More About Leah ~ Blog Posts

We are consistently voted "The Best Kosher Caterer" by local JTNews readers. Since my Orthodox conversion 18 years ago, I am dedicated to elevating the expectations consumers have about kosher food. The community has been supportive of my catering service in a way that goes beyond business as usual.

It is my good fortune to be from Seattle, a city renown for its foodies and eclectic social conscience. Within this Jewish community, we have a long-standing Ashkenazi and Separdi blend of food and ritual. I learn from some of the best Jewish mothers in the city ~ young and old! Through the pages of this website and over time, I look forward to expanding my own learning of the foods Jews eat; classic and trendy, vegetarian and vegan, gluten-free and dairy free.....and, all kosher.

All aspects of Jewish life are expressed with food, both traditional and trendy. Kashrut adds layers of holiness and meaning. Join me in a community of Jewish cooks who are excited to share their regional specialties and global perspectives on food in a Jewish context. Become a Supporting Member ~ its' FREE! Build your profile, share your recipes and feel free to contact me with questions, requests and comments. 

May we all be blessed for the love we share through food ~ Leah

 

Dennis Warshal Cooks Kosher for Leah
Posted: December 23, 2012

It's year end, and what a year it has been. Business is, thank G-d, busy and busier. My only regret is not having had as much time to cook, post, write and make videos. There is always next year; G-d willing! I am planning a schedule and hope to stick with it. What inspires me? Those who try my recipes and let me know how things turn out.

I'm thrilled to know that Dennis Warshal has begun a new Chanukah tradition at his home; Spring Rolls! He has shared some photos and I'm honored to show them here. Dennis is a sculptor, custom florist and event ambiance designer. And, apparently, food stylist.

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It's Chanukah! Time to Order for Passover!
Posted: December 4, 2012

Yes, I'm scrambling....weddings out to June already on the books. I need to post for Chanukah...watch for my secret ingredient to successful everything fried coming this week! I notice in my inbox that I have the order guide for Passover. Must be Chanukah, must be December, I must be nuts.

Further in my inbox I find images of one of the Best New Products at Kosherfest. This image of Dyana Furmansky standing by her product "Matzolah" - yep, billed as "The Trail Mix of the Exodus!" makes me laugh. This is seriously good food despite all the whacky fun Foodman's team is having marketing.

You'll want to fill your shelves at Passover with this item. It's gourmet granola made with matzoh sans the Birkenstock's. I'm thinking Matzolah brittle, Matzolah turtles, Matzolah crisp, or Matzohlah on top of ice cream. And, I suppose there isn't a halacha against eating it the rest of the year. I'm one of the lucky ones to have my own personal can NOW. Now, as in as I browse the order guide for Passover.....that is due this month!

 

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"GoyofKosher.com"
Posted: November 27, 2012

It's been a scramble since returning from Kosherfest. So many ideas; so many events to cater! Last week, with 450 meals to prepare for a Bat Mitzvah weekend of events, Thanksgiving throws a wrench into my production schedule. Reminiscent of the old bakery days, this secular Thursday holiday is usurped by more pressing obligations. Sending my kids off to family, I drown my sorrows in pumpkin pie; yep ~ 2 of them. I ate 2 pumpkin pies in 5 days.

Alone in the kitchen with the airplane droning sound of the range hood, the intermittent cycling of the refrigeration motors, the periodic ice falling in the ice machine and with Edgar Allan Poe heart trobbing and mental anguish as I watch the clock consume Thursday, I hear my Blackberry ping ~ I've got mail.

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Kosherfest 2012
Posted: November 17, 2012

Kosherfest, an amazing tradeshow of who's who in the kosher food business, proceeds last week in Seacaucus, New Jersey despite the havoc brought on by hurricane Sandy. While areas of New Jersey are demolished, the Meadowlands Exposition Center is surprisingly unscathed.

Having attended Kosherfest in years past, I decide it would be fun to get a booth and join the party. Two years after launching LeahCooksKosher.com, it is time to research kosher products and see what's new. Eager to fill my "kosher products pantry", we upload the winners of the Kosherfest New Products contest. I'll write more about those later; that said ~ my personal favorite is Jack's Gourmet Facon. Sizzling sample, hot off the grill, had me fooled. Yum-yum!

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Vote!
Posted: October 31, 2012

Post-yontif catering throws us into a tail-spin for a couple of weeks. 8 hours of sleep in 4 days catering a marathon is followed by a bar mitzvah party and UW reception. Cleo and I go to our respective couches and drop. Last Shabbos, I'm 18 hours under the blankets; TGIS! Coming out of Shabbos hibernation, I hear of a storm swirling off the east coast. Doing event planning for 3 days, I'm distracted by the devastation.

I've been catering through 2 wars, Katrina, Joplin and now this. While I'm safely calculating tablecloths and creating menus, my events large and small are specks on the global stage. I like to keep a perspective that is mindful of the times; minimize the urge toward more than necessary. Tasteful, elegant but not over-the-top. The majority of my customers fall into this mindset. Watching the destruction on TV, homes washing away and burning to the ground, it is challenging to at times to imagine a beautiful wedding and put the details to paper.

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