If you’re a COOK veteran, you know the drill. When you come to a COOK demonstration, things kick off with brief introductions and an icebreaker question that everyone in attendance answers, including our visiting chefs. Here are some of the latest chef answers!

FALL FAVES

What isn’t there to like about fall? Sure, going to the beach is a thing that will be missed, but there’s a lot to be thankful for this time of year. For starters, the sports get into full swing. Football and tailgating become a big thing. The leaves changing and various gourd start popping up to add splashes of color. Of course, Halloween falls smack in the middle of all the cool weather. For Joncarl Lachman of Noord and Winkel, he looks forward to a simple pleasure – apple pie from Costco. See, chefs are just like us!

Where to buy: Costco

FAVORITE SANDWICH

Picking a favorite sandwich is akin to naming my favorite movie. When Malik Ali was here, we posed this question to our guests,  and it surprised me how definitive people were. From breakfast sandwiches with sausage, egg, cheese and sriracha to grilled cheese, many of the sandwiches were your familiar fare. Malik’s favorite? The corned beef special. The idea of partaking in two slices of rye, thousand island dressing, thinly sliced corned beef and coleslaw is kind of making me hungry.

Where to go: Schlesinger’s Deli, Rachel’s, Cosmi’s Deli or your favorite local deli/sandwich shop

DESERT ISLAND CANDY

Along with brisk weather for fun events and a colorful palette of leaves, fall also brings a couple of beloved holidays. Even though many childless adults don’t go trick or treating anymore, they still enjoy the fruits of the candy makers’ labor. Some love the idea of anything that couples chocolate with peanut butter and others enjoy right or possibly left Twix. When Chris Paul and his business partner at Destino Distro, Patrick Masucci, graced us with their presence for Cooking with Hemp, we asked, “What’s your favorite candy?” For Chris, it was the classic peanut chews. Patrick? Some sour Skittles.

Where to buy: Your favorite candy aisle or convenience store

HOLIDAY FOODS

If your family is anything like mine, holidays are often centered around food. Even Christmas is about time spent around the breakfast or dinner table more than it is about presents. Dia de Los Muertos is no different in the Mexican culture. Monica Mannion gave us a look at what this holiday looks like for her family. While this is probably her favorite holiday to celebrate, her favorite holiday dish is tamales, a treat normally prepared around Christmas. Others in the class picked things like juicy turkey (the struggle is so real that there are tutorials on how to salvage a dry one), sweet potato pie during Thanksgiving and BBQ on the Fourth of July.

Where to go: Tamalex, Los Amigos, Que Chula Es Puebla, Taco Riendo

THANKSGIVING STAPLES

Keeping with the holiday theme, Thanksgiving is the next big one. It’s a time when family will travel in from the far reaches of the world. You’ll see people you may not have seen for quite some time or it might be your nuclear family, but either way, there will be plenty of good times and food had. There is football to be watched (seriously why does it have to be the Lions and Cowboys every year?). There will even be football played. You can expect a serious spread for dinner where sides reign supreme. Of course, turkey is a big part of the meal, but it is grossly outnumbered by the accoutrements like sweet potato casserole, gravy, brussels sprouts and green beans. And in the case of Ben Plotkin from Brooklyn Brewing and Michael Ferrari of Res Ipsa, favorites like stuffing and man ‘n cheese.

Where to go: Mike’s BBQ, Debreaux’s, Caribbean Feast, Whole Foods

GO-TO MEXICAN SPOT

Want to incite a raging debate? Ask someone from Philadelphia where the best Mexican place is. You can probably write home about the place Sojourn Restaurant Group‘s Lucio Palazzo suggested when he came in though. South Philly Barbacoa has made quite the splash. From their collective stance on immigration to their well-renowned food, owners Christina Martinez and Ben Miller are passionate about their endeavors and deliver the goods. Other favorites from guests were were Starr Restaurants‘ El Vez and El Rey; Cantina Los Caballitos; El Limon in Ambler; and Mission Taqueria.  

Where to go: South Philly Barbacoa, 1140 S. 9th Street, 215.360.5282.