Zoom Classes, College Care Packages, Pies, Private Chef Meals, Recipe & Gratitude

Hello World!

I’d like it to be true that I sit down and write a BLOG post every week. That has been my goal since I started Cooking with Abby. But reality creeps in, clients call, last minute orders are placed, and “life happens”. Life happening during Covid, and an election year, takes “long days” to a new level! So while I’d love to be writing and working on my cookbook, and cooking for my clients, I have to constantly juggle the order of things. I am sure you do too. I have gotten a bit more savvy with my website and Instagram (slowly learning Snap Chat and Tik Tok). I have taught LOTS of ZOOM classes and am quite comfortable on camera.

Below is a little update on what I have been up to lately and what you can do with me!

ZOOM COOKING CLASSES: How fun! I have really enjoyed working with individuals and groups near and far via Zoom. The classes are realistic and a great way to connect. We can cook anything, together! I have all kinds of tricks and tips and amazing recipes. We can go with a themed session (6 part series) or one offs. Check out the options on my classes page. It is a great way to ask questions, learn techniques and “get out” of your routine for a bit. With one family, I cook dinner with them. We make a recipe they want to try and then they eat it together. Always feel free to reach out to me at: cookingwithabbygray@gmail.com with questions, if you have any, before signing up!

College Care Packages! Whoa! I have to say that they have been popular - and I am so happy! I did have a learning curve with shipping and orders. All orders have to come through my website now. I love my familiarity with my clients - and friends of clients, but I became overwhelmed with texts and emails. They are difficult to track. CWA typically does not ship — so that quickly became an exciting learning opportunity. One of my young, and socially media savvy bakers, Ella, helped me navigate the options. I ordered my Rollo Thermal Printer and we were off to the races! I also loaded the boxes onto my website - which confirms the order to you (and me!). When we ship, one now receives a shipping confirmation email and a tracking number. While I recognize that this is not rocket science - it is a piece of a puzzle to figure out for a small Mom and Pop business like mine. I made a few communications errors as well, so I sent Door DASH gift cards or offered a 2nd box. Clients and friends seemed to be happy with my choices - and I always want my clients to feel valued and appreciated. I am not Amazon - and don’t want to be, as it takes the personal touches out of the equation. I am happy to report that these changes and adjustments (minor, but so important) have lead to stress free ordering and shipping. I put lots of good food choices, handmade baked goods, and treats in these boxes. Recipients have been quite pleased! If you have an idea or item, let me know. And of course, these are not just for college kids. I imagine Grandparents and friends would like them too! You can customize your note and tell me about the recipient on the ordering form.

Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without CWA Pies! This idea started as a way to have people taste some of my food. While I am a private chef - and teach cooking classes, too, most of the food that I was known for was savory. I started my TG Pies @ CWA two or three years ago, and they really took off! THANK YOU! My 2020 Menu will be out next week (100% sure!), but the Blueberry Lemon, Pumpkin, and Apple Pies are on the list again! I do a coconut cream and a chocolate cream that are huge hits, so they will return. May add an Apple Cheddar. Do you have any special requests? I love the idea of a savory pie addition. Check website, Instagram @cookingwithabbygray and Facebook @CookingWithAbby. As always, you may also email me.

Private Chef Meals! Let me know if I can create a special meal for you and your family, a neighbor or a friend. You can be added to my email list. Each ingredient is handpicked and all food is prepared by me. Until we can open up again in grand fashion, I have found this to be a good option for a lot of my clients. I have found that people love to order as it breaks up the week and folks are still wary about dining out. Contact me directly for all of the details. You can also hire me for a private party, special dinner, milestone birthday, graduation, etc, All of the pictures on my social media channels are mine - unless noted, so you can get a good idea of my range.

Recipe: I thought it would be fun to share a recipe that my folks love to make and then eat, of course!

RECIPE FOR CACIO E PEPE: A GREAT Weeknight Dinner. Serve with Salad, Crusty Bread, and a Nice Red Vino!

INGREDIENTS: 1/2 lb. pasta 2 tbsp. butter, divided 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil Coarsely ground black pepper 3/4 c. freshly grated pecorino, plus more for garnish 3/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ⅔ cup pasta water and drain pasta. 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1-tablespoon butter with oil. Add a generous amount of black pepper and toast until fragrant, about 1 minute. 3. Add ⅓ cup reserved pasta water and bring to simmer. Whisk in remaining butter then, using tongs, toss pasta into butter mixture. 4. Add cheeses and toss constantly until cheese is melty, removing skillet from heat when about half the cheese has melted. (If sauce is too thick, loosen with more pasta water.)

And finally, THANK YOU! I am so grateful for your business, your time, your suggestions. I am always happy to cook for you, help you select wines, create the perfect package for your loved one(s). I keep moving. I keep cooking and I keep dreaming. Our world will never be the same - and that may be a good thing. I don’t want anyone getting sick from Covid-19 (or anything else), but I do appreciate that it made many of us slow down and reimagine our lives. THANK YOU for your business and your continued trust in me. I don’t take one thing for granted. Be well, stay well, and please, please wear your mask! We will get through this together.

With Love,

Chef Abby xo

PS: PLEASE MAKE a plan to VOTE. I have never missed an election, and it is such an important part of our democracy.