Every year the Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce, of which both schooners are members, holds an annual awards ceremony honoring various businesses. Awards such as the Waterfront Enhancement Award, Community Service Award, Downtown Business District Interior and Exterior Improvement Award and the Community Spirit Award. This year one of our favorite restaurants, 
“From humble beginnings, this award winner's passion for cooking sealed his fate. With a successful career already in place in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a snowy trip to the Mid-coast in 1988 brought him and his family to the area. At first, he worked as a chef at a local inn. All the while, his passion to create a casual dining restaurant burned within. That vision came to life in 1993 when his dream restaurant opened for business on a little side street in rough and tumble Rockland.
All this came to a screeching halt on the night of Sept. 14, 2007, when fire alarms were sounded. The restaurant kitchen was engulfed in flames. Where most people would find adversity, this man saw an opportunity to make his place better. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Café Miranda re-opened with a new menu and a new attitude.
With an outlook of "making lemonade from lemons," this award winner re-affirmed his community commitment by hosting his re-opening as a fundraiser for Rockland Emergency Medical Services, the very individuals who helped save his business. Today, he jokes about what happened. But his positive attitude serves as an inspiration to everyone. So the chamber offers this award to Kerry Altiero.”
We offer hearty congratulations to Kerry – he deserves it!
Annie
Thinking about eating at Cafe Miranda's tonight
© 2009 Maine Adventure Sails 
