By Peter Covino

Lifestyles Editor

It’s all about the hoagie.

Osceola County just got its very first Wawa store (the third in the state) and a second one opens on Wednesday.

The new convenience store is big and bright and looks nothing like the convenience stores of a generation ago with crowded aisles  that seemed to specialize in chips, beer and cigarettes.

As Wawa officials like to say, Wawa is more like a restaurant that also happens to sell chips, beer and cigarettes.

At a pre-grand opening event on Wednesday at the new Wawa at 2185 E. U.S. Highway 192,  Wawa associates encouraged a feeding frenzy with samples of hoagies, macaroni and cheese, lobster bisque, chicken noodle soup, smoothies and other assorted tasty treats.

The soups, mac and cheese are nice lunch options or even for dinner, but it is the hoagie that got my attention. With two Wawas in Kissimmee (the second location opens Wednesday at 2499 N. Orange Blossom Trail)  and five in Central Florida there is definitely a new competitor in the made-to-order sandwich category.

Wawa made to order sandwiches come hot and cold, and include  classic Italian, roast beef, meatball, beef steak, chicken steak and more.

The sandwiches really taste fresh, and the bread, partially baked on-site, also is a stand-out.

Wawa also features the latest in touch-screen technology. Sure, there were friendly prep guys and gals behind the counter, but you order via touch-screen, starting with your sandwich, and the ordering is so precise, you can choose a little bit of mayo or a lot. Smoothies, fountain drinks and side orders also are all handled through the touch screen and once you have made your selections, you get a a bill tota which you take to the cashier. If is very fast and efficient, exactly what you need if you have limited time for lunch (or breakfast for that matter).

Wawa is legendary in parts of the northeast and the convenience  store’s entering the Florida market has been eagerly awaited by folks who used to call New Jersey and Pennsylvania home. The opening of the first Wawa in Orlando a few weeks ago caused hour-long waits for those hoagies, even with their very efficient serving system.

If you want to get in on the grand-opening excitement, there will be some more food samplings when the OBT Wawa opens Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.

If you prefer things a bit quieter, but still appreciate a great deal, both new Wawas are offering the Shorti Hoagie, a smaller version of their hoagie, for only $1.99 during the grand-opening special. Coffee is free as well.

I also highly-recommend the Wawa smoothie, available in many varieties, and in the case of fruit smoothies, made with fresh fruit.

Wawa also will donate up to $5,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank (based on a portion of all hoagie sales) during the opening week of eacn new Wawa store. Wawa hopes to donate $25,000 to the food bank by the time all five area stores are open.

Chef John’s

If you were headed over to the City Centre in Downtown Kissimmee for lunch at Chef John’s this week, you got a surprise —the eatery is officially closed.

The restaurant will relocate with many of the same menu items at a new location at 3753 Pleasant Hill Road.

Main Street Kissimmee promises an announcement soon on a new restaurant coming  soon to the former Chef John location.

Bee friendly

Central Florida beekeepers will be selling honey, candles and other bee friendly products at the Orange County Extension offices, 6021 S. Conway Road, Orlando as part of Honey Bee Appreciation Day, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event also features workshops and a “Ask the Beekeeper” forum. It is sponsored by the Orange Blossom Beekeepers Association.

Winery awards

Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards in Clermont has just some more awards for its Florida wines at the 2012 San Francisco Wine Competition.

The winery won three awards for their wines, including a Double Gold Medal for Southern Red, a Gold Medal for Crescendo, and a Silver Medal for Southern White.

This annual competition has been setting high standards for the judging of fine wines for 32 years and 2012 marked their largest competition in their history, with more than  4,500 wine entries from 1,300 wineries from across the world, including 29 countries and 26 states.

The winery is open for free tours and tastings. For more information go to 

www.lakeridgewinery.com

Healthy workplace

Applications for the 2012 Healthy Workplace Awards are now being accepted by Get Active Orlando (GAO) to honor and recognize Central Florida businesses that inspire employees to stay fit and healthy.

Since 2010, 29 companies, organizations, and agencies have been honored by GAO for their healthy workplace initiatives. Last year’s top honors went to Orlando Health (Gold), Seminole County Government (Silver), and Colonial High School (Bronze). The City of Orlando received a special legacy award for earning the highest overall score for the second consecutive year.

GAO Chair Kelly Rogers, MPH, Program & Policy Analyst for Nemours’ Florida Prevention Initiative, says the Healthy Workplace Awards program is part of the group’s continued effort to promote physical activity in the daily lives of Central Floridians and encourage businesses and community leaders to lead the charge.

“If you encourage your employees to include exercise and a balanced diet in their daily lives, we want to know about it,” says Rogers. “From company-wide exercise programs to monetary incentives, businesses are being creative in keeping our workforce healthy.”

She adds that the GAO awards program is designed to honor businesses dedicated to the health of their employees, as well as to offer insight to those businesses that may want to start similar wellness programs.

There are three levels of recognition in the 2012 Healthy Workplace Awards program, allowing companies of all types and sizes to participate. Applications are due September 28, 2012; there is no entry fee.

For applications, criteria, and submission guidelines to the 2012 Healthy Workplace Awards, visit GetActiveOrlando.com, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .