Cook's Warehouse Annual Holiday Gift Reveal

There are few things better than a leisurely Sunday brunch especially when someone else is cooking! This was the case this morning when The Cook’s Warehouse hosted its fourth annual Blogger Breakfast or rather Brunch replete with Private Label Champagne from Sherlock's Wine Merchant!

We were treated to cooking demonstrations by Chef Adeline Borra is a French raised and trained chef with a wine and food heritage who is the founder of Atlanta-based Ma Cuisine by Adeline, a gourmet company and cuisine consultancy providing private dinners, catering for special parties, and hands-on cooking classes. Chef treated us to homemade Hummus, delicate Burgundian Gougeres, Quiche Lorraine with a seasonal salad, French Crepes filled with Peach-Rosemary Compote and Raspberry Panna Cotta. A Strawberry Basil soup was a sweet and tangy beginning to our morning and Chef shared her recipe with us:

2 pints strawberries, fresh or thawed
3 - 4 fresh basil leaves, torn
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
Juice of 1 lemon

Macerate strawberries and basil leaves in sugar for several hours or overnight. Place strawberries, water and lemon juice in a blender or food processor and process until liquefied and smooth. Chill until ready to serve. Garnish with basil leaves and a fresh strawberry slice. Chef Borra also suggests adding a bit of champagne for an elegant cocktail.

We all shared a champagne toast in celebration of The Cook’s Warehouse’s 20th Holiday Anniversary and in between cooking demos, owner, Mary Moore, presented her Top 20 Gifts for the 2014 Holiday Season:

• Atlanta, Georgia & North Pole 100% Cotton Towels and Aprons by Cat Studio - $19.99 to $31.99 
• Carry On In-Flight Cocktail Kit - $19.99
• Spread THAT! or Scoop THAT! - $19.99 
• Vinnebago Thermos (available in white or black) - $29.99
• Wusthof 200th Anniversary 8-inch Chef’s Knife - Reg. $165 Sale $89.99
• The Coravin 1000 Wine Access System - $299.99 
• HOST Freeze Wine Glasses - $24.99 for set of 2
• SiftStir & RSVP Chef's Duster by the Everyday Gourmet - $15.99 & $19.99
• Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker - $9.99 Black or Green; $14.99 Stainless 
• BLENDTEC Blenders – $379.99 to $649.99
• Lotus Grills (Compact & Portable) - $249.99 to $349.99
• Beautiful Briny Sea Sugars (Mexican Chocolate, Beautiful Dreamer (French Rose), or Spicy Orange Chili) - $17.99 each
• Darex Work Sharp Knife Sharpening System by Ken Onion- $129.99
• Delonghi Magnifica XS - Reg. $2,900.00 Sale $1,499.99
• MINIMAX by Big Green Egg® - $597.99
• JK Adams Concave Cutting Boards - $36.99 to $86.99
• Whiskey Wedge by Corkcicle - $14.99
• Trudeau Laguiole 6-piece Steak Knife Set in box - $99.99
• GarlicCone Garlic Peeler - $6.99
• Plant Nanny - $9.99

After the wonderful meal, we had the opportunity to mingle with fellow bloggers as we meandered and shopped making sure to snag some of the hot items suggested by Mary for friends and family. We each received a goodie bag including a GarlicCone Garlic Peeler, a 1/4 –pound bag of Thrive Coffee, a gourmet candy cane from Hammond’s Candies along with other kitchen items. Thanks so much to The Cook’s Warehouse for their hospitality and generosity!