We're offering big savings to help you cheer on your favorite team. From now until the Super Bowl, feed your friends and family with one of two packages filled to the brim with some of our favorite items. These packages are only available by pre-order. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. on the Thursday prior to your pickup day. Place your order by calling 614.846.3220. 

THE VARSITY PACKAGE: $29.99

• 2 Hills Own Large One-Topping Take & Bake Pizzas (Your choice of toppings)
• 36 Gerber Chicken Wings (from Kidron, Ohio) with Buffalo or BBQ Sauce
• 1 bag of Margaritaville Tortilla Chips (13 oz.)
• 1 container of Hills Own Black Bean Dip (approximately 8 oz.)
• 2 two-liters of Pepsi Products (Choose from Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew and Diet Mountain Dew)

THE JUNIOR VARSITY PACKAGE: $19.99

• 1 Hills Own Large One-Topping Take & Bake Pizza (Your choice of toppings)
• 18 Gerber Chicken Wings (from Kidron, Ohio) with Buffalo or BBQ Sauce
• 1 bag of Margaritaville Tortilla Chips (13 oz.)
• 1 container of Hills Own Black Bean Dip (approximately 8 oz.)
• 1 two-liter Pepsi Product (Choose from Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew and Diet Mountain Dew) 

On Saturday, August 11th at 4 p.m., we're hosting a live auction for Local Matters, as part of our Farmers' Market & Foodie Spelling Bee. And, well, we're excited. We have a plethora of items to be auctioned off by Columbus Alive's witty and charming Kristen Schmidt. 

We've got a long list of items generously donated from some of our favorite community partners and people. Peruse the following list and bring your credit card; we're ready to raise some money for Local Matters!

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams: Ice Cream Party at Your Office for up to 100 people + 6 Pack of Ice Cream Shipped Anywhere — $1500 value

Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls: A weekday Cozy Cottage stay (Includes breakfast) — $200.00 value 

Columbus Crave: Dinner with Editor Shelley Mann at her favorite restaurant — $150 value

Columbus Food Adventures: 2 Tickets to an Alt Eats Ethnic Food Tour — $120 value

Small Business Beanstalk: Northwest Columbus Gift Certificate Package (Gift cards from B Rose, Brandon's Video Game Exchange, Jax Treehouse, Mark Kelley's, Powell Village Winery, Power Shack, Shyne) — $110

Columbus Alive: Two tickets to a very sold out Mumford & Sons concert for August 14th — $102 value

Rockmill Brewery: 5 Beer Set & T-shirt — $100 value

North Market: A Four Pack of ticket to the Microbrew Festival September 14th & 15th with glasses — $100 value

Small Business Beanstalk: Short North & Neighbors Gift Certificate Package (Gift cards from Betty's, Bodega, Evolved, Lotus Hair Salon & Watershed) — $75

Small Business Beanstalk: Clintonville Gift Certificate Package (Gift cards from Hot Head, Firefly Play Cafe, Global Gallery, Mix: Home, Vienna Ice Cafe) — $65 

Chipotle: Chipotle Billboard bag with water bottle, t-shirt, cookbook and dinner for 4 at Chipotle — $50

Statements: 2 "Local" T-shirts — $28 value

The Hills Market is accepting applications for a full time Wine Director. This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail and a high level of customer service as well as knowledge about wine, beer and liquor. Duties include purchasing, inventory control, stocking (heavy lifting) and taking an active role in wine, beer and liquor related events. Previous retail management experience is highly encouraged. Writing skills a plus. 

Click here to apply.

Because we love food, Ohio and our community, we're thrilled to play host to Local Matters at our upcoming Farmers' Market & Foodie Spelling Bee. (Saturday, August 11th. Click here for all the details.) 

We're particularly excited about two programs: the Local Matters Kids Cook-Off Challenge and our Foodie Spelling Bee (presented by Wild Goose Creative.) Pre-registration is highly recommended for both of these (free) events. Here are a few things to know.

Local Matters Kids Cook-Off Challenge | 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Main Stage

Sign up your 5-12 year old to compete in this fun, hands-on and delicious experience. Competing teams will take the stage to assemble the most delicious dish they can dream up! Sign up by e-mailing Jessica Lucas at jlucas@local-matters.org.

Foodie Spelling Bee presented by Wild Goose Creative | 2 to 3 p.m., Main Stage

A lively event for kids of all ages, the Bee will involve audience interaction and quite possibly a physical feat or two for our forty contestants. Each and every word will be (very loosely) associated with food. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place participants. (First place will receive a $100 gift card to The Hills Market.) The Foodie Spelling Bee is first come, first serve. We will accept up to 40 contestants. You can register here. 

Spelling Bee photo by Alexandra Kelley. 

Baby, it's hot outside. But we've got delicious items aplenty to keep you cool.

• Q Tonic You won't find High Fructose Corn Syrup in this all tonic water. Organic agave keeps it sweet. Pair with your favorite gin for a summer's evening drink. Brooklyn, NY.  

• Blue Jacket Dairy Cheese Curds

• Hills Own Bruschetta

 
• Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream Sandwiches Made to share with friends, these ice cream sandwiches will certainly cause a smile - or two. Look for Oatmeal Cream, Chocolate Hazelnut, Orchid Vanilla and Salty Caramel with Smoked Almonds in our Jeni's freezer. Columbus, Ohio. 

• Mini Watermelons Our fresh mini watermelons are six inches in diameter and weigh roughly 4 to 6 pounds, making them perfect for one or two people. Stop by our produce department to try them today. Ladera Ranch, CA.

Want to join our team? We're hiring cashiers for the Original Hills Market.

Experience preferred; 18+ preferred. Must have reliable transportation (we are not on the bus line) and love food and people. Hours are flexible but availability for evenings, weekends and holidays is a must. Apply online here or send your resume to manager@thehillsmarket.com. Please, no phone calls.

With our Produce Department right next to our vast selection of wines, sometimes the two are bound to mingle. Here's a Sangria recipe — or three — for your enjoyment.

White Stone Fruit Sangria

1 peach, halved, pitted, and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
1 nectarine, halved, pitted, and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
1 plum, halved, pitted, and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
16 cherries, pitted
3 tablespoons peach liqueur
1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Albarino
4 cups (32 ounces) chilled ginger ale
Ice

In a pitcher or large bowl, combien peach, nectarine, plum, cherries, peach liqueur and white wine. Stir to combine and refrigerate one hour (or up to overnight). To serve, add ginger ale and ice.

Rosé Sangria

2 (750- ml) bottles your favorite rose wine
1 (750-ml) bottle sparkling water or club soda
3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup diced strawberries
1 cup diced nectarines or peaches
2 blood oranges or navel/seville oranges, juiced
1 lemon, juiced

In a large one gallon pitcher, combien all ingredients and stir well to combine and dissolve the sugar. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Red Sangria

3/4 cup simple syrup
2 bottles red wine
3/4 cup brandy
1/2 cup triple sec
3/4 cup orange juice
2 oranges, sliced into thin round
2 green apples, cored and sliced thin
2 lemons, sliced into thin rounds

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and refrigerate, covered, 2 hours or up to 2 days. Serve over ice.

Photo: Tessa Berg, Columbus Alive

Have you lunched with Darista Cafe yet? Every Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dara Schwartz sets up shop on the Veranda, serving her delicious locally sourced world-inspired fare. We love her, and so does G.A. Benton of Columbus Alive. 

Check out his article here. And then head to the hills on Fridays for the best “non-staurant" meal in Columbus.