Happy September!
The arrival of autumn is always bittersweet. We are sad to say goodbye to the summer months now behind us but there’s always excitement in the air that feels like a new beginning. Perhaps it is ingrained from our childhood when September really was the new year. Back to routines, a new teacher and if you were lucky, new clothes and school supplies. Even if all you do now is on screens, doesn’t a jar of freshly sharpened pencils just inspire creativity?? (Ok maybe that’s just me.) Last week a gym instructor reminded participants “don’t forget it’s September next week so the gym will be packed with people starting over.” So, whether you are turning over a new leaf or just trying to get dinner on the table, pop in to check out the returning late harvest faves - think soups and mains with local root veg, squash, apples and pears and of course tomatoes. Savoury pies (like Chicken, Leek & Bacon Pie) will make an appearance and it won't be long before the "bourgignonnes" will be back. Let's enjoy our Indian Summer before we have to think about cozy cold weather dining!
We are back to class (cooking class that is) just like some of your kids! We still have a few spots left. Come join us for an evening of food and fun! See below for details.
September 1st – CLOSED
September 20-21st – Uxbridge Studio Tour
STORE HOURS:
Monday - CLOSED
Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Don't just walk by, drop in and say Hi!
Lisa
"Autumn mornings: sunshine and crisp air, birds and calmness, year's end and day's beginnings." Terri Guillemets
Uxbridge Studio Tour is Saturday and Sunday, September 20 & 21st. We'll be serving our housemade soup hot and ready to go with a demi-baguette for $10. We'll also have an array of accoutrements available to purchase - mini brie and other cheeses, cornichon, olives, Marcona almonds, dried nuts & seeds, pepperettes.
2025 Fall Cooking Classes!
At the time of writing this newsletter there is still room in these classes:
Sunday, September 21/25 (12:00-2:30pm) Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice (5 spots)
Wednesday, October 15/25 (7-9:30pm) Gluten Free #6 (6 spots)
We are hoping to offer a few afternoon classes this fall. Watch for our next newsletter for release dates.
IN THE STORE
BEEFING UP OUR BAKING SECTION!
We are often asked during our classes what kind of pan or bakeware we are using and where we can find them. You know our preferred answer is “you can purchase these at the Passionate Cook’s Essentials!” So with that in mind we have added some new great new bakeware in a variety of sizes. We have square (9.5”) and rectangular (9.5” x 13.5”) and 9.5” springform pans from Cuisipro which are oven safe to 500 degrees are are PTFE, PFOA and PFAS free. We also have beautiful quiche pans with a removable bottom from Gobel, a renowned French manufacturer of specialty baking tins and moulds. If you are looking for baking/cooling racks that are oven safe (think chicken wings or anything you want to elevate in the oven for better air circulation), we have those too. Check it out in time for all that fall baking you’ll be doing!
Finamill Spice Grinders
Demo our New FinaMill Spice grinders in store! These new mills are ONE HANDED (great for all but particularly anyone with mobility issues or when you want to grind a lot of spices at once). The mill easily pops onto individual "pods" which can hold individual spices (like coarse salt or peppercorns) or you can create your own blends to suit your taste and cooking style. Each kit comes with 2 pods and additional pods can be purchased separately. The best part is that it is rechargeable using the included USB cable. No batteries or wrist action required!
NAPKINS!
You know you’re in the right line of work when you get excited about unboxing the new arrival of napkins! We love the selections from Francoise Paviot, our luxe line of napkins made in France with a beautiful handfeel. There are others from Twilight in cocktail (perfect add-on to a hostess gift), lunch or dinner sizes. It’s not too early to think about your Thanksgiving table and there’s lots of autumn and neutral selections to choose from including some beautiful 100% cotton cloth napkins. (Add some jute napkins rings, a sprig or two of ivy and some little pumpkins and table setting is done!)
“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colours enough to paint the beautiful things I see.” Vincent van Gogh
PINCH BOWLS 'A'PLENTY!
We do love the little bowl! So many uses too numerous to mention. Olives and chutney on a charcuterie board, a receptacle for olive pits or shrimp tails, hot sauces, personal dip bowls, spices and ingredients when preparing a mise en place... we could go on and on. We have so many choices in store to choose from including plain white, stoneware, olivewood and sets with unique designs. Some are boxed and ready for gifting (to yourself or others!)
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO ORDER A CHEESE BOARD!
ISIGNY STE MERE
We've highlighted this beautiful butter before and have been astonished at how quickly it is selling. We have it back in stock in both unsalted and demi salted versions. In addition we just got in their award-winning Creme Fraiche. Hello warm biscuits!!
CHEESE NEWS
You choose what you want or we are happy to make the choices for you. Prices are based on the weight of the products chosen and we can work within whatever your budget is. Are you looking for crowd pleasing favourites for 12 or a higher end curated board for a small gathering with foodie friends? Either way we will make it look fabulous with the addition of dried fruit, nuts, seeds, olives, chutney and garnish. All you need to do is remove the lid and it is ready to roll! Let the nibbling begin!
RECIPE
Zucchini Corn Fritters
I made this in one of my cooking classes recently and it was the unanimous favourite!
We love to serve it with a Basil Aioli.
GLUTEN FREE CORNER
NEW HOUSE MADE BAKED GOODS!
We have stepped up our baking game! In addition to some fall items that will start making an appearance in the pastry case, we are now making an assortment of cookies and biscotti that will be available individually. At press time we had Cranberry Oatmeal, Chocolate Chunk and Ginger Molasses Cookies as well as our new Chocolate Toffee Biscotti you will swoon over!
Gluten Free cooking class 6.0
We are now into our sixth gluten free cooking class offering! We'll be making all purpose bread, Caramelized pear and brie crostini, delicious vanilla cake (to be used in a multitude of ways) and several rice paper hacks. This session still has room so sign up today to take your repertoire to the next level!