the top of our Ferris wheel can smell that warm, bubbling caramel, then you’d better believe it smells good here inside Fuzziwig’s.” Fuzziwig’s candy apples are available coated in white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, M&Ms, chopped nuts, and more. And for the purists seeking nostalgia flashbacks from state fairs of yore? Pomme au caramel au naturel. “Best fudge in the whole world, too!” said assistant store leader Leah Hagen. “I should know. I have to resist the urge to ‘test’ it everyday. We make ours the old-fashioned way: in small batches using base ingredients, with a whole lot of love and a commercial-grade fudge mixer. CONTINUED >

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“My personal favorite, after having tested them all? That’d be like picking a favorite child, but I do love Pecan Cluster. Fudge, pecans, and caramel. Classic! Our best-selling fudge of all time, however, is carefully tailored to the discerning Minnesotan palate. It’s Minnetonka Mud Fudge: vanilla fudge layered under caramel layered under chocolate layered under caramel layered under chocolate.” Let New England have its clam chowder. Allow Texas its brisket and Creole country its crawdads while you’re at it, because no American region can boast a higher culinary achievement than our own. I am speaking, of course, of the scotcheroo bite; a delicacy forged to perfection throughout the course of countless church bake sales since time immemorial. “We sell scotcharoos by the slab, too,” said Jonah, in a tone that by no means challenges anyone to attempt eating an entire slab of scotcharoo by themself in one sitting, although I interpreted it that way anyway. “Off the top of my head, I would guess there are anywhere between 300 and 400 different kinds of candy at Fuzziwig’s,” estimated Leah. “We have Runts, truffles, gumballs, chocolate-covered peanuts, honey sticks, Necco Wafers, Tootsie Rolls, Whatchamacallits, every shape of gummy, every size of jawbreaker, every shade of rock candy, and of course we have those little translucent wax bottles filled with colorful flavored syrups.” RESPLENDENT. But what if you want a piping-hot cup of craft-roasted coffee – or some other uplifting beverage – and maybe a nice soup, salad, sandwich, or other quick bite to go with it? What should you do then? Leave SCHEELS? Ha ha! Of course not. This magazine would never advise doing such a thing. What it would do is dedicate an entire heading to where you ought to go.

GINNA’S CAFÉ & COFFEE

“We get our beans from Driven Coffee Roasters of Chanhassen,” said Jonah. “They’re a perfect fit for SCHEELS’ own café: local, like so many other brands the store goes out of its way to showcase and promote, and exceptional at their craft. Driven roasts one smooth-drinking bean, and their flavor profile never changes.”

M UST SE E | FO O D + BEVERAGE

Who can take a sunrise Sprinkle it with dew Cover it with chocolate And a miracle or two SCHEELS

Ginna’s will serve you coffee every which way. They will serve you hot chocolate, smoothies, matcha, tea, and chai tea as well. They will even serve you Red Bull infusions, which are helpful if you want to do all your kids’ back-to-school shopping on Labor Day. But of all Ginna’s delicious, refreshing beverages, none is trending harder at the time of writing than that delicious, refreshing beverage. “We just recently added dirty sodas to our menu,” said Leah. “Come on in and treat yourself to a Berry Blast, Tropical Tide, or Cherry Bomb sometime. We feature new flavors each month! “SCHEELS started out in 1902. Even as a little mom-and-pop hardware and general store in Sabin, Minnesota, SCHEELS always strove to offer everything to everyone. Fuzziwig’s and Ginna’s are just two more ways we live up to that foundational mission. Grandma can get her coffee. Granddaughter can get a dirty soda. Grandpa can sneak off to get fudge. Everybody’s happy!” SCHEELS.com

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OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

ALL Travel

Luxury River and Ocean Cruise Planning ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

Suppose you were an astronaut planning an expedition to the moon. Would you just up and take off without any help? Of course not! You’d be backed all the way by ground control: a team of ultra-serious eggheads to make sure you don’t forget to bring enough air, or slam your rocketship into the moon at a speed of 1 million miles per hour. And those are space miles. They’re much longer. Now, suppose you were vacationing someplace more exotic than Altoona. Would you embark without the best-laid plans, and constant assurance that everything will go swimmingly even if said plans go sideways? Perish the thought! The last thing Eden Prairie Lifestyle needs is to have one of our precious readers get marooned outside our distribution range. But you don’t want eggheads. You want a tireless, meticulous, ebullient travelista to usher you across all creation without your having to give any thought to the p's and the q's. You want Alana LaBissoniere: founder of ALL Travel. “It was a precarious start,” reminisced Alana. “I launched my travel agency only a couple of months before that virus hit. Fortunately, I had also taken the age-old advice and not quit my day job. Not just yet, anyway, though I still had plenty of time left over to dedicate to my new side hustle and passion project: traveling, and sharing the best of the world with my clients without uncertainty or stress. CONTINUED >

Alana LaBissoniere, Travel Advisor OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

“I spent my days as a budding travel advisor training extensively (which included lots of the greatest kind of travel there is: tax deductible). I worked on getting my name out there, and networked my heart out (thanks in no small part to Eden Prairie’s wonderful Chamber of Commerce) – so much so that 80 percent of my current clientele are either repeats or referrals. “All that legwork confirmed what attracted me to travel consulting in the first place. It’s all about building relationships; relationships with your clients, who you must understand personally to serve them the best; and relationships with vendors, who, ultimately, can make or break the whole trip. “I’m a waterways specialist. I can put you on any ocean, sea, or river on earth (within reason; though I’m certain it’s lovely there, you’re quite on your own if you decide to embark on a scenic cruise down North Korea’s Taedong River). Once I’ve learned all about your globetrotting ambitions during a discovery call, Zoom, or in-person meeting, I’ll present you with multiple itineraries. Choose your favorite, help me understand any adjustments you’d like to make, and voilà! We’ll have your whole trip plotted out, just like that.

“Darwin’s old stamping ground is unlike anyplace else on earth; downright alien fauna, including tortoises that could easily be mistaken for steam locomotives.” 58

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

“I’ll help you avoid potentially trip-ruining errors. For example, if you take prescription medication, we’ll make sure your pills don’t attract unwarranted attention from foreign customs agents. And if you were unaware that you were contemplating doing something truly regrettable – such as taking that plant to Jamaica, where it is surprisingly illegal – then I’ll talk you right out of it.” Jamaican prison. Not a fun place, if you can believe it. You certainly won’t see any pictures of it accompanying this article. What you will see is a small sampling of the kinds of destinations Alana specializes in. “I just went on a cruise through the fjords,” Alana continued. “Breathtaking! If you’ve been to Alaska and thought it was beautiful, then you’re still totally unprepared for what awaits in Norway. You’ll wonder why so many Minnesotans’ ancestors left the place. “I often wonder the same thing about my own, because I adore every part of France. Sipping local vintages while floating down the dramatic Rhône? Devouring everything in sight in Lyon, the uncontested gastronomical center of the world? Gaping in awe at the majesty of Avignon’s Palais des Papes, which is the largest medieval Gothic palace ever built? And the south – the sunny and charming Mediterranean south, where no scenery would look out of place in a James Bond movie? C'est le paradis. “But I’m not Francophilic to a fault. I also love the Netherlands and its watercolor canals; the living-museum cities of Hungary;

every single country the endless blue ribbon of Danube unravels across, really. Wherever Europe takes you, I’ll see you throughout your voyage in high style. “And the same goes for the rest of the world! I recently trained on tours of the Galápagos, where environmental conservation is gospel. Rightly so, because Darwin’s old stamping ground is unlike anyplace else on earth; downright alien fauna, including tortoises that could easily be mistaken for steam locomotives. “I’m putting together a Land Down Under trip for a mother and son right this moment: Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns, followed by the quick float across to New Zealand. They’ll be awestruck by Lord of the Rings mountainscapes, as well as the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves which would be pitch black were it not for the millions of little bioluminescent bug larvae hiding out there. “Life’s too short to spend it all in Eden Prairie. Yours is also too busy to leave enough time for methodical, inspired travel planning. If you want to take the shortcut to your most memorable moments, then I’m right here and ready for you!” Don’t travel like some dogged fugitive, constantly wondering if you’ve booked the right cruise, hotel, and restaurant reservations. Don’t find yourself up that creek without a paddle when something goes haywire. Visit ALLTravelAdvisor.com, or call (612) 802-9785 to speak with Alana: your ticket out of this place!

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GAME SHOW ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

The Traveling Game Show Experience

STUDIO 62

PA RT Y P LA N N IN G | ENTE RTAIN ME N T

What time is it, folks?

IT’S GAME SHOW STUDIO TIME!

That’s right! Live at Eden Prairie Center, it’s the thrilling new game show sensation that’s sweeping the southwest metro! And the rules are simple: 1. Come on down with a group of six to 25 fun-seeking contestants, and 2. Have the time of your life!

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

Maybe it’s your annual corporate shindig. Maybe it’s your extended family’s holiday gathering. Maybe it’s your business, nonprofit organization, or church group’s attempt at entertaining the breeches clean off everyone in attendance. Doesn’t matter. It’s the BIG EVENT! And you’re hosting it someplace other than the mall. “Oh no!” you are no doubt thinking to yourself at this very instant. “How do I make my big event a BIG HIT without hosting it at Game Show Studio’s Eden Prairie Center location? By putting out lame board games? By teaching everyone how to knit, and then having them knit? By treating everyone to a two-hour slideshow of my recent trip to Ham Lake?” NO! What you want is the Game Show Studio Travel Edition. Simply pop open the figurative box and look on in awe at what happens next. Speakers pop out of thin air to fill the room with JAUNTY TUNES. A spectrum of studio lighting wraps your guests in TECHNICOLOR SPLENDOR. The large and impressive props requisite to play ‘Wheel of Wonder,’ ‘Name That Price,’ ‘Survey Showdown,’ ‘Clinko,’ and other immersive contests of skill and chance that strongly remind guests of game shows they’ve previously watched on television ALSO APPEAR. Finally, a loquacious, quick-witted, brightly blazered figure manifests at the forefront. They are your host, and they’re here to make sure you have a GREAT TIME! Your guests go bananas at the spectacle. They’re laughing. They’re bonding! They are genuinely engaged, and have forgotten all about their phones. They are having a blast!

THE REAL GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE, WHEREVER YOU ARE!

“If you’ve been to Eden Prairie Center in the past year and a half, then you’ve probably already noticed us across from the food court,” said Emma Polusny, co-owner of Game Show Studio locations in Eden Prairie and Roseville. “That’s where we treat groups as large as 80 to the authentic game show experience; essentially, everything short of the prizes, cameras, and live studio audience. CONTINUED >

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“But our studio’s not limited to the mall. We can deliver that same experience anywhere in Minnesota, and tailor it to small get-togethers and crowds of 1,500 alike. We can also customize our experience to suit any age group: from wiggly 7-year-olds all the way up to ‘still young at heart.’ “Bars. Restaurants. Churches. Trade shows. Senior centers. Corporate boardrooms. Lots of living rooms, too! The Game Show Studio has already become the life of the party in all of these places. If you want to see us at our grandest, then you ought to have come to our recent show at Grand Casino Hinckley. It was our biggest to date: three separate groups of 300, for which we furnished podiums, concert-grade speakers, full lighting effects, and every single game prop we have. Grand Casino even provided their own fabulous prizes, which elevated the experience from high spectacle to high stakes! “All the props in the world can’t create the passion and excitement that set the Game Show Studio apart. If you want big game show energy, then you’ve got to have a great host. That’s why we only hire improv comics and standup comedians who know how to work a room – people who are fast on their feet and roll with the punches, and intuit how to draw reluctant participants out of their shells. “Our hosts are very tactful, too. Want to keep the show clean as a whistle? It will be that way automatically. Want to venture into R-rated territory? If you and your guests set that pace, then our host will be right behind you. “Wherever you are, the Game Show Studio offers the perfect group activity and entertainment. People drop their reservations as soon as the first game’s underway, and feel strongly connected to the crowd all around them. We’ve received five-star reviews from guests who’d fully expected to be bored to tears by yet another dreary work party, only to have been blown away by the pageantry of it all!” A. It’s the ultimate thrill, and available for groups of all sizes anywhere in the great state of Minnesota. Q. What is the Game Show Studio? That’s correct! Visit GameShowStudio.com or call (612) 324-9444 today to book your event, or a private party or 60-minute game session at the Game Show Studio’s Eden Prairie Center location!

PA RT Y P LA N N IN G | ENTE RTAIN ME N T

OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/E D E N P R A I R I E

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We Build Confidence & Communication Our clinic provides speech and occupational therapy services to children and adolescents in a safe, compassionate, and caring environment so they can grow, learn, and build confidence.

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CULTURE ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

Through

CUISINE Leadership Begins With Understanding People The United States’ Latino population exceeded 68 million in 2024. Their total contribution to the GDP that same year? Greater than all of Japan: $4.4 trillion. That’s trillion, with a t. If you lead a business or other organization – and you’re reading this article in your mother tongue – then that presents a challenge. How do you connect with such valuable consumers? And how can you better incorporate such valuable employees into your operation while you’re at it? Paying lip service to pluralism is all well and good, but how do you actually put that ideal to good use? You hope to build an El Dorado, after all; not a Tower of Babel. Eden Prairie resident Amalia Moreno-Damgaard has answers. The Guatemala native, 20-year veteran of the international banking industry, award-winning author of two cookbooks, media personality, cofounder of Women Entrepreneurs of Minnesota, and first Latina president of her local National Association of Women Business Owners chapter also serves as a nexus to Latino culture at large. Her signature Culture Through Cuisine™ methodology expands how leaders think, build trust, and lead across cultures. “It was born out of my love for the purest forms of cultural ambassadorship: cooking, and storytelling,” said Amalia. “I came to some prominence by publishing Amalia’s Guatemalan Kitchen and Amalia’s Mesoamerican Table, as well as showcasing my ancestral cuisine on Fox9, Kare11, KSTP, MPR, Telemundo,

EXP E RT H E LP | EDUCATION

Univision, and WCCO CBS Minnesota. But the longer I stayed in the limelight, the more I sensed a pressing need to educate leadership on diversity and cultural synergies. “And now I do exactly that. By partnering with academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, professional associations, healthcare providers, and businesses – including multiple Fortune-ranked companies nationwide – I’m teaching leaders not just to embrace multiculturalism, but to thrive in it. “Latino culture is fundamentally different from America’s. This is a country of individualists; frontiersmen and women, who have historically blazed their own trails. Conversely, Latino culture is collectivistic. It revolves around family, collaboration, and supporting one another. “Is one of those cultures necessarily better than the other? Of course not! The world is a big, beautiful tapestry in which no thread is misplaced. That being said, they are very unalike – and after having lived in both for as long as I have, and traveling the world to broaden my views on diversity even further, I’m now here to help others bridge the gap. “Building trust. Celebrating differences. Listening with intentionality. Adaptability, resilience, reinvention, and every other value I fostered during my banking and entrepreneurial journeys. These all inspire me as I educate leadership on practical cultural intelligence: the ability to successfully navigate diverse personal contexts in professional and everyday life.

“I’m teaching leaders not just to embrace multiculturalism, but to thrive in it.” CONTINUED >

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“A large part of my work entails teaching current and future industry leaders how to truly connect with the fastest-growing consumer demographic in the United States. That goes beyond simply mirroring Latino culture. It requires genuine understanding of it, which can only be gained through curiosity, celebration, and close proximity. Businesses and other organizations that succeed at this gain an incalculable advantage in their respective sectors. Latinos not just see our reflection in their products, commercials, and other media. We’ll perceive them as authentic expressions of our values.

EXP E RT H E LP | EDUCATION

“I also help leaders forge closer understanding between themselves and their Latino team members. We explore commonalities between our two cultures, and identify the subtle nuances that make Latin America unique. It’s all in service of creating happier employees – regardless of where they hail from – as well as attracting the diverse talent that brings about real innovation. “I strive to be more than a liaison to Latino culture. I hope to serve as a nexus: a link between two worlds that are rapidly fastening together, who familiarizes people with concepts that may seem outright alien without some interpretation. Whether you seek my partnership in media and branding, my experience developing food and beverage brands, my expertise as an executive advisor, my talents as a global keynote speaker, or a virtual or in-person experience in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I’ll show you that the old adage is true. We truly are stronger together!” Visit AmaliaLLC.com or call (952) 270-4543 to learn more.

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ARTICLE BY DAVID SCHELLER

COFFEE, CAUSES & CONVERSATION THE EDEN PRAIRIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND HELPING PAWS UNITE THE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY

G IV IN G BAC K | L I FE + C ULT U RE

What is a nexus? A Japanese luxury car? No. You’re thinking of Ninfiniti. A nexus is a connection between people, things, or ideas. For example, Eden Prairie Lifestyle is your nexus to every business in the southwest metro worthy of your patronage. You’ll find many such nexuses in the commercial sector. You just happen to be holding the best one. Go ahead. Feel that high-quality paper between your thumb and forefinger. We made it from high-quality trees, just for you. The nonprofit sector, on the other hand, is comparably bereft of nexuses. That means it is regrettably easy for leaders of nonprofit organizations to feel like they are adrift at sea, except said sea is a protean imbroglio of challenges related to funding, recruitment, and community engagement. The Eden Prairie Community Foundation and Helping Paws are fixing that. “It used to be called ‘Coffee Klatch,’” said Emily Orr, executive director of the Foundation. “It was established by Mark Weber, one of my predecessors, and invited leaders of nonprofit, government, and other service-based organizations to convene and converse about their respective causes and challenges over coffee (or tea). It was also quite popular, as I received multiple requests to revive it upon my taking office last February. “I decided to do just that, and was fortunate to have the perfect ally right from the onset: Alyssa Golob,

executive director of Helping Paws which raises beautiful assistance dogs right here in town. Her intimate knowledge of nonprofit networking groups throughout the Twin Cities provided the foundation we needed to launch the successful reinvention of Coffee Klatch – now named ‘Coffee, Causes & Conversation,’ primarily to accommodate those who’ve never heard of a ‘klatch’ before. “It’s as casual as casual can be. We gather from 8:30 to 9:30am on the last Monday of each month at a rotating location – Peoples Organic during our inaugural meeting, followed by Helping Paws in July – where we discuss challenges we are presently confronting and explore potential solutions together. And it’s proven to be quite the brain trust! Having already welcomed Ruth Kewitsch of True Friends, Molly Malone of Eden Prairie Schools, Pat MulQueeny of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, Joan Palmquist of the Eden Prairie Housing Alliance, and Paja Xiong of the city of Eden Prairie, I can confidently say that Coffee, Causes & Conversation encapsulates all the experience nonprofit leaders would need to weather nearly any storm. “Coffee, Causes & Conversation may be new, but it can already claim some successes. Helping Paws owes their new partnership with Reach for Resources of Edina to the ideas we all tossed around. Alyssa repaid the favor by sharing her expertise on event planning, which has attracted new donors to our members’ various fundraisers.

CONTINUED >

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“That’s the power of meeting in person to share organic conversation. We speak freely, and assemble frequently enough to keep abreast of the rapidly evolving nonprofit landscape – where obstacles you could not have foreseen one month become the talk of the town the next. All of our members got their full fill of Zoom meetings in 2020, and appreciate these opportunities to connect face to face with their peers. It gives them a greater sense of belonging to the very same community they’ve committed to serve.

G IV IN G BAC K | L I FE + C ULT U RE

“The Chamber already goes above and beyond uniting and uplifting local businesses. We’ve nothing to offer to entrepreneurs and other industry leaders that Pat and his team aren’t already. That being said, if you would like to volunteer your own business as the spot for an upcoming Coffee, Causes & Conversation, then we would be delighted to have you speak for a few minutes about your support for the nonprofit sector!” Coffee, Causes & Conversation is inviteonly, but everyone whose job doesn’t chiefly involve mercantilism is invited. Email emilyorr@epcommunityfoundation.org to join the mailing list! EPCommunityFoundation.org HelpingPaws.org

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INDE P E NDE N T. P E R S ON A L I Z E D. A U T HE N T IC . We put your interests first. Always. Contact us to learn how stewardship of your financial life is done.

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SAVORY SOURDOUGH SLICES ELEVATE YOUR FALL SOURDOUGH WITH THESE SIMPLE, SATISFYING TOPPINGS

ARTICLE BY KIT GARROTT PHOTOGRAPHY BY BONNER MORGAN Sourdough has seemingly taken over the world of bread. Those blessed with a family sourdough starter had a jump on the naturally fermented trend. For those still deciding whether to dive into the world of proofing and kneading, great sourdough loaves can be found at local bakeries. These shops may offer seasoned French bread toasts, a bagged and ready-to-eat option - no toasting required. Here are two ways to serve your toasted sourdough slices this fall, but the options are endless!

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TOASTED MEDITERRANEAN INGREDIENTS

• Either homemade or store-bought roasted red pepper hummus - spicy hummus is a great option, too! • Feta cheese • Olives

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Spread your hummus, sprinkle with feta cheese and top with olives of your choice. Add salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon to taste!

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Cadence Chiropractic Motion Is Life 5K/1 Mile 6409 City W Pkwy #105, Eden Prairie | 9:30 AM The Cadence Chiropractic Motion Is Life fundraiser is back! Arrive at 9:30am and prepare to run or walk the 5K or 1-mile route at 10. All funds raised go to Pet Haven: Minnesota’s first foster-based rescue, which will host a live pet adoption event alongside other featured vendors. Register online today! CadenceChiroMN.com OCTOBER 17TH

Fall Festival at The Mustard Seed 10000 Great Plains Blvd, Chaska | 11:00 AM Pumpkin painting! Face painting! A fun petting zoo chock full of affable and highly pettable animals! Tacos La Catrina and Eagles Concessions food trucks! The Children’s Entrepreneur Market, showcasing what creative and enterprising children can get up to. Plenty of other family-friendly activities to boot! Event goes until 3pm. TheMustardSeedInc.com OCTOBER 3 0 TH

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Twin Cities Young Professionals Summit 6700 Washington Ave S, Eden Prairie | 7:45 AM Are you ready to elevate your career, expand your network, and embark on a journey of personal and professional growth like never before? Look no further than the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce’s Twin Cities Young Professionals Summit – the ultimate all-day conference at Starkey that will redefine your career path! Event goes until 3:30pm. TCYPSummit.com

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