NEWINGTON, Conn., Oct. 15, 2007 – To introduce Hartford area customers to Stew Leonard's freshly-prepared holiday foods, the Newington store will be holding a "Taste of Thanksgiving Holiday Open House" on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11 from Noon until 4:00 PM.

A cornucopia of sampling stations will be set up in the indoor Garden Center area of the store (right after the Farmer's Market) to offer customers ideas for their holiday entertaining menus and give them an opportunity to taste the dishes. Chefs and team members will be on hand to answer customer questions, offer suggestions on menu planning and to take holiday catering orders.

"Because the store is new to the area, many customers may not realize that Stew Leonard's offers an array of freshly-prepared holiday foods -- from soups, starters, sides and stuffing, to freshly marinated oven-ready turkeys and spiral glazed hams, dinner rolls and desserts. Our holiday catering menu offers a bounty of options that any host facing a house full of guests would be grateful for," said Newington store executive Chef Chaz Fable.

Here is a preview of some of the dishes that will be featured:

• Stew Leonard's top-selling cheeses: Vintage Irish Cheddar, St. Andre and Stilton Blue.
• Sumptuous sides, including sweet potato mousse, butternut squash with sage, Stew's signature stuffing and mashed potatoes whipped with fresh butter and spices.
• Award-winning desserts, including Lyman Orchards apple pie, along with fresh-baked pumpkin pie and fresh fruit tarts.

The Newington store is located at 3475 Berlin Turnpike and is open from 8:00 A.M. until 10:00 P.M., seven days a week (closed Christmas Day). Stew Leonard's other stores are located in Norwalk and Danbury, Conn. and Yonkers, NY., with additional stores planned in Orange, Conn. and East Farmingdale, N.Y. For more information, visit Stew Leonard’s website at www.stewleonards.com.