COMMUNITY W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N N O R T H E A S T F L O R I D A
WOMEN'S PHILANTHROPY CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH IS GOING GLOBAL By Lauren Rickoff, Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida
The 2021 Women’s Philanthropy Champagne Brunch is sure to transport us out of Northeast Florida. The guest speaker, Leah Koenig, Jewish cookbook author and food writer, will highlight the global inspiration behind some of her most popular recipes. Leah has traveled throughout the world, visiting Jewish communities to immerse herself in their culinary history and taste. Her latest project focuses on the Roman Jewish community. The unique local Jewish cuisine features delicious items like fried artichokes and garlic marinated zucchini. Leah will share a bit about her exploration of Budapest. Tragically, the city lost much of its Jewish community and culinary heritage during the Holocaust. In recent years Budapest has had a small, but exciting, Jewish cultural renaissance. It includes a handful of Jewish restaurants serving traditional dishes like Hungarian cholent and matzo ball soup made with goose instead of chicken.
During a cooking demonstration, Leah will highlight her inspiration behind becoming a cookbook author. When she began writing about food full time, developing recipes came along with it. She found the process of developing recipes incredibly satisfying—both creatively and intellectually. It is complicated work to get a recipe to work reliably. Leah is looking forward to the Champagne Brunch. “Cooking with groups is one of my favorite parts about being a cookbook author. I love interacting with people, sharing stories and Jewish history, and creating something delicious together. Of course, nothing beats being in the same space, but I have been happily surprised by how intimate and engaging the experience can feel, even over Zoom. I look forward to meeting everyone for this important event.” The Champagne Brunch, co-chaired by Shylie Bannon and Erica Jolles, is Sunday, January 10, 2021. For details, contact Laurenr@jewishjacksonville.org. Check out Leah’s recipe for Potted Sweet-And-Sour Meatballs on page 21.
Jewish cookbook author and food writer, Leah Koenig
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