To learn more about your favorite local chefs and their treasured recipes, pick up a copy of The Culinary Mistress, a cookbook by Geri Wolf (theculinarymistress.com). This delightful collection of stunning photos, culinary history, and recipes with cooking tips gives unprecedented insight into the minds of some of Minnesota’s top chefs.
After getting your literary fix, head to Deirdre Davis and Allen Whitney’s River Chocolate Company retail cottage to sate your sweet tooth. Especially delightful are their delicious fudge sauces, truffles, and brownies (2822 W. 43rd St., Mpls., 612-926-8466). Or, if you’re looking to sample something new, try a treat from Lily Bloom’s Kitchen (612-986-3530, lilybloomskitchen.com). In addition to his mother’s gourmet macaroons (for which the company was named), Larry Shiller also offers dipped-chocolate coconut cookies and fruit-filled barks, all gluten-free, kosher, and found at any Kowalski’s Market (kowalskis.com).
Other locally made gluten-free goodies include Martha Glass’s Bistro Meringues, in such delectable flavors as cherry chocolate, mint chocolate, coconut, cocoa, and almond (bistrofavors.com, 612-386-3111).
Wash down all that sugar with a cup of cocoa or coffee from CityKid Java (citykidjava.com, 612-638-1001). A partner of Urban Ventures, a Minneapolis-based foundation, CityKid Java is a coffee company that sells coffee through local churches and corporations and provides jobs for youth participants. Find it at Cub, Target, and Festival Foods.
Sue Zelickson is the former host of WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought.
