June 7, 2023

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Be Inspired By Food

East Windsor Resident Fulfills Aspiration By Opening Broad Brook Pizza

EAST WINDSOR, CT — From the time he could very first see around a stove, Bobby Miner has been fascinated with cooking now, he has returned to his unique hometown and opened his have cafe in the coronary heart of the village of Broad Brook. It is properly named Broad Brook Pizza.

The youngest of 7 youngsters, Miner initially lived in Wide Brook, where by his father ran Consolidated Cigar. His family members moved to Enfield when he was 5, and he commenced getting a taste of the workforce at an early age.

“When I was 10, I labored at Grassmere Region Club,” he reported in a recent job interview with Patch. “I put a potato on a plate, picked up cigarette butts in the parking lot, took the flags out, then went across the road and worked on a vegetable farm. When I was all around 17, I labored in the Grassmere kitchen area for banquets, and generally beloved it.”

His desire of becoming a restaurateur was place on maintain for a amount of several years, when he moved to Florida and turned a food and beverage purchaser for a concept restaurant. He also started detailing and tension washing organizations in advance of returning to his indigenous condition.

He labored as a manager at Valvoline in West Hartford for 13 decades, but his culinary aspirations returned.

“I bounced all-around carrying out odd work opportunities, but I resumed catering on the side, and in the last 6 or seven years, the passion returned,” he said.

Very last year, Miner aided out Elaine Koumlelis, affectionately identified as “Momma,” at Village Pizza II at 147 Major St., which she ran with her daughter Maryanne and son Peter. With the loved ones matriarch all set to retire, Miner seized the chance to fulfill his lifelong aspiration.

“I might always required my individual location, as I might often manufactured dollars for other men and women and was very prosperous at it,” he stated. “We labored on this deal for six or 7 months before it arrived to be.”

Not much function needed to be performed right before Wide Brook Pizza turned a truth. Miner acquired a new refrigerator and freezer, and immediately after opening on March 24, he purchased extra pans as demand was so superior that he occasionally had to near early thanks to managing out of product or service.

“It has been crazy outrageous,” he understated.

A single carryover from the Koumlelis household has been Momma’s recipes for meatballs and sauce. In addition, the restaurant receives fresh rolls and bread from Strano’s Bakery.

In addition to pizza, menu choices involve grinders, lasagna and pasta dinners. Miner said he will be including specialty pizzas, noting he just lately offered a chicken cordon bleu pie and a cauliflower crust steak and cheese pizza.

“The cauliflower crust has been massive I can barely hold it in stock,” he said.

The restaurant, which has a modest dining place, is a real relatives affair, as Miner’s daughter Autumn is effective numerous times a week. Compared with most compact eateries, Broad Brook Pizza is open up 7 times a 7 days from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Shipping is available to all of East Windsor and choose locations of southern Enfield.

Irrespective of remaining open for a lot less than two weeks, the store is now making a base of normal shoppers.

Life time Broad Brook resident Gail Gahr informed Patch, “My partner Jack and I attended the grand opening of Wide Brook Pizza. We have requested every single solitary 7 days given that they opened and are really happy with their food items and services. We have had their pizza, grinders and foods. We are so pleased they are below in town. Everyone demands to check them out and assistance them you will never be let down. Bobby and crew are incredibly friendly and pleased to be sure to.”

Shopper gratification is at the major of Miner’s wish record.

“I want to make absolutely sure all people will get a great solution at a excellent cost,” he explained. “We’re hoping to do big points in a tiny place!”

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