People who cook, make a mess, and have fun together

I've been counting.

In the past year, more than a hundred people have come to cook with friends or family in the Ninecooks kitchen.

Some are good-looking (see gratuitous picture of exceedingly handsome family members making pizza dough, above). Some are uncoordinated. Some are lactose-intolerant. Some are grandparents who come with their grandchildren. Some are gardeners. Some are siblings. Some are book group buddies. Some are professional chefs. Some are very funny. Some are friends. Some arrive here as strangers, and leave as friends.

People join a cooking group for many reasons: to improve or practice their basic skills; to learn new recipes and techniques; to explore unknown culinary frontiers; to be part of a cooking community; and, most important, to have fun! For those who live alone or in small households, a cooking group provides an outlet for "cooking big." It's also a place to tackle more complicated dishes that none of us would make on our own.

Ninecooks groups meet every 5-6 weeks. Each time we cook, I organize a menu that highlights a particular ingredient, or season, or culture, or technique. We make up to six recipes, depending on degree of difficulty. The recipes vary from group to group, but one thing is constant... we're sure to make a mess in the kitchen!

After everyone goes home (with the dishes done and put away), I vacuum the floor, clean the stove, and pack up the trash to take to the dump. Finally, I clean the butcher block table on which we do all of our slicing and chopping. The six-foot-long piece of maple butcher block bears the accumulation of knife marks of everyone who's come to Ninecooks. I clean the table and give a light sanding, if needed. I rub the top with mineral oil and a soft rag, and as I do, my fingers tickle all of those knife marks.

It makes me happy.

Comments

[Eve]

The incredible sense of community, spirit and totally fun food learning that is shared in the bowl filled, wooden spoon laden, gear stocked Ninecooks kitchen in the woods is a magic to be savored! Thank you Lydia!

[rupert]

And what good looking guys!

[Marcia]

Love the photo of the exceedingly handsome family members!

[shawn]

love the bottom photo, with the gentelman with the still-unmarred finger innocently slicing pork in the background...i can hear the 'jaws' theme now!

great memory - and a memorable start to a friendship.