FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 4, 2013)—Bennett’s Fresh Roast in downtown Fort Myers plans to unveil two new donut-inspired lunch creations for National Donut Day on Friday, June 7.
Debuting this Friday will be two all-new, different and delicious lunch offerings by the favored shop that brought Southwest Florida maple bacon donuts and Kopi Luwak coffee.
Bennett’s new Chicken & Donut is a fresh-made Bennett’s Donut (without icing or glaze), halved and smothered in a fresh homemade chicken gravy. The gravy is made with fresh house-roasted and brined premium chopped chicken breast meat, cream, seasonings and vegetables including diced carrots, green beans and corn. It is served piping hot with a side of Bennett’s brand new homemade Pennsylvania Dutch pepper slaw.
The second new creation is Bennett’s Donut Dog. This is made with a “long john” donut split down the middle and loaded with a Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Hot Dog, Bennett’s homemade chili, BBQ sauce, honey mustard and cheddar cheese. This dog is served with Bennett’s exclusive Grandma Utz kettle cooked potato chips.
“Our Donut Dog was actually adapted from an item we made on Food Network Canada’s Donut Showdown earlier this year,” said Bennett’s owner Bob Grissinger. “We are excited the show will soon be airing on Food Network in the U.S.”
Grissinger was one of 42 fiercely competitive donut pros from across North America featured on the show. Donut Showdown pairs professional donut makers to take the iconic fried dough delicacy to new heights, dishing out their wackiest creations in hopes of devouring the competition and taking home a $10,000 grand prize at the end of every episode. Donut Showdown premiered Tuesday, April 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT exclusively on Food Network Canada.
In each episode of Donut Showdown, the battle begins with three colorful competitors tasked with creating a batch of donuts using three bizarre and unusual secret ingredients. The judges get a taste of each offering, critiquing each donut on taste, presentation and creativity.
The Chicken & Donut is priced at $5.95, and the Donut Dog is $4.95.
National Donut Day occurs the first Friday of June each year, succeeding the Donut Day event created by The Salvation Army in 1938. National Donut Day started as a fundraiser for Chicago’s Salvation Army to help the needy during the Great Depression, and to honor The Salvation Army “Lassies” of World War I, who served donuts to soldiers.
Located off West First Street at 2011 Bayside Parkway, Bennett’s is housed in a bright and colorful 2,000-square-foot shop inside a lovingly restored 1943 former home.
In addition to fresh roasted coffee and hand-cut-from-scratch donuts, Bennett’s also offers fresh desserts from Bob Grissinger’s own recipe book including praline bread pudding, lemon bars and pies, giving area residents an alternative for afternoon snacks. Bennett’s also features packaged whole bean or ground coffees, breakfast muffins, strata, oatmeal and breakfast sandwiches. On the weekends, Bennett’s Strata (a layered baked breakfast dish) is a regular sellout. Tea lovers can choose from a large variety of Harney & Sons Fine Teas.
Additional lunch offerings including paninis, soups, sandwiches and four signature salads are available Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bennett’s is open Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, call Bennett’s Fresh Roast at 239-332-0077 or visit www.BennettsFreshRoast.com.
