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December 2019

December Tips and Tricks

‘Tis that time of the month again. While the weather hasn’t exactly been wintry yet, December’s classes were ready to delve into the heavier side of cooking. With hearty, soul-warming dishes, our guest chefs treated patrons to the coma-inducing meals meant to encourage hibernation. Read on for our favorite tips from the last month.

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Prepping a New Year’s Brunch

The year not only ends with holidays but begins with one as well. While the night before Thanksgiving is the actual biggest party night of the year, New Year’s Eve is easily the most glamorous. And after a night of staying up well past your usual bedtime, who wants to wake up the next day and make breakfast/lunch (oh yeah, that’s called brunch). Enter these easy to prepare recipes that you can make the day before or assemble quickly once you pry your eyes open at 11 am on January 1 – enough time to eat, rally, down a mimosa or three and make it to 2 Street.

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Last Minute Stocking Stuffers

For me, some of the best gifts aren’t splashy; they’re simple but thoughtful. It shows that the giver gets me. Or if you’re like me, I don’t always think well ahead of time, so big and well-planned may not be in the cards. Below, we have our best stocking stuffers (if you still use stockings, that is). They’re items that you can pick up quickly today and tomorrow before the big day.


Austin Press Soaps
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Winter is not kind to our skin. Oddly, neither are the heated indoor spaces in which we take refuge. These Austin Press soaps are made with olive, palm, coconut and argan oils that leave your skin feeling soft and refreshed. Made in San Fransisco, these amazing little soaps come in eight different scents that will fit your recipient’s lifestyle. From the musk scent of Monk’s Library to the floral smell of Farmer’s Garden, Austin Press has you covered. Also, the packaging is gorgeous.

Porter Metal Straws
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With more and more people seeking to reduce our footprint, giving the gift of reusable items is both thoughtful AND conscientious. These metal straws from Porter come in 3 varieties (copper, silver, gold) and will class up any beverage. They come in sets of 4, so your favorite recipient can leave one at home, at the office, in the car, and keep one in their travel bag. Plus, a cleaning brush is included in each set.

Finishing Salts and Pairing Saltscookmas_salts

While kosher salt reigns supreme when cooking, the refining process can remove naturally occurring characteristics and minerals. Adding a finishing salt to your favorite dish can not only enhance the flavor but provide color and texture. Our private label salts come in three varieties: Cyprus Sea Salt, Hawaiian Black Lava and Pink Himalayan. We also have carry Pairing Salts (Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet) that make pairing food and wine so easy. You simply read the label and serve its companion wine without a second thought.

Cork Stopper

cook_corksSeldom does a bottle of wine get opened around me and not get finished. If (that’s a big if) I happen to not empty it, trying to either find the cork or even fitting said cork back into the bottle is a tough endeavor. Enter these handy dandy wooden-handled corks. While you may not be able to enjoy your wine for more than a few days after opening, these babies will keep your wine safe from accelerated oxidation and more importantly from spilling.

COOK Gift Certificates

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Giving the gift of letting your loved one choose their own toys is always an option. It takes the pressure off of you to find something specific and allows them to treat themselves. They don’t have to use it in the pantry either. The gift certificates can be used for both our retail shop and COOK classes. So if stopping in for a happy hour cheese class or catching a cookbook author class is their preferred choice, they are welcome to do so. Think of it as a choose-y0ur-own-adventure gift!

Today (Monday, December 23), we will be open from 11am to 6pm and tomorrow (Tuesday, December 24), you can stop by between 10am to 2pm. Happy holidays!!

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Holiday Baking Recipe Roundup

One of my family’s traditions is a post-Christmas cookie party. While I don’t participate in the actual baking, I certainly reap the benefits. A bag of cookies, a big glass of milk, and you can call me a happy camper. I’d go on record to say that every family probably has a signature baked item that appears every Yuletide. With holiday brunches and dinners right around the corner, we checked in with a few COOK veteran chefs to see what they’ll be serving up at their holiday gatherings.

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Entertaining for the Holidays

This time of year is not only the season of giving but also the time for entertaining. From office shindigs to catching up with old friends, everyone’s calendar is brimming with festivities. In case you’re one of those doing the hosting, we’re here to lighten your load with helpful tips from some of Philadelphia’s brightest hospitality minds. We’ll have cheese pointers from Kealan O’Donnel from Whole Foods Center City, snacky sidenotes from Jezabel Careaga of Jezabel’s, imbibing innovations by author Drew Lazor, and general gathering guidance from Brian Mattera and Brian Oliveira of Happy Hour Hospitality.

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Holiday 2019 Pop-Ups: Machine Shop Boulangerie & Okie Dokie Donuts

There is inevitably one person on our list that will enjoy the gift of food. For me, that person is me. Baked goods make “sweet” holiday gifts for anyone left on your list.  That’s precisely why we’re hosting two holiday pop-ups. This Saturday, December 14th from 10am – 2pm (or until sold out) Machine Shop Boulangerie, a South Philly French-inspired bakery, will have fresh breads and pastries for sale at COOK. Next Friday, December 20th from 11am – 3pm (or until sold out) Okie Dokie Donuts will be at COOK selling, yes, all the donuts! Read on to learn more about our pop-ups and our continuing Twelve Days of COOKmas Sale.

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COOKmas: Staff Picks

*singing* On the first day of COOKmas, their staff gave to you their picks for holiday buys.

A Grammy award-winning songwriter I am not, but my colleagues and I sure know how to pick solid gifts. From something for your bar to classic kitchen items, you’ll cross someone off your list during this, the first day of COOKmas. Even better, you will save 20% on these six items today. Read on to see our picks, and stop by TODAY, Monday, December 9 from noon to 5pm!

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Merry COOKmas to All!

That’s right, it’s that time of the year already. Our annual 12 Days of COOKmas Sale will run from Monday, December 9 though Friday, December 20. On each of the twelve days, save 20% off select items. We’ve restocked our boutique pantry with new items that make great holiday gifts for your loved ones. Check out our sale schedule below, and mark your calendars!

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Sneak Peek of January at COOK

Photo: Robin Admana and Sandy Trinh of Foolish Waffles

We’re putting the finishing touches on our January schedule, but here’s a sneak peek of what we have coming up. Don’t forget to grab your seats here this Friday, December 6 at noon!

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