Carol Peck’s Zeeburger Applies

Gourmet Standards To Fresh, Fast Food

By John Voket

Like the scrumptious, farm-fresh burgers her customers are noshing on at her new restaurant, Zeeburger, acclaimed restaurateur Carole Peck has taken a healthy bite into the highly competitive business of fast food.

Ms Peck is already widely recognized for her trendsetting cuisine, and as one of the first chefs in the northeast to embrace the benefits of farm fresh and natural ingredients at Good News Café in Woodbury. But with the support and influence of her French husband Bernard Jarrier who refers to a hamburger as “Zeeburger,” Ms Peck said the proximity of her new eatery close to Good News Café is an ideal situation that she could not pass up.

“I see a real need in town for a family place where people who are pressed for time can enjoy a burger that is tasty, healthy, and fun, and that’s what Zeeburger is all about,” Ms Peck said. “Burgers are totally hot again and everyone loves them, so why not engage the community by giving them what they love and support our local and regional farms.”

Ms Peck got her formal training in food preparation and service as one of the first women to be selected to attend the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Upon graduation, she won a coveted apprenticeship with legendary chef Fernard Granger from the famous Le Pavillon restaurant in New York. Ms Peck then went on to manage kitchens as executive chef at a series of exclusive country clubs and resorts in Hilton Head, N.C., Lenox, Mass., Austin, Texas, and off the coast of Miami Beach on the exclusive Fisher Island.

She moved back to New York where she became head chef at Café Greco in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, inaugurating the beginning of the Mediterranean olive oil cuisine. Wanting to be closer to farms and locally grown organic foods, Ms Peck moved to Connecticut where she briefly opened Carole Peck’s in New Milford, and then, Good News Café, which recently celebrated its 18th year in business.

She is also the author of The Buffet Book, a collection of her favorite cook-ahead dishes for party buffets for all occasions and seasons.

Making as many of the items available from scratch as possible, from the English muffins to the catsup, helps Ms Peck both control and ensure the quality. But she said she is most pleased to be able to feed her Zeeburger customers with supplies from area and regional farms and purveyors, and the puffy rolls are the product of New haven’s Hole G Bakery.

She is sourcing meat for the burgers from several organic and grass-fed farms in nearby New York.

The milk and ice cream for Zeeburger’s milkshakes and floats come from Arethusa Farm Dairy in Litchfield, and she has created a maple syrup shake using fresh maple syrup processed in Woodbury.

Zeeburger offers a menu appealing to both meat eaters and vegetarians, and based on selections served up on the day of The Newtown Bee’s visit, the slightly elevated prices are justified; patrons will certainly taste the difference compared to other burger joints in the area.

Several hand-formed organic beef burgers, all served on brioche buns, are offered, including the Zee quarter-pound burger, the Zee Mini burger, Zee Monster burger, and Zee Juicy Lucy Blue burger. For those looking for an alternative to beef, there is Zee Slammin’ Salmon burger, Zee Veggie Shroom burger, Zee falafel on Zee English muffin, Zee Tweety Bird, and Zee Big Cheddar Cheeser.

Hot dog lovers can choose between Zee Mean Kobe Beef Dog and Zee Tweety Dog. Burgers and hot dogs all come with different toppings and can be accompanied by Zee hand-cut french fries or fresh sweet potato fries.

For those who want a lighter, vegetarian fare, Zeeburger offers three types of Zee Green Goods: super Caesar salad, Popeye spinach and mushroom salad, and crunchy kale salad. The menu also features a crispy and zesty coleslaw.

But save some room for a fresh dairy beverage like the hand-dipped milk shake or float. Or finish your Zee meal off with a cup or cone of ice cream from the Arethusa farm dairy in a variety of flavors that include, chocolate, vanilla, malted, coffee, strawberry, ginger, and mocha, and Woodbury Farm maple syrup.

So far, Ms Peck says the Zeeburger favorite in the treat department is the black and white shake. Coffee, iced tea, and soda are also available, along with a variety of wines and beer including Cavalry Golden Beer, Stella Artois, and Narragansett.

For more information about Carole Peck, Zeeburger, and Good News Café, visit www.zeeburger.com and www.good-news-cafe.com, and join Carole Peck on Twitter.