Columbus, Ohio’s historic North Market recently hosted its annual Apron Gala as part of the market’s 150th anniversary celebration.



Held each year as a fundraiser, the Apron Gala supports North Market and its nonprofit operator, the North Market Development Authority, whose mission centers on preserving the historic market while fostering local entrepreneurship and independent businesses.



North Market dates back to 1876, when it opened as one of several public markets serving Columbus. Today, it remains the city’s only original public market still operating at its historic location.



Inside, nearly every vendor had a small bite to try. Here's what we were able to sample:



- American Nut Company
Bacon Pepper Marmalade Bites with bacon pepper marmalade, whipped cream cheese and Rosemary's Bar mix.



- Barrel & Boar
Piggy Smash with slow smoked pulled pork, house slaw, Carolina BBQ, pickled red onion, and jalapeno cornbread crouton



- The Barrel & Bottle
Dumpster Diving with wild Maine blueberry infused watershed four peel gin spritz



- Black Radish Creamery
It's Not Cheese Cake! with shortbread cookie, Black Radish Creamery farmers cheese, orange curd, spiced pecans and edible flowers



- Brezel
Hot Honey & Roasted Onion Melt with garlic herb butter, marinara, mozzarella, colby jack, North Market Spoices hot honey seasoning, roasted red onions and pretzel salt



- Buckeye Donuts
Red Velvet, Blueberry or Old Fashioned Donuts



- Bubbles Tea & Juice Co.
Berry Bubble Burst with orange sorbet, pomegranate popping bubbles and mint leaf; Coco Kiwi Splash with coconut sorbet with kiwi popping bubbles and mint leaf



- Caroline’s Sandwiches
Pate Croquettes with pate, whole grain aioli, pickled pepper jam and cornichons



- COLO Market & Oyster Bar
Oyster Ajo Blanco & Chive Oil with oyster on the half shell, almond, garlic EVOO, brad, sherry vinegar and green grapes; Bluefin Tuna Meatballs with bluefin tuna mixed with traditional Cicilian herbs & spices simmered in tomato sauce



- Dos Hermanos
Aguachile de Camaron with chilled shrimp marinated in bright lime, chile, cucumber, red onion and cilantro, served as a fresh, spicy coastal Mexican bite; Churro Fries with sweet milk



- Firdous Express
Mediterranean Favorites with hummus, jalapeno jummus, falafael olives, za'atar pita; Mini Gyro with sliced gyro meat, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and house sauce; Mini Chicken Shawarma with seasoned chicken, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and house sauce; Greek Fries with fresh cut fries, feta and house sauce



- Flavors of India
Chicken Makhani with spiced tomato and butter sauce, served with basmati rice; Chickpeas with spiced tomato sauce and basmati rice; Cabbage & Peas with seasoned cabbage and peas, served with basmati rice; Saag Paneer with spiced spinach and cheese, served with basmati rice

- Fox’s Bagel & Deli
Crab Rangoon Bagel with crab rangoon cream cheese topped with crispy fried wontons and a drizzle of housemade sweet chili sauce served on a freshly baked mini challah roll



- Green Olive Company
Whipped Feta Phyllo Crowns with dill olive oil and pomegranate glaze; Pomegranate Lemon Balsamic Spritz



- Holy Crepes
De France; Leap of Indulgence; Strawberry & Chocolate Skewer



- Hoyo’s Kitchen
Beef Sambosa; Chicken Sambusa; Vegetable Sambusa



- Hubert’s Polish Kitchen
Kielbasa with a beef and pork spiced with garlic, black pepper and whole mustard seed



- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Summery Berry Parfait with Summer Verries Parfait ice cream, strawberry sauce and whipped cream



- Lan Viet Market
Nem Hai San which is seafood and pork spring rolls; Bun Cha Hanoi which is Hanoi dipping noodles; Che Viet is Vietnamese fruit cocktail



- Littleton’s Market Bakery
Palmier as a French puff pastry with mascarpone mousse and poached pear; Beef Tartare served on focaccia



- Marlow’s Cheesesteaks
The Marlow's Breakfast Bowl with hasbrowns, steak, egg, cheese, onion and pico de gallo



- Mini-Super Produce Bodega
Mini-Super's famous fresh-made Guacamole



- Momo Ghar
Lama Ko Baara with mild chicken or spicy chicken



- Nida’s Sushi
Khao Soi



- North Market Spices
Jerk Chicken Tacos with chicken tacos featuring North Market Spices Jamaican Jerk Seasoning; Jerk Jackfruit Tacos with jackfruit featuring North Market Spices Jamaican Jerk Seasoning



- Pastaria
Stuffed Mushrooms with chicken sausage and jalapeno cheddar cheese; Chicken Picatta - cream sauce with lemon & capers; Cannoli Dip



- The Pastry Factory
Burnt Honey Creme Brulee with creamy custard and caramelized honey



- Sarefino’s Pizzeria
I don't believe they had an offering



- Satori Ramen Bar
Yuzu Ceviche with raw seafood marinated in yuzu; Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki as a savory layered pancake



- Stauf’s Coffee Roasters
Microlot Mexico El Izote Geshan Cold Brew with flavors of burnt sugar, raisin and dark chocolate; Red Fruit Cocktail Iced Team with herbal blend with orange peel & cranberry, infused with fresh fruit



- Tajine House
Moroccan Meatball with chicken meatballs and plum tomato sauce; Potato salad with onions, parsley and vinaigrette dressing



Have you been?

Creamy Delicious Donuts and Diner is a small local spot in Buckhannon that combines - wait for it - donuts with a diner-style menu. The most interesting aspect of this place is that it's located in the Corridor H Tire building, which makes for an odd pair. The menu features a variety of donuts - glazed, cream-filled, eclairs, maple bars and cheese danishes. Sandwiches include pizza roll, pepperoni roll, ham & cheese roll, grilled cheese, hot dogs, etc. Breakfast items include biscuits & gravy, bacon egg & cheese sandwiches, eggs, homefries, etc. I ordered a couple donuts and a pepperoni roll. The blueberry cake donut and the cream-filled one were both decent, but not quite as soft as I'd prefer. Being in Buckhannon, though, I was most excited about the Pepperoni roll. We all know that in this area, ground pepperoni reigns supreme. I do enjoy this version of a pepperoni roll, but it's hard to compete with The Donut Shop/Spot. Grade: B

Calming Goat Coffee Co. is a small, local coffee shop in Point Pleasant that has a playful “goat” theme throughout its menu and branding. The shop leans into specialty drinks and creative seasonal items — things like flavored lattes, cold brews, matcha drinks and more. The décor leans into a modern farmhouse style with modern lighting, metal seating, wood tones, and lots of little decorative touches. For food, their offerings include hot sandwiches and paninis, wraps, bagel sandwiches, and flatbreads, along with lighter options like protein bowls, egg bites and soups that rotate depending on the time of year. They also have a playful “boujee toast” selection that elevates simple toast with creative toppings, plus grab-and-go lunch items for convenience. On the sweeter side, the bakery program is a major highlight, with daily rotating pastries such as cookies, brownies, scones, danishes and occasional specialty desserts inspired by trending flavors. So, I wanted to try a little of everything - drinks, food & bakery! Let's get into it. I ordered a strawberry banana smoothie, which is basic, but also a sure-fire winner. Lightly sweet and fruity. I also did a rice krispie treat that was sticky and satisfying. We didn't really do rice krispie treats growing up - maybe that's why I love them - but I always pick one up when I see them for sale. The avocado toasted bagel had avocado, everything seasoning, cream cheese & balsamic glaze. It was simple, but nice. Creamy but acidic. Good balance. Grade: A

Torchy’s Tacos is a Texas-born fast-casual taco chain that developed a huge cult following for oversized, creative tacos with names like “Trailer Park,” “Brushfire,” and “Trailer Trashy.” The company started as a single food trailer in Austin in 2006, founded by chef Mike Rypka, and has since expanded to more than 120 locations across the U.S. while keeping its edgy “Damn Good” branding and quirky vibe. The “Democrat” is one of the signature tacos at Torchy’s Tacos and is probably their most famous traditional-style taco. It’s made with beef barbacoa, avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro, diced onions, lime and tomatillo salsa on a corn tortilla. The barbacoa is tender and flavorful, while the tomatillo salsa adds a fresh, tangy bite that keeps it from feeling too heavy. The avocado makes everything creamy, and the cotija gives it a salty finish. An interesting sauce or unique crunchy addition would have made this a homerun for me. Grade: B