Most Requested Recipes From Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth Blend Ingredients With History

Dec 1, 2014

New Cookbook Includes famous Chicken, Creamy Coleslaw and Buttered Noodles Recipes

Frankenmuth, MI – November 6, 2014 – When Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth Executive Chef John Zehnder reads a recipe book he is more interested in the story behind the recipe.  In his third cookbook Zehnder brings together the most requested restaurant recipes with Zehnder family stories that include anecdotes about well-known guests including automotive leaders and other celebrities.  Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth — A Collection of Zehnder’s Most Iconic Recipes, offers 30 recipes in a spiral bound 63-page book and retails for $9.98 plus tax.

“Today people who purchase recipe books want more than just a list of ingredients and directions,” said executive Chef Zehnder.  “After a great deal of research we knew that the story behind the recipe captivates foodies and home cooks.  We decided to incorporate little known family and restaurant stories to set the stage for our iconic menu favorites.”  Zehnder also includes a story about the Italian side of the Zehnder family, the Ardussi’s, and offers up two family favorite recipes, Ardussi Spaghetti and Ardussi Red Wine Salad Dressing.

The new cookbook is available at the Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth Gift Shop and can also be purchased on line at www.zehndersstore.com.

Automotive Giants Visit Zehnder’s
Henry Ford made the 90 mile drive from Dearborn, Mich. with his young family to enjoy a chicken dinner with all the traditional Zehnder trimmings. When the Ford open air touring car pulled up to the restaurant it caused quite a sensation.  When John Delorean was with General Motors he also brought his family for chicken dinners. Delorean favored the popular Zehnder’s Sautéed Chicken Livers on most every visit. The cookbook includes the chicken and chicken livers recipes. Lee Iacocca could be found standing in line and not asking for special favors; he liked sitting in the Tap Room so he could smoke a cigar.

Favorite Sweet Treat
When actor Will Geer was performing in a nearby city, he was a regular guest at Zehnder’s during his two week run.  What was TV’s Grandpa Walton’s favorite menu item?  Rhubarb Crunch – he said it tasted exactly like his grandmother’s recipe. The new cookbook includes several favorite dessert recipes favored by restaurant guests.

Farm to Table
“The Farm to Table movement has been alive and well at Zehnder’s for many, many years, “said Zehnder.  “We also take great pride in using Michigan products as much as possible including seasonal fruits and vegetables, coffee, sugar, flour and more.” The new cookbook includes a section on squash – Zehnder’s uses nearly 50 tons of Blue Hubbard Squash every year that is grown at a local farm. During an average year Zehnder’s guests consume 900,000 pounds of chicken, 640 tons of cabbage, 180,000 pounds of mashed potatoes, 130,000 pounds of assorted vegetables, 40 tons of locally grown squash, 17,800 pounds of Michigan-roasted coffee, 26,000 gallons of ice cream, and 150,000 loaves of bread made in the Zehnder’s bakery.

Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, the 1,500 seat family restaurant located in Frankenmuth, Mich., was ranked number one in the number of people served among all independent restaurants in the US according to Restaurant Business magazine’s Web site, www.restaurantbusinessonline.com.  The popular family restaurant served 967,636 guests with a guest check average of $14 in 2013.  Additionally, Zehnder’s was one of the top 100 grossing independent restaurants in the country last year.

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