In the Kitchen

What's New at Paulding & Company

December 2008

What Is Culinary Team Building, and Why Should I Tell MY HR Department About It?

Perhaps it's time to plan next year's enrichment activities. We all know that a happy office is a productive one, so here's some food for thought about the experience you'll get at the Paulding & Company kitchen. We'll be happy to email our new marketing brochure to your HR department. To request one, email tracy@pauldingandco.com. Here's an excerpt from an essay I wrote that is in the brochure:

"Within every organization or business, there exist parallels to working in the kitchen. To succeed in the kitchen, just as in business, requires teamwork, decision making, evaluation, organization, timing, taste, and group commitment to working towards a concrete goal. The rewards, in this case, are immediate—a flavorful meal shared with co-workers is the straightforward and satisfying result of the team working and having fun together, and a focus of mutual pride in achievement."

At Paulding & Company, we have 100% positive feedback from our clients, and many companies who send multiple groups our way throughout the year, because they see such great results, and get enthusiastic reports from the participants. We offer a unique experience, both with our great kitchen, and with teachers that take the time to teach real skills to every participant. We make sure that the food you eat starts with the best ingredients, locally sourced whenever we can, and that these ingredients end up making a stellar meal for all to enjoy.

A Lot Is Happening in Our Kitchen! Classes and Events for Everyone to Enjoy

December is party time, and we're in full swing! Somehow, when the going gets a bit tough, parties matter, although many have been downsized a wee bit. Our cookie event offer is still on--we have time the week before Christmas for you to take advantage of it, and bring a group for a few hours of delicious fun!

Classes for One and All!

By special request, we've added a public cookie class to the schedule. Join us for Cookie Decorating, the Class, on Saturday afternoon December 20th, where our resident cookie specialist Alicia will teach you how to make, bake and decorate gorgeous cookies--to eat and "to go." Yes, you can bring a child over 8 with you at a reduced rate (one child per adult). We may spoil your appetite for dinner--but it's all in good fun! Sign up now before this great class fills!

We've set up some exciting classes for the new year--including some we suggest you put under the tree. We'll send you a very lovely gift certificate, and your recipient(s) will love you for sending them (or bringing them if you want to come, too) on a culinary adventure! Our Trip to Spain class, with tapas, paella and a sunny dessert, on Sunday afternoon the 18th of January, starts at 4:30 PM, ending early enough not to interfere with Monday morning.

Our Dinner and a Movie class with Tracy Paulding might be more your cup of tea. The first one, Ramen and Tampopo, sold out entirely with the group clamoring for more. Now we present Dumplings, Tea and a Movie, co-hosted by Teance teas, with special dumpling-expert guests on Sunday, January 11th from 5-10 PM. You'll get to pull up a plate of dumplings, sip premium Chinese tea, and watch a free showing of the appetite-inspiring movie, Eat, Drink, Man, Woman while you dine. The cooking class is $45 per person, a real bargain ($80 per couple).

Here's a fun new class for you kitchen phobic folks: On Friday evening the 6th of February, we're going to teach you how to make a knock-out-gorgeous Valentines Dinner for your honey. This class, with Joe Cates, chef, saucier and butcher extraordinaire, features a menu with easy-to-find ingredients, that you can make in one hour, and that will say "I love you" in a big way--and surprise that special person who had no idea you could cook. We've scheduled it only a week before Valentine's day, so you don't have too much time to forget what you learned. Joe will even provide you with a convenient shopping list.

Our friend and Italian cooking teacher Rosetta Costantino has added new classes for the new year. Check the calendar and sign up for a delicious evening--her classes always sell out, so don't delay.

Stocking Stuffer

Our friends at Parties That Cook often bring their own team building groups to our kitchen, and they've developed the perfect stocking stuffer gift, Parties That Cook's Sumptuous Small Plates Recipe Card Deck, a collection of their 30 most popular appetizer recipes in a colorful deck of cards with simple entertaining tips for creating fabulous events. Great for holiday stocking stuffers and hostess gifts, the deck is also available on Amazon.com.

In the Market

After we've enjoyed a mostly balmy November, there are still bright red strawberries, although they don't last very long in the fridge, and even some raspberries, plums and plenty of grapes at the farmer's markets. Still good green beans and summer squash along with the great broccoli and winter squash. The cheery orange persimmons and bright red pomegranates are as delicious as they are decorative. What more can we ask for (except enough rain to fill the reservoirs, of course)? If you visit your local farmer's market, you'll find a lot more than food this time of year of course--the crafts people are also hoping you'll come by too. Support your local farms, and give one or more of our markets a visit. You'll be happy with the results!

Recipe of the Month

Since we're making a lot of cookies this month, I thought we'd share one of our cookie chef, Alicia's favorite recipes--one for cookies you'll get to decorate if you sign up for our cookie class. It's a simple recipe, and makes absolutely yummy cookies!