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When lunchtime hits, and your stomach is growling, it's time to make a decision—you want something healthy, affordable, and made quickly to order. With those three qualifications, you just might want to visit Saladsworks, a recent addition to the Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole. In September, owners Nicole Roudiez and Derek Morrell opened the franchise, the highlight of which is an extensive made-to-order salad bar. Top your bed of lettuce (or spring mix or spinach) with dozens of ingredients, including as fresh vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, or corn, proteins like egg whites, beans, or buffalo chicken, and delicious add-ons such as apple chips, chow mein noodles, or a variety of cheeses. If you're not feeling very creative, Saladworks also offers a variety of predetermined sandwiches, soups, and salads, such as this Mandarin Chicken Salad, prepared by employee Lindsay Hyde.
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How did your culinary career begin?
I have been cooking and experimenting with new recipes for about five years. Saladworks is a fun fit for me because each salad is unique as I make it, playing into my love of creating new food combinations.
Describe your style of preparing food.
Saladworks is influenced first by fresh ingredients. They are the primary influences in our unique salad combinations and in building new creations.
What attracted to you to work at Saladworks?
I was attracted to Saladworks because the concept is fresh and new. Fresh, fast-casual dinning options are a perfect fit for the Annapolis area and Saladworks filled a void in this market. Nicole and Derek decided to open Saladworks because it is a proven recipe for success combining a fast, casual environment with a truly healthy menu.
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How often do you add new dishes to the menu?
New seasonal salads are added sporadically throughout the year, usually seasonally.
What kitchen tool or gadget could you not cook without?
When I'm at home cooking, my best tools are my chef knives. At work, I couldn't make my favorite salad without our signature black tongs.
What's your favorite local ingredient?
Garden-grown, summer tomatoes are a favorite ingredient of mine. This area's long, hot, sunny summers are perfect for growing them. They have a star place in a lot of my summer dishes and go great on most salads.
What do you like about this dish?
The Mandarin Chicken Salad is wonderfully colorful and has many different textures and flavors. It is a visually pretty salad but also combines taste elements that complement each other well.
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Mandarin Chicken Salad
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2.5 ounces Spring Mix
1.5 ounces Grilled Chicken
2 ounces Mandarin Oranges
1.5 ounces Cucumbers
1 ounces Shredded Carrots
.5 ounce Dried Cranberries
.5 ounces Chow Mein Noodles
1 ounce Light Raspberry Vinaigrette
Put the spring mix in a large bowl and arrange the chicken, oranges, and cucumbers on top of it. Sprinkle the carrots and cranberries on top of the produce. Add the noodles on top, and then drizzle with raspberry vinaigrette. Enjoy alongside a cool glass of raspberry iced tea.
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