FOR YOUR VALENTINE: HONEYMOON SWEETS Honeymoon Sweets opened in 1996 and is celebrating 25 years of business in 2021. The popular Tempe bakery is owned by husband-and-wife bakers Tim and Joan O’Connor, who met at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. After working on the East Coast, they moved to Arizona, raised three children and have embraced the Tempe community. “We love living and owning a business in Tempe,” said Tim. “It’s a progressive town and a cool place to live with a mix of great people. We’ve created a nice community and friendships here over the years. It is important to us to support local business, and we work with local vendors whenever we can.” KITCHEN DOORS {let’s eat} PROUD MEMBER: PROUD MEMBER OF: PROUD MEMBER OF: Photos courtesy of Honeymoon Sweets Honeymoon Sweets, which has 20 employees, is known for wedding cakes, as well as its popular petite sweets like fruit tarts and eclairs. Their baked goods can also be found at Whole Foods. “Customers like the variety and freshness, and appreciate the exceptional ingredients and quality,” Tim said. “We make everything from scratch, and people can taste the difference.” The O’Connors enjoy their work. “We love to contribute to celebrations at the best times in people’s lives as they build their families, from weddings and baptisms to birthdays, anniversaries and retirement,” said Tim. As hotels and holidays are a major part of Honeymoon Sweets’ business, it has been significantly impacted by the pandemic, but Tim is optimistic for the future. “We have had tough times, and it’s been a test for all of us, but we will be here and continue to be a part of this great community,” he said. For more information, visit honeymoonsweets.com . “ WE MAKE EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH, AND PEOPLE CAN TASTE THE DIFFERENCE.” FEB 2021 | 42 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA

“ WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DONATE OVER 5,000 MEALS TO FRONTLINE WORKERS AND THOSE IN NEED.” Photos courtesy of Aioli Gourmet Burgers CARING CHEF: TOMMY D’AMBROSIO Chef Tommy D’Ambrosio’s love of cooking began at a young age, inspired by his grandmother. After attending the Culinary Institute of America, he returned to his hometown of Phoenix to open Aioli Gourmet Burgers with two of his childhood friends. Aioli Gourmet Burgers started with a food truck in 2013, opened a restaurant in Phoenix in 2016, and a second location in 2020, as well as a location inside Fry’s Marketplace in Litchfield Park. The restaurant group also owns Modern Tortilla and Oak Wood-Fire Pizza food trucks. A Food Network “Chopped” champion and winner of several local awards for his creative burgers, D’Ambrosio is dedicated to giving back to the community. “We’ve worked with many local organizations. A few close to my heart are Valley Youth Theatre, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Center. As someone who grew up in Arizona, I benefited from having access to youth programs like Valley Youth Theatre. I learned a lot and gained the confidence I needed to become the person I am today. By supporting these programs, I know we are making a difference in the next generation,” D’Ambrosio said. Aioli Gourmet Burgers stepped up its community efforts during the pandemic. “We’ve been doing a lot of pivoting, strategizing and adapting our business to accommodate the needs of our customers and to support our community,” D’Ambrosio said. “We started offering home delivery of bulk meals that organically grew into a first- responder meal kit program where customers could donate money to purchase meals for the brave men and women working the front lines. We had no idea it would be such a success. We have been able to donate over 5,000 meals to frontline workers and those in need. We’re so thankful to still be in business, to keep our employees working and to be able to make a difference.” To learn more, go to aioliburger.com . continued >>> FRONTDOORS MEDIA | 43 | FEB 2021