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Author Archives: Lily Cope

Holler for Challah! Challah Making with Bonnie Eisner Wrap-Up

Challah. I’ve never met a single person who doesn’t like it. Ever. And even if I were to, I doubt they could turn their nose up at Bonnie Eisner’s delicious family recipe (which you can find below). Friday afternoon welcomed students keen to learn how to make the mildly yet perfectly sweet Jewish bread. Everyone left with new skills, great tips and a homemade loaf of his/her own.

Rittenhouse resident (and longtime baker and challah enthusiast), Bonnie Eisner, led the lunchtime class and treated students to her family’s recipe. Her niece, professional photographer Shira Yudkoff, was on hand to capture the fun and aromatic class. (All photos in this post are courtesy of Shira)

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I KNEAD IT! BASIC COUNTRY LOAF WITH METROPOLITAN BAKERY

Wendy Smith Born and James Barrett of Metropolitan Bakery here in Philadelphia are a pair of rustic futurists who effortlessly blend traditional baking methods with new-world gadgets and aspirations. Their artisanal ingredients and methods are thoughtful and meticulous but their personalities exude a respect for and love of dynamism- the unpredictable and wild nature of bread and the world in which we bake it.

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Gin, Gin and More Gin!

Last night saw COOK’s second class go off without a hiccup. Funny too, since it was a class all about gin.

We had not only the mixologists with the mostest, Jillian and Resa from Twenty Manning Grill, demonstrating and concocting some of the tastiest cocktails using Bluecoat Gin, but we had Rob and Meredith from Philadelphia Distilling Co. on hand to talk about their product, the distilling process and what sets it apart form the competition (organic botanicals, for one). Rounding out our line-up of gin experts for the evening were Jason Sheehan, Food Editor at Philly mag, and Lou Boquilla, Chef de Cuisine at Audrey Claire and Executive Chef at COOK.  (See what Jason had to say about the night on Foobooz)

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Our First Class Ever… And it was with Georges Perrier!!!

Tuesday night marked the first official class at COOK, and it was, in a word, magnifique!

Chef Perrier, master of French cuisine and extraordinary teacher, took our 16 lucky guests step-by-step through the following four-course menu featuring wines paired by his sommelier at Le Bec-Fin, Cristine Bruno.

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The Metropolitan Bakery Story

Until eighteen years ago, despite living in a city that’s been called the “Paris of the U.S.,” Philadelphians couldn’t get a decent baguette.

Enter Wendy Smith Born and James Barrett, who decided in 1993 to cobble together the money to open what has now become a fixture of Philly’s booming culinary scene—Metropolitan Bakery. Known for their intense, earthy flavors, crackling crusts and complex texture, Metropolitan breads are baked in over 30 varieties at their 10,000-foot Fishtown bakery and then delivered to four neighborhood shops and to more than 90 of Philly’s best restaurants and markets (including Lacroix, White Dog Café, Village Whiskey, Waterworks and more).

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Shellbark Hollow Farm joins roster for our Chocolate + Wine Class

Good news, people who worship cheese and are already signed up for our sold out John & Kira’s Chocolate + Wine = Heaven class on September 12: the cheese-masters from West Chester’s Shellbark Hollow Farm are joining us that evening to add cheese into the already heavenly mix!

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It’s In The Bag!

We’re letting the cat out of the bag at COOK. Check out the bags we’ll be using in our retail space – thanks to genius designer, Jeremy Kucholtz and the Bag Man himself, Barry Gold of Commonwealth Packaging. Speaking of our retail space – here’s a quick rundown of what we’ll be carrying  – and you’ll have to buy something to get one of these paper beauties of your own.

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FEASTIVAL Patron Party

Last Monday night was the FEASTIVAL* Patron Party at Percy Street Barbecue and so many of COOK’s instructors were there. We hung out with James Beard Foundation Award winner and host with the most Michael Solomonov and his right-hand woman there at Percy Street, Erin O’Shea. Peter Woolsey of Bistrot La Minette, Rob Wasserman of Rouge, Michael Schulson of Sampan, David Lipson and Jason Sheehan of Philly Mag, Art Etchells from Foobooz, Michael Klein from philly.com/food, Georges Perrier – and several others were all there to celebrate with FEASTIVAL’s sponsors. Check out all the photos of the event online.

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Best of Philly® 2011 Party

Last week, COOK attended Philadelphia magazine’s Best of Philly® party. Being named to the annual list – which will form the basis for a series of classes at COOK beginning next month – is one of region’s highest honors, particularly in the food world.

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Notes from the 57th Summer Fancy Food Show

Last week, the ladies of COOK ventured south of the Mason-Dixon line to sweltering Washington DC for the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade’s (NASFT) 57th Summer Fancy Food Show. The 3-day event, normally held in NYC, showcased 180,000 specialty foods and beverages and was a combination of overwhelming and delicious. And while we didn’t see them down there, I know that COOK’s Philly pals Metropolitan Bakery and Di Bruno Bros were also there to sample the goods and promote their own. Herewith, some observations and brilliant finds.

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