Cook n Craft Academy: April 2018

Saturday, April 28, 2018

You win, and you win, and you win, and you win!!!!!

Remember when Oprah Winfrey did that show where everyone in the audience won a car...You win a car, and you win a car and you win a car! Well don't want to burst any bubbles cause we're not giving out a car....(my teenage daughters are bummed about that). I'd like to say that we're giving out the next best thing...but that would be hard to say because "the next best thing" would be so different for some many people. Some people would want to win money, others would want to win peace for the world, others might want to win a trip, others might be content to just win extra time with their grandkids. So without over promising anything...here's what you can WIN if you can join us during our Grand Opening at Cook n Craft Academy on May 12th. Everyone who attends will win (or simply get) some free food, participate in some free crafts, get their face painted (if they desire) and have the chance to win some really nice prizes. What kinds of prizes? Craft kits, beach bags, toys, gift certificates to our classes, tee shirts (and a few more things we're picking out). We probably have enough prizes to select a winner every 15 minutes during our Grand Opening between 1 and 5 pm! All you have to do to be eligible is write your name and email as well as be present. If you win a prize your name will go back into the bin so you have a chance to win again, and again, and again (if Lucky is your middle name...and we hope you are!!!). Overall we think you're all winners because you've all been so receptive to Cook n Craft Academy...and for that we thank you!!! Looking forward to meeting all of you...remember it's May 12th from 1 to 5 pm! See you then! and feel free to bring some friends!!!!

Thursday, April 26, 2018

15 for 15! Special Deal going on right now!!!

Everyone loves a sale, a special, a discount....whatever you might like to call it....anything that offers a reduced rate is fantastic...we love that too! So we want to tell you about our very first special going on right now. We're calling it 15 for 15!

What is 15 for 15? You bring us 15 people for a special class and you only pay 15 dollars per person plus tax. You can pick the date you're interested in as well as the type of class you're looking to do (sorry this does not apply to birthday parties).

Perhaps you belong to a Mommy and Me group and want to bring 15 or more members...cost will only be 15 dollars per person plus tax. Belong to a seniors group and want to get together to cook? Bring us 15 and you will only be charged 15 per person for the group.

15 Ladies for a night out? 15 per person.
15 kids or teens for an after school outing? 15 per person
15 kids for a homeschool lesson? 15 per person.
15 members from your church group? 15 per person.

You get the idea....so take advantage of our 15 for 15 today...email Christina at Christina@cookncrafts.com to book your outing now!!!! This deal may not last.

See you soon!!!!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

OUR BIRTHDAY TRADITION!

My daughter Gemma officially became a teenager. It's hard to believe how fast time goes by when it's your children getting older. I remember when they were little--looking into their eyes and wondering what they would be like when they were older and could walk, and talk. I wondered if my girls would be the type to want to hang out with me and shop at the mall. And I also wondered at what point would they think I was ""uncool", and not want me around? Well actually I think I planned on them always thinking I was cool. Although today when I tell my teens I want to be the "hip" mom, they joke that I'm the mom who needs a new "hip"....lol teenagers!!!!

Anyway, let's talk about Birthdays. When all of my children were younger we adopted this philosophy from a famous friend who I adored. He would allow his children to have whatever they wanted for breakfast on their birthday. Steak? Medium or well done? Pancakes with cotton candy on top? coming right up! Cheeseburgers? Want fries with that? Whatever they wanted, they would get. I thought that would be a fun thing to do with my kids. You can imagine the surprise on my oldest daughter's face when her birthday was fast approaching and I told her she could have anything she wanted for her birthday breakfast. She told me that she wanted scrambled eggs. Scrambled eggs I thought? Gee she could have these almost any day of the week....why would she want them for her birthday? I asked her why and she said, "because I like the way you make them!!!" Now that was a good answer.

And so down the line as each of my kids had birthdays, they always seemed to request a typical birthday breakfast. One time it was french toast, another time it was an omelet, and another time just sunnyside up eggs and bacon. I was beginning to think my kids were boring? I dreamed of making something out of the ordinary, wild, fun, something not so "breakfast-ish" (which I know isnt a word). And then it happened. My daughter Grace had her birthday around the corner. I asked her what she might be thinking for her special breakfast. She said she wasn't sure but she was leaning towards an egg sandwich with taylor ham. So then I asked her, well might you want cookie dough ice cream as a side dish? She looked at me befuddled.
"Wait a minute....you mean we can actually, really, have ANYTHING?"

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!! What do you want Sweet Gracie? Chicken Parmegian? Lasagne? Chocolate chip cookies and fudge? Let's get as crazy as you want.

She looked at me and said, well I didn't realize "anything" really was an option! So at 7 years old she announced that she would like an entire carton of Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey Ice Cream. When her siblings saw her eat her special birthday breakfast, they ran to tell me, thinking she would get scolded. I told them it was what she requested for her birthday breakfast. They looked at me and said, well why don't we get that option? I told them they could have anything they choose. Suddenly you could see them counting the days on the calendar til their birthdays.

The next birthday we saw cookie dough ice cream sundae with hot sauce. The next one requested Praline Crunch ice cream and butterscotch sauce. The next requested a banana split with strawberry, rocky road and mint ice cream. I was glad to see they were thinking out of the box, but they only seemed to be thinking out of the freezer box....all they wanted was ice cream. I told them they could pick other things...but ice cream has been the delicacy of choice. Except once, my daughter was a bit daring and wanted tacos! It didn't take long though to go back to ice cream for breakfast. I guess I shouldn't complain...they're getting in some calcium.

And so Gemma celebrated her first day as a teenager with;.....guess what.....Peanut Butter Crunch Ice Cream.

Now speaking of birthdays...I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you that we're excited to plan your upcoming COOK N CRAFT ACADEMY PARTY...check it out here.....https://cookncraftacademy.com/birthday-parties

Sunday, April 22, 2018

The Sign Says it All!!!

The countdown is on to our Grand Opening.....it's becoming very real for us! If it's in writing...then it must be real....and Cook n Craft Academy is officially in writing on our new sign.

The posts will be painted in about 4 weeks til all cures....and we couldn't be more thrilled.

Special thanks to Dennis of Engraphics for our new sign. Dennis --you and your team have done an amazing job and we thank you.

Let us know what you think!!! Jot down the date of our Grand Opening May 12, from 1 to 5 pm

Friday, April 20, 2018

What does a gal have to do to get a decent pair of shoes around here?????

Hello, my name is Dolly and I'm in a dilemma. You may know me as the mascot for Cook n Craft Academy. I really enjoy my roll there and especially the part about being the taster and getting to taste all the testing that is going on. Chris and Bob Deyo have been very good to me. They even traced my roots and discovered my true identity of Sally Smart (which I knew all along but didn't reveal it to them because I feared they may not want me as their mascot--which thankfully wasn't the case).

Now while I really appreciate all the efforts of the Deyo's ....and everytime I ask for something or negotiate something they come around...but my latest dilemma has not had a positive outcome for me so I have hijacked Cook n Craft Academy's blog in hopes of getting some good results.

And now to present my case. Do you notice anything wrong with this picture? Yes, thank you!!!! barefeet---no shoes!

So I went to the powers that be and brought this to their attention. and this is what they gave me.

I don't want to appear ungrateful...but I ask you....have you ever been comfortable in a pair of rubber shoes? They stick to the bottom of my feet and make me sweat!

Very uncomfortable. Now I know the owners are busy getting ready to open up Cook n Craft Academy....but this is the best you can do?
I want something more in line like this:

Don't you agree? If you do please let them know I think this is my only hope. I can't walk around in those rubber things anymore (you may just find them thrown in the flower garden outside, I'm not saying I kicked them off there....I'm just saying I don't know where they are. So please help me out...cause honestly, what's a gal like me need to do to get a decent pair of shoes around here...aka a really nice pair of leather cowgirl boots!!!!!

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

FINALLY....MY VERY OWN EASY BAKE OVEN!!!!

I think I was about 6 years old when I remember seeing a commercial for Easy Bake Oven. I knew I wanted it for Christmas. My mom told me that it was too advanced for my age and maybe when I was older.   But back then I loved to bake and I was hoping that even though she said I needed to be older that maybe Santa wouldn't have heard her requirements and just maybe he would bring me one. Nope, Christmas morning I got a Blink it doll, where you pull her string and her eyes blink and then change colors. Don't get me wrong, I loved that Blink it doll, she was great fun, but she wasn't an easy bake oven.

The following Christmas I didn't lose my desire for that Easy Bake oven. I still wanted one. But once again, even now that I was 7 years old, my mom felt it was still too advanced. That year I settled for a Johnny Bench Batter Up. (I loved baseball as much as I loved baking).

When I turned eight years old I was positive that easy bake oven was coming! I was sure of it. I mentioned that I hoped I got it, and my mom never said "it's too advanced for you". So this was going to be the year. I would go to bed at night dreaming of what I would bake first. I couldn't wait. Yes this was going to be the best Christmas ever. This was my year! ...........Christmas morning came and.....no this was not my year. There wasn't any easy bake oven under the tree. I am not sure what happened. I got some wonderful gifts for Christmas, and the last thing I wanted to do was seem disappointed. My parents asked if I liked my gifts, I told them I did, and not trying to sound upset I said, "I was hoping Santa maybe would have gotten me an easy bake oven". My mom said that she was hoping too, but she thinks Santa must have ran out of them that year. Well my neighbor Susan was one lucky girl--she got an easy bake oven. And if Santa ran out, she must have gotten the last one because her house is right next to mine and surely if he had anymore I was definately next.   Susan asked me if I wanted to come over and play with her easy bake oven. It was the next best thing! We baked brownies and cakes and it was tons of fun. If it's possible to gain 10 pounds from the 1/4 inch chocolate frosted cake it yielded....we did it!!!

Then a very strange thing happened the following year. It must have been some sort of "off" year. Because for the very first time in 3 years --an Easy Bake Oven wasn't at the top of my list. My mom even asked if I wanted one. Was something happening to me? What was wrong with me? This definately would be my year...but for some reason I felt quite ambivalent. This was the most important gift I desired over the past 3 years...and now all I really wanted was a Style Barbie Head where you could curl her hair with--get this---a plastic curing iron. You could also apply lipstick which you then could also wear yourself!!! Nope...no easy bake oven for this gal, bring on the Barbie Head. And Santa got this one right! I loved that Barbie head....although I was slightly confused why that plastic curling iron curled Barbie's hair but not mine. I guess I wasn't born with copper metal highlights that easily bend and hold curls in place. Oh well...it was still wonderful fun!.

So then I turned 10 years old. , I still loved to bake. But something wonderful happened, my mom allowed me to use the oven in our kitchen. And I had become a bit sneaky in that double digit age. You see after my parents went to bed, my brother Joe and I sneaked downstairs and held baking contests. You could say we were competing for Iron Chef before it ever was a "thing".   We would glance through out cookbooks and each of us would pick something to make and then we would taste and see who's was the best. My brother is now a professional chef, and I like to tease him and say that I always won those competitions and that's why he had to go to cooking school. So I never really needed to get that easy bake oven afterall, because as long as I didn't get caught, I had my mom's oven. And that oven made quadruple the size of the cakes the easy bake oven did!

Years later when I was working at the Rosie O'Donnell show I was producing actress/singer Vanessa Williams. In my pre-interview I remember asking her what her favorite childhood toy had been (working at Rosie we were always on the search for interesting stories...those little golden nuggests). Vanessa told me that she absolutely LOVED her easy bake oven. It was her favorite gift she ever received...and get this...she still had it! I had her bring it to show Rosie. And when she did, all those wonderful childhood memories and love for that toy that I never got came flooding back. It was truly the best gift I never ever got.

And 45 years later, I still love to bake and still have a desire for my own easy bake oven...but on a grander scale...and guess what I finally got it! I have a Blodgett Oven and wow is it amazing. I can bake 500 cookies at once! It's our Cook n Craft Academy commercial oven, and all I can say is WOW...This Easy bake oven was worth waiting for...even if I did have to wait since my childhood!!!!

I got to try it out for the very first time last night. I baked 150 salted Caramel chocolate chip cookies. I was practicing a recipe for an event coming up this Saturday in Loudon. It's the CASA 5K run/walk and Jeff Harris was kind enough to invite us to pass along some of our goodies. So I hope you will stop by and say hello, and enjoy the fruits of my very own EASY BAKE OVEN!!!!!

Monday, April 16, 2018

THE MYSTERY IS SOLVED....WE KNOW WHO SHE IS!!!!.

I am married to a policeman. Before we moved to Tennessee, he was a detective in the Sheriff's department. He is an extremely good detective. I don't have any secrets because of the sentence before this one. So when it came time to try and figure out where our mascot Dolly of Cook n Craft Academy came from...I knew that if I put him on the case he would uncover the truth. I had been trying to figure it out and had a few good guesses but nothing I was sure of. It didn't take long for him to uncover the dirt. Below is what he emailed me earlier today:

Well, the mystery of where did Dolly, the Cook N Craft Mascot come from is finally solved. Her real name is “Suzy Smart” and she was a doll manufactured by the Deluxe Reading Company in 1962. Unlike other dolls of the period which were sold through catalog or Department stores, Suzy, was only sold through supermarkets. She originally came with a desk and blackboard and was portrayed as a school girl. She has a spinning battery operated disk which allowed her to voice some math problems.

We confronted this information to Dolly. Her response. “well that’s not surprising you know I was smart…I just didn’t like getting questions like are you related to Secret Agent Maxwell Smart?” She then rattled off a few square roots, and a couple of sentences about acute and obtuse angles. Dolly is definately one smart cookie!!!! However, after some negotiations along with a hefty pay raise, Dolly has decided she would prefer her name to remain Dolly instead of Suzy Smart. She is looking forward to continuing her Mascot duties, which we are thrilled about!

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Cook and Grab a Cat Academy.....wait, what did you just say?????

Cook and Grab a cat Academy....

We love technology. Just thinking about how advanced we are from the time I was a kid until now, we've come a long way. Of course when I was growing up if I wanted to play with the neighborhood kids, we didn't call, text or email. No, we knocked on doors, often unannounced to see if Susan or Lawrence could come outside and play. There's something wonderful about those technology free years, when playing outside til dark was good clean fun. Going out to dinner was a special treat, and we all talked to one another....we didn't stare and play with our phones. Don't get me wrong, technology is a wonderful thing, and the advances that have been made are life saving in many cases. It's just that life seemed so simple and carefree and not as complicated. My teenage daughter actually said to me, "Mom you're so lucky you didn't have phones when you were a teenager." I asked her why and she said, "well if a boy likes you, he would actually have to ask you out in person. Today guys send text messages and sometimes you don't know how to read them. Are they serious? Are they joking around and messing with you?" I couldn't believe that she actually felt that way. But I think alot of us who grew up without cell phones, and computers often long and wish for that technology free age. It's our hope at Cook n Craft Academy that we bring back that simpler time, even if it's just for a few hours. It's time to get back to some good clean fun, crafting, and or cooking. Spending time with friends and family and making memories. That is our goal. And so now just what is Cook and Grab a Cat Academy? Well that's what made me think to write this post. My phone's voicemail actually can take messages and send them via text! And while we've come along way baby...not so far enough. They translated the message inquiring about Cook n Craft Academy to Cook and Grab a Cat Academy. So if your phone does the same as mine, and translates voicemails to text....be careful if you get any messages from us--saying we're calling from Cook and Grab a Cat Academy.;..and if you do, you'll know what they mean!!!!!

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

TEENS MAKING DINNER!!!!

Chicken a la Pauline!

My daughter Pauline is shadowing me this week for school. Since we are always trying to develop new recipes I gave her this simple task. Here are 4 split chicken breasts...now make dinner! I figured she would make something she would eat, and it could possibly be featured in a teens cooking class.

At first I don't think she thought I was serious "you want me to do what?" "Yes, Pauline, come up with something that you and the family will love for dinner." I saw her think about it for a while...(that's a good sign)! Then she started looking in the pantry (an even better sign!!!). Then she turned on the oven to roast her chicken. She poured a little olive oil on the chicken, then sprinkled some salt, garlic powder and pepper (specifically in that order--I;m following her recipe). She turned the oven on to roast at 375. While that was roasting (and smelling really good) She then took some parboiled rice --followed the directions on the bag and made the rice. She grated some parmesan and cheddar cheese and added it to the rice. Wow I am impressed. She steamed a bag of peas as well to add to her dinner plate.

When the roasted chicken was almost done she added some golden mushroom soup to it which made such a rich delicious sauce. She plated it and called everyone for dinner. Would you believe the family loved it. It was probably one of their most favorite. She impressed me tremendously...and if she can do it...your teen can to!!! Guide them, inspire them...cook with them...it will go a long way!

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Dolly and the Jetts (as in Blodgetts)

Remember that Elton John song...Bennie and the Jets....

Well Dolly our loveable mascot has fallen in love with our new oven "our Blodgett"....and I swear I could hear that tune Bennie and the Jets late one evening when we were painting...except the words were a bit different.

Say, Candy and Ronnie, have you seen them yet
Uh but they're so spaced out, D-D-D- Dolly and the Getts
Oh but they're weird and they're wonderful
Oh Dolly-- I'm really keen

I've got electric boots a mohair suit
You know I read it in a magazine

D-D-D Dolly and the Getts.

It's crazy what you hear after hours in Cook n Craft Academy.

Here's some other things Dolly is really excited about...classes are about to start at Cook n Craft Academy and we would love you to be a part of them.

https://cookncraftacademy.com/upcoming-classes

We have a Mommy and Me class scheduled where we plan to make an adorable apron and bake some cookies.

We will also be making bath bombs and soaps....

and we're gearing up for Mother's Day with some classes as well.

Hope you can join us...and say hello to Dolly....you might even hear that Elton John Song.....

What you should know about those labels on your fruit...that some grocery stores wish you didn't know!!!

You know those stickers that can be found on most fruits and veggies in grocery stores worldwide? If you’ve ever bought produce from a grocery chain, you’ll recognize the ones we’re talking about. I’m sure for some of us who used to or currently work in a grocery store, those stickers are burned into our minds (I am one of those people). They usually have a a bar code on them for scanning and a PLU code, which helps your friendly neighborhood cashier identify what type of produce you’re buying.
But these unassuming stickers are more telling than you’d think. While the PLU is the “price lookup” number and identifies the fruit or veggie, it also helps to identify something else: how the produce was grown. By correctly reading this code, you can tell if the fruit was genetically modified, organically grown or produced with chemical fertilizers, fungicides, or herbicides
The story behind where your fruits and vegetables actually came from has been right under your nose all along! You just have to know how to analyze the labels and the PLU number. It’s actually a lot easier than you’d imagine
Here’s the basics of what you need to know about the truth behind PLU codes.

If there are only four numbers in the PLU, this means that the produce was grown conventionally or “traditionally” with the use of pesticides. The last four letters (or only four, in this case) of the PLU code are simply what kind of vegetable or fruit you’re buying. An example is that all bananas are labeled with the code of 4011.
If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “8”, this tells you that the item is a genetically modified fruit or vegetable. Genetically modified fruits and vegetables have been tampered with in an unnatural way; essentially, produce that has been genetically modified was created in a lab or over decades of artificial selection, and cannot be found in nature. A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be: 84011
If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “9”, this tells you that the produce was grown organically and is not genetically modified. An organic banana would be: 94011

Dr. Frank Lipman

Interestingly enough, the adhesive used to attach the stickers is considered food-grade, but the stickers themselves aren’t safe to consume.
If you’re looking to be hyper aware of what fruits and vegetables have been treated with pesticides and other chemicals and which have not, you’ll want to check out the homepage for the Environmental Working Groups. The EWG has compiled two lists to help consumers identify which produce is generally cleaner and which produce is generally tampered with; the Clean Fifteen and the Dirty Dozen.
The Top 5 for the “Clean Fifteen” produce are:

Avocados
Sweet Corn
Pineapple
Cabbage
Sweet Peas (Frozen)

The Top 5 for the “Dirty Dozen” produce are:

Strawberries
Apples
Nectarines
Peaches
Celery

For the full lists, food news, and additional food rankings, make sure to check out the EWG online.
What do you think of this sticker revelation? Will this change how you shop for produce? Share your thoughts on this in the comments section below. For more information, check out this informative video below on the truth behind food labeling.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Celebrating HOME SCHOOLING at Cook n Craft Academy!!!!

Cook n Craft Academy is happy to offer a selection of Home School Classes beginning the week of April 23rd....

Some of the classes available are:

Farm to Table: Learning the value of cooking with what's in season. Spring cooking includes Asparagus, carrots and peas.

The most beautiful Vegetable flower....the CAULIFLOWER! We will be learning about Cauliflower as well as cooking with it and making a cauliflower crust pizza.

The Incredible Edible Egg: We will learn how to make the perfect omelet as well as some delicious egg inspired dishes.

International Cuisines....Chinese Wok Cooking, Italian Pasta making, or Spanish Paella making

The importance of Bread Making

We can accomodate up to 25 students. If you are interested in a particular class please email us at Christina@cookncrafts.com

Cook n Craft Academy is located at 418 Wharf Street Loudon, Tennessee 37774

Home School classes are $15 per student and a minimum of 10 students are need to conduct a class.

Thank you!!!

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

So what exactly is an ANSI hood?

Mascot Dolly with screwdriver in hand working under our ANSI hood.

You may have heard us mention that we will be opening soon however we are waiting for the installation of our ANSI hood. It sounds technical and all...but what exactly is an ANSI hood? ANSI stands for American National Standards Institute. The hood goes over our range and is the approval method for fire/smoke escape. Think in terms of an exhaust system. There is an American National Standard we need to comply to, Our hood will be tested at a minimum annually. This is required with a commercial kitchen. In our building which was formally a bank, we need to drill through the roof to install it. We've been at the mercy of Mother Nature as we await 3 clear days of weather to install (maybe this week--fingers crossed).

Our contractor Dave has been working diligently to try and get it installed for us. He's been doing an amazing job and we appreciate his hard work. We recently noticed we have had one other worker...and we're not sure if she's helping or hurting. You see our mascot Dolly has been so anxious for us to open that she's been up late at night after everyone leaves trying to work on it. Our security camera caught her on tape with a screwdriver in hand under the ANSI hood. We are hoping this means our doors will open soon. Until then fingers crossed for Sunny weather and a successful installation!!!