Meet Us: Max Lemley

Meet Us
Max Lemley

Before Chef Alexa and Sam were the third generation to operate the family business, Chef Alexa's dad, Max and his wife Christine were the second generation. Since 1968, he has served innumerable people his delicious foods through Lemleys' Catering. While Chef Alexa and Sam were growing up, he taught them the importance of customer service and real food. He can still be found dropping in to make sure that we are all doing our best and chatting with visitors.

Now, Max owns and operates a spice and gourmet food business that does private labeling. We bet that you have enjoyed his recipes (but we can't tell you what brands are his creation)! All of our  spices are from Max. 

In his spare time, Max is involved in community activities. He is an active member of the Mayor's Recycling Task Force, Sierra Club, Columbus Co-Operative Grocery, and many other groups. He is a past president of the Indiana Restaurant Association and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. 

Did you know that Chef Alexa has a sister? Max's oldest daughter lives in New York and travels the world with her own show, Burlesque to Broadway. 

Last month, Max fell while helping us install the walk-in cooler at our new place. He broke his elbow and hip. He didn't expect to celebrate his 79th birthday in the hospital. We are thrilled to report that he is home from the hospital and has been exceeding his doctors' expectations for recovery.  Max has even decreed that September 26 will be Elbow Appreciation Day and has been organizing a special day at the Artisan Foodworks Market. 

Christmas in July

Share the love this holiday season by investing in us this month

Receive a 100% return when you help our business grow

Christmas already?

Yes, it is that time of year...for our 4th annual Christmas in July fund-raiser. Thank you to everyone who has invested in us over the years. Because of you, we have been able to build 240sweet without outside investors or loans with high interest rates. Last year, we were able to purchase a new office printer, buy a purple bus, and plan our move to a space that is 3 times larger because of you.

What is Christmas in July?
Each year, we hold this fund-raiser to make improvements to our operations. You invest in us this month by purchasing vouchers in varying increments. In November and December, those vouchers are worth double the amount that you "loan" to us. We use your investment to grow. It is like Christmas for us--and you save on wonderful, handmade gifts for your clients, family, and friends.

How do I participate?
It is easy! Just order vouchers amount from our webstore or by calling Sam at 812.372.9898.

Our Christmas in July Wish List
We asked our 240sweet crew what they would like...

 
Becca wants wire shelving units
When Sam and Chef Alexa go out of town to push puffs, they take the wire racks from our 240sweet Studio. If we had a couple more, we could put out all of the marshmallows at one time, even when they are gone.
Estimated cost: 100.00 each


Paul would really appreciate having a QuickBooks register and bar code printer
As the Business Manager, it is my job to keep things running smoothly. It would be great for customer service if we didn't have to go to the office to run someone's credit card when they come in to buy marshmallows. And with the new items from other artisans being available, a bar code printer will help us keep track of everything.
Estimated cost: 900.00


Wan dreams of an on-demand label printer
I wish for a top-notch label printer! Currently, we use a document printer to make all of the labels. A new printer would speed up our production and allow us to make better labels.
Estimated cost: 3000.00


Joseph requests new purple chef's coats
The rest of the staff and I would feel especially sharp and cut marshmallows faster in matching purple chef's coats
Estimated cost: 40.00 each


Chef Alexa needs a good candy thermometer
Aack! I killed yet another candy thermometer last night! We had to stop production to go out and buy one. I wish I just had a good digital one.
Estimated cost: 50.00

And the list goes on...So please help us improve our services to you!

Recipe: Frozen Hot Chocolate

Think our 240sweet Hot Cocoa blends are only good in cold weather? Think again! Enjoy a frosty chocolate treat this summer and don't forget the marshmallows on top!

• 1/2 cup 240sweet Extra Brute Cocoa Mix
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cup crushed ice cubes
• 240sweet marshmallows, snipped into bits
• whipped cream (optional)
• additional cocoa mix (optional)

Pour milk into a blender. Add the cocoa mix and ice. Blend the mixture at low to high speed until smooth and creamy. Pour into a tall glass.

Snip a 240sweet marshmallow into bite-size pieces with a sharp pair of scissors. Top your frozen hot chocolate with a little whipped cream and scatter with marshmallow bits. If you're feeling daring, toast the tops of the marshmallows with a creme brulee torch! Or simply add a dusting of cocoa mix for garnish. Enjoy!


Photo courtesy A Cozy Kitchen

Meet Pete!

Pete Oliger is our design consultant at 240sweet. Pete is an Interactive Design major at Ivy Tech College in Shelbyville, IN. A fitness buff, he boxes but also enjoys more sedate pastimes such as playing chess and reading. The Dragonlance series is one of his favorites.

Pete created our Keep Calm and Toast On t-shirt design last month! His favorite 240sweet puff to toast with is peanut butter and bacon. Mmmmm, bacon. 

Recipe: 240sweet Puff Panini

Not quite ready for the great outdoors? Still having some of those April showers in May? Pull our your panini press (or waffle maker!) and make a sweet dessert panini that will inspire your summer s'mores to come!

• 1/2 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread
• 4 slices white bread
• 1 banana, sliced lengthwise
• 3 240sweet treat-sized puffs, split
• 1 tsp melted butter
• Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Preheat your panini press to medium-low.

Spread each slice of bread with a thin layer of chocolate-hazelnut spread, banana slices, and marshmallow slices. Press two topped slices together to make a sandwich. Brush the top and bottom of each sandwich very lightly with melted butter.

Place each sandwich on the grill and toast for 2 minutes on either side. When the sandwiches are looking crisp and toasty, plate them, slice them, and dust with confectioners' sugar. Share with a friend!


Adapted from Paula Deen's Home Cooking

2013 Hoosier Hospitality Award Wiiner: Chef Alexa!

 Chef Alexa of 240sweet receives her 2013 Hoosier Hospitality Award from Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann

INDIANAPOLIS (May 8, 2013) – Twenty representatives of the tourism industry earned the 2013 Lieutenant Governor’s Hoosier Hospitality Award for their high level of service in tourism-related jobs at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations.

The Hoosier Hospitality Awards ceremony is part of Visit Indiana Week, May 5-11. Nominations are submitted by community members and destination patrons. Nominations are reviewed and winners are selected by IOTD. Outstanding service is a major factor in determining whether a person returns to an individual business or destination. Travel, tourism and hospitality businesses support nearly 200,000 Hoosier jobs, drive $10 billion in consumer spending and serve 63 million travelers on an annual basis. The chief beneficiaries of this economic impact are the family-owned and small businesses that are the backbone of Indiana.

“Tourism is a critical economic driver for Indiana,” said Mark Newman, executive director of IOTD. “Visitor spending imports cash to our communities, creates jobs, enhances the local economy and improves the quality of life for our residents. The Indiana Office of Tourism Development strives to be the leader of our state’s tourism industry by initiating meaningful projects that advance our industry and enhance the image and profile of Indiana.”

The 2013 Lieutenant Governor’s Hoosier Hospitality Award recipients are:

Name	Organization	County
Samir Lakhany	Superhost Enterprise	Allen
Alexa Lemley	240sweet	Bartholomew
Jane Ellis	Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau	Brown
Maria A. Fernandez	Conner Prairie	Hamilton
Brad & Christine Born	Mayberry Cafe	Hendricks
Josh Yocum	Comfort Inn Kokomo	Howard
Tim Burton	Burton's Maplewood Farm	Jackson
Elvin Newhouse	City of Pennville	Jay
Bill Lackner	Lanier Mansion State Historic Site	Jefferson
Guadalupe Cruz	Holiday Inn Express & Suites	Johnson
Claudia Geise	Tryon Farm Guest House	LaPorte
Cathy Smith	White River State Park Visitor’s Center	Marion
Betty Peterson and Ruth Elijah	Ligonier Visitors Center & Heritage Station Museum	Noble
Liz Gutgsell	The Pickled Cricket, LLC	Orange
Dani Landgrebe	Industrial Revolution Eatery & Grille	Porter County
Fred Wooley	Pokagon State Park	Steuben
Steve Bennett	Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast	Switzerland
Mary Walker	Wayne County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau	Wayne

Enter our Flat Alexa contest!

Enter our Flat Alexa Contest!

Chef Alexa of 240sweet fame got flattened by our monster marshmallow mixer during the move! We know she'll puff back up soon, but right now she wants to take the summer off and visit all the 240sweet fans around the world!

Download your own Flat Alexa and take her on an adventure with you. Snap some creative photos and submit them to the contest! Winners will be chosen based on votes, creativity, and whimsy.

First prize is a free 12-month subscription to the Marshmallow of the Month Club! Second prize is a 6-month subscription to the MoMC and third prize is a 3-month subscription. Random prizes will be given just for participating, so anyone can win!

Enter by August 2, 2013 for your chance to fabulous prizes!

Click here to upload your entry.