When the fall season falls upon Southwest Florida, many local farmer's markets return. Included is Lakes Park in Fort Myers. The market opened yesterday (Wednesday) for a new season and the by the size of the crowd, it was a welcomed return. Many of the regular vendors have returned. In addition, there were lots of new things to discover. One of those vendors is SMAC. Their creamy mac-n-cheese new to Fort Myers Farmer's Market is this week's Fabulous Find.
SMAC is the brainchild of a Sly and Yo, short for Sylvester and Yolanda. After retiring to Southwest Florida some ten years ago, they decided to try something new. Their focus is 100% on a classic American comfort food, mac-n-cheese. They always have a traditional version. It is a blend of six cheeses, the combination of which is a closely guarded secret. It is decadent, delicious and addicting. You have been warned.
I also tried the buffalo chicken which is a little smoky and a little sweet. He ships in the sauce and once again, won't reveal its secret ingredients. Cajun mac-n-cheese has bit of sausage. It also has a kick to it. The hot cheese seams to stretch for miles.. It is comfort food at its best. In addition, it is good reheated the next day
You might think that the business name, SMAC, is a play on words for lip smacking' good. Or some similar sentiment. And while that is appropriate, Sly just grins when he confesses. "It stands for Sylvester's Mac And Cheese."
Farmers market mac-n-cheese is a a Fabulous Find
Farmer's Market Mac-n-cheese
Twila Mae’s Is A Fort Myers Farmer’s Market Fabulous Find
Twila Mae's is a Fort Myers Farmer's Market fabulous find. You can also find this quant little stand at markets in Englewood, Naples, Marco Island, Sanibel, Venice, Boca Grande, Babcock Ranch and more Southwest Florida locations. You could say ole Twila Mae gets around. In a good way of course.
Twila Mae's is a family owned business that specializes in chicken salad. There are ten everyday types of chicken salad. However, there is nothing really "everyday" about them. The flavors range from classic to jalapeño and pineapple and almost everything in between. There are also a variety of limited edition, seasonal flavors. Traditional Cranberry is the best seller. All are hand made fresh daily.
Who is Twila Mae?
Twila Mae is Landon Steveson's grandmother. He and wife Katie started this business in 2020 using Twila Mae's original chicken salad recipe. Anytime there was a large family gathering, she was the one hosting and cooking. "That is how she showed love to the family," says Landon. He waned to honor her by using her name and face for the business. In addition, Landon said he wanted to carry on her legacy of bringing people together over food. She is 85 years old and lives in rural Missouri.
Twila Mae's has grown quite a bit in the last three years. The Stevenson's have six full time employees and a small storefront in Fort Myers where they make the salads. If you can't make it to one of the 16 farmer's markets they attend, you can stop by the store. You can also place orders ahead. The store is open Monday through Friday. However, it's more fun to find the stand at farmer's market and sample from the little woven baskets full of the current flavors. Warning, it will be hard to pick just one.I get my fix at the Lake's Park Farmer's Market on Wednesdays.
Twila Mae's is a Fort Myers Farmer's Market Fabulous Find. Here are a few photos so you'll know what to look for.
