People’s Choice Award Goes to Victor’s Restaurant of Bel-Aire for best Chili and Chocolate

It was a delicious day in Erie, Pennsylvania on Sunday, February 10th.  SafeNet’s 7th Annual Chili Cook-off with the addition of a Chocolate Lovers Celebration.
The fundraiser was put together to support SafeNet, Erie’s Domestic Violence Safety Network.  Local restaurants, bakeries and caterers joined together to compete for the title of Erie’s Best Chili & Chocolate confections.  Everything was freshly prepared, and made-from-scratch by these great community eateries.

 

“I am proud to support SafeNet because of the work they do in our community.  When people close their doors at home anything can happen, and SafeNet is an organization that provides safety for those in need” states, K.J. Schwab, Vice-President of Operations for The Clarion Lake Erie Hotel and Bel-Aire Conference Center which includes in-house Victor’s Restaurant.

SafeNet is a not for profit organization of dedicated professionals and community volunteers to ending domestic violence, affirming human dignity and delivering comprehensive direct services to victims of domestic violence in Erie County.  For more information visit:  http://www.safeneterie.org/
 
“From every city and township in the area, victims and their accompanying children come to us seeking safety and shelter from physical abuse and threats of violence occurring in the home. We open our doors to hundreds of abuse victims each year with compassion and understanding. SafeNet embraces inclusiveness and knows that victimization is not just about women and not just about heterosexual relationships.  Women and men of any culture, age or sexual preference may suffer from abuse and SafeNet provides sanctuary, support, education and advocacy” states, Linda Lyons King, SafeNet’s Executive Director.

Victor’s Restaurant was awarded “People’s Choice Award” for Erie's best chili and chocolate. The chili is a recipe from Victor’s Sous Chef, Don Harned.  It is has been given the name “Black Gold Chili which is made with a variety of ingredients from chipotle to coffee.  It will be listed on the menu and served daily for all to enjoy.  Also, the chocolate were assorted truffles created by Chef, Heidi May.  In the past, Victor’s has also won the Perry Burger Award for the best burger in town, and has been on Erie’s Best Wine List since 2004.

Victor’s offers casual elegance providing the ambiance of a big city, with all the local flavoring and fresh ingredients customers come to expect.  Victor’s has been a local favorite since inception in 1983.  Currently, Victor’s is an eclectic, chic restaurant with upscale sports décor and a menu that can satisfy everyone’s palate and is located in the elegant The Clarion Lake Erie and Bel-Aire Conference Center on 2800 W. 8th Street in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The Battle of the “Road Warrior”

It is 5:30 AM, and thousands of sales/marketing reps wearing dark grey and pinstripe suits carrying their briefcase reading Sunday night’s emails on their phones getting ready to travel to this week’s destination for business.  They are called "road warriors" because they battle other “warriors” through airports, renting cars, eating on the run and experiencing all kinds of hotels to rest their battled scarred body.  This is a tough and dedicated group that leaves their families and comfort of their homes for 40 weeks of the year with nothing to show, but a paycheck at the end of each month.  If their trips were successful most of the year, their reward will be a hefty bonus come year end, and allow them to start all over the doing the same thing the following year.  That is why it is so important to find a great place at the end of each day to recharge their batteries and wind down in a comfortable stress free environment that gives them the same relaxation they have back home.

 If service is below standard, and amenities don’t exist in their hotel of choice, you can bet their sales will not be strong and their battle will be lost.  If the pool is not the right temperature, and there isn’t a place to work out, their chiseled bodies will turn to flab, making it tougher to clash with the physically fit.  If the food which is served is no better than what can be bought out of a vending machine or local gas station then these warriors are at a disadvantage to their counterparts who are receiving good nutrition. These are the perils of a “Road Warrior”.

A wise man once said, “If you stay in a cheap no frills hotel, you will be surrounded by people who don’t value themselves.  However, if you take care of yourself, you will have energy the next day, and be in the company of like-minded “warriors”.
 
“Warriors” want to walk through the door of the hotel and be greeted with a warm soothing smile and even called out by their name.  They want to open the door to their residence for the week, and know that the rooms have been carefully set up to meet their expectations.  They want to be able to dine the in-house restaurant, and savor food that was prepared so that each bite was better than the last.  And to top it off, they look to quench their thirst with a nice selection of suds that allows them to boastfully invite guest to share in their delight. There has to be free wireless with a strong connection, so they are prepared to communicate at a moment’s notice, and if they are in need of any “extra” attention they will be provided such with a simple reply of, “My pleasure, is there anything else I can do to make your stay better?”  These are just some of the needs to keep a “Road Warrior” in topnotch shape for the battles that lay before them.


The best hotels are the ones that cater to the men and women who are conducting business, and the couple who are enjoying a nice vacation.  However, neither part will know of each other because they feel their stay was designed especially for them.

The Clarion Lake Erie and Bel-Aire Conference Center located at 2800 West 8th Street in Erie, Pennsylvania is the exact place that meets all of the “Road Warriors” needs.  It is a three generation family owned property that understands the desires of their guest, and they pride themselves on exceeding every expectation.  You can see the Schwab’s, the owners of this specialized hotel, days and nights inspecting their service assuring “Excellence” for everyone. This award winning hotel is truly Erie’s finest hotel.