West Windsor meals market celebrates collaboration with equipment firm for brand new culinary heart

WEST WINDSOR — A branding marriage between Whole Foods Market and Miele appliances was celebrated with a bread-breaking ceremony Thursday at the market’s 700 square foot Culinary Center that opens May 4.

Once home to the Whisk & Spoon inside the market, the new Culinary Center will accommodate demonstrations for 25 people and hands-on classes for 15 once it makes its debut. But Thursday was reserved for greeting Reinhard Zinkann, co-owner and managing director of Miele Global, the world’s largest family-owned and operated appliance company. Its headquarters are located north of the market on Route 1 in South Brunswick.

With a suite of Miele appliances as a backdrop, Zinkann and other officials ate lunch in the glass-enclosed room that will host a week of “sneak-peek” demonstrations beginning Wednesday. Walk-in tastings of protein bars, granola, flavored cream cheese and artisan breads will be held in the Culinary Center, with no registration required and seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lance McAllister, the store “team leader,” kicked off the bread-breaking greeting.

“We are thrilled to partner with Miele and to share our passion for food with our community,” said McAllister.

The market has a May 4-5 weekend agenda planned for the Culinary Center’s grand opening at the market on Route 1 in the Windsor Green shopping center. From 10 am to 4 pm on both days, there will be activities that include demonstrations, music and bread breaking.

On May 4, local author Becky Diamond will bake cookies from her cookbook, “Mrs. Goodfellow: The story of America’s First Cooking School,” beginning at 10:15 am The open house classes will continue throughout the day with steamed shrimp at 12:05 pm; healthy bruschetta by Christina Pirello at 1 pm; risotto making with Whole Foods chef Felipe Katchucka at 2 pm; Gougeres (French cheese puffs) with Whole Foods culinary instructor Chris Crawford at 2:55 pm; and easy desserts with Valerie Papparazzo at 3:25 pm

No reservations are necessary, but seating will be on a first come basis.

Whole Foods already has a Wellness Center operating inside the market at its Windsor Green location. It promotes weight loss and good health through education and nutritional values.

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