Great Summer Read: Heat

Calling all foodies and wannabes -- here is a great summer food read that you will LOVE: Heat by Bill Buford.

The subtitle reads: Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany.

The book is essentially written in two sections: The author's apprenticeship with Mario Batali at Babbo in NYC and then a soul-searching trip (and sort of apprenticeship) through Italy. The first section spoke to me more, but overall, it's really an enthralling read for anyone into food, especially if you've fantasized about your own restaurant someday or just getting your skills to "that level".

If you're a fan of Top Chef, you may recognize one of the line cooks at Babbo, Memmo (Manuel on TC). I have to say, I was really pulling for him on the show, mostly because of the semi-adoration Buford has for his skills in this book, but that's another blog post :)

The book is now available in paperback, which makes it not only an excellent read, but a bargain too! Check it out and let me know what you think.

Proof 2.0 & Cookie Update

Hooray! Hooray!! I just heard that Proof has re-opened, if a bit leaner & meaner. I haven't yet had a chance to get there this week, have any of you?? I'd love to hear what you think!

Also, just as an update, Free Cookie Day was AMAZING!! I am thrilled to announce that we had over 200 people visit The Kitchen Studio that day (and before the big storm to boot!) and sold over 32-dozen cookies in addition to giving away hundreds. I figure that we baked just under 1,000 cookies, and I didn't gain a pound :). Here's a giant THANK YOU to the TKS crew of Caroline, Kerry, & Alex. We couldn't have done it without you!

Free Cookie Day was such a success, that we're already planning one for the fall. Woo hoo! Don't forget that you can always order cookies online by visiting our web site or by clicking this link: http://www.kitchenstudiofrederick.com/Commerce/Storefront/Custom/Cookies.aspx

24 hours notice is appreciated, and we're flexible on packaging etc. These even make a great favor for your next party or wedding (I'm doing some as a gift for my brother Todd and his fiance Melissa this fall). Sweet deliciousness awaits!