Savor the Flavors of Europe in Central Michigan and Great Lakes Bay
European immigration through the centuries has made its mark on the culture, economy and population of the Great Lakes Bay and Central Michigan region. Yet there’s perhaps been no bigger influence than on the area’s local food scene. In fact, the region’s culinary landscape today is a vibrant tapestry woven with the threads of European immigration, both past and present. And experiencing the depth of this unique culinary landscape firsthand will show you that the food is about more than just taste. It’s also about memory, family and identity.
Celebrating New Influences
Over the decades, European immigrants shaped the culinary landscape, making it a melting pot of different dining experiences. Hungarian immigrants brought goulash. Pasta and pizza spread thanks to Italian settlers. Germans introduced sauerkraut and hearty meat dishes.
Today, you’ll find all of these options in restaurant menus throughout the region. Yet the Great Lakes Bay and Central Michigan region’s food scene continues to evolve with the latest wave of European immigration, leading to new influences like Chef Sergey’s Bakery in Midland.
Founded in 2025 by Ukrainian immigrants forced to leave their homeland due to war, Chef Sergey’s Bakery has become a bridge between Midwest and European traditions for the community.
“The people of Midland opened their hearts and doors when we arrived with nothing but hope and our craft. We found a place where we could rebuild our lives, bake with purpose and give back to the very community that believed in us,” says Natalia lakovleva, co-founder of Chef Sergey’s Bakery.
As a result, the bakery has brought the essence of true European baking to the region, with recipes rooted in centuries-old traditions perfected through patience and precision.
A visit to Chef Sergey’s Bakery gives you the opportunity to taste real, made-from-scratch European baked goods, including croissants, pavlova, French baguettes, Basque cheesecake and Ukrainian cake, plus everyday staples like sourdough bread and cookies.
“Each loaf and pastry we make carries history, gratitude, and a sense of calm that only comes from doing something meaningful with your hands and heart,” lakovleva says. “Every smile from a customer, every ‘This tastes like my childhood’ has made it worth it.”
Reflecting Irish Roots
“Originally, the Irish came to the area in the 1800s to work in the lumber yards,” says Dennis Guerriero, president of the Clare County Historical Society.
Clare first began as a lumber camp founded by William McEwen, and the city got its name from County Clare in Ireland.
As Irish immigration grew, more businesses came. The historic Doherty Hotel, for example, has been owned by an Irish immigrant family for over 100 years.
“The Doherty Hotel has always been the steward of Clare,” says Four Leaf Brewing owner Amy Shindorf. “It’s a vibrant community center, where weddings, holiday meals, parades and plays have taken place.”
Inside the Doherty Hotel, the long-running Leprechaun Lounge offers traditional Irish staples, such as its famous Reuben sandwich, Irish lamb stew (made with local lamb), and fish and chips. The area’s Irish heritage has led to the success of other local establishments providing Irish fare as well, including the Green Spot Pub in Mt. Pleasant and Four Leaf Brewing in Clare.
“Four Leaf Brewing is a warm, cozy brewery that offers high-quality options only served here,” Shindorf says. “We have a solid foundation of people who consider us their hometown brewery.”
Featuring an extensive menu, the brewery pays homage to the area’s Irish roots with its corned beef potato skins with Lucky sauce, turkey Reuben and Irish Crunch sandwich. Four Leaf Brewing’s Irish Red beer, affectionately named Prince Parl’s after a longtime friend of the brewery who passed away, is a popular stalwart among its rotating taps throughout the year.
The brewery also becomes a major hub for Clare’s annual weeklong Irish Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors with a city-wide parade, live music, fireworks and other celebrations.
“We get slammed,” Shindorf says. “It feels like a wedding every year. It’s lovely.”
Speaking of Food, This Hub Serves Up Startups
Harrison is redefining what’s possible for small-town Michigan. Rather than watching talent head for the horizon, the city is creating its own gravity with The Hub. This innovative culinary and business incubator is filling storefronts with fresh energy and providing the resources local entrepreneurs need to thrive right here at home.
Harrison knew it could do more to support business growth with its former farmers market and vendor space on Main Street. So, in 2024, it transformed the building into The Hub.
“We wanted to let people know that you can do great things as an entrepreneur locally. You don’t have to move away to have business success,” Harrison’s City Manager Justin Cavanaugh says.
The facility boasts a coworking space, retail and commercial kitchen rentals, an event venue, networking opportunities, and free business workshops. “We’re utilizing this space to help startups grow and existing businesses go further, connecting them with the resources they need,” Cavanaugh says.
The Hub’s presence has already paid dividends for Harrison. “We’ve graduated seven businesses into actual storefronts in our community and surrounding towns,” Cavanaugh says.
Over 20 local business owners have also gained access to hands-on education not typically available in rural areas. As a result of its efforts, The Hub is building community, creating jobs and providing a better tomorrow for the people of Harrison.
Get to Know Great Lakes Bay and Central Michigan
Want to learn more about living and working in Saginaw, MI, and the surrounding communities? Check out the latest edition of Livability Great Lakes Bay – Central Michigan Region.
