Howliday Dogtail Pawrty & Pup Pawrade // CANCELLED

So sad to have to cancel this event. . .

 
 

But the health of our pups is of paramount importance. Many of you dog owners know there is a sudden outbreak of a canine respiratory illness of unknown origin, similar to case reports in other states. This respiratory illness is currently known as Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (aCIRD). Symptoms include cough, nasal discharge, sneezing and lethargy in dogs. Currently, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is in case-finding mode to determine if and to what extent there is a new respiratory illness impacting dogs in Los Angeles County. As additional information becomes available, they will update the public. If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately for evaluation. Please see Department of Health Press Release for further details.

 
 

Please join us in Beachwood Canyon Saturday December 16th at 6pm for our 5th Annual Howliday Dogtail Pawrty & Pup Pawrade! There will be biscuits for pups, cookies for humans and warm holiday mulled wine. You are of course welcome to bring your own beverage of choice. The pups are invited to wear light up necklaces or other holiday fare to join in the fun. Donations for Husky Rescue groups will be joyously accepted. The Pup Pawrade will start at 6:45 with Heloise the Classic Convertible and her eclectic howliday tunes leading the way.

 
 

Imogen Wins a Ribbon at the KCRW Good Food 10th Annual Pie Contest!

My wonderfully talented seven-year old student Imogen Freiwald won a 3rd Place ribbon on her first time entering the KCRW Pie Contest for her Cookies & Cream Pie! I am SO proud of her. Not only was this the first time she entered the contest, this was the first time she ever made pies at all. We have made cakes, cup cakes and cookies but anyone will tell you, pies are another story. Mainly this is because of all the steps involved to get to the final product. She worked really hard and did everything herself, including the piping on the top of the pie.

The most amazing thing was that a just a few moments later, I was awarded a 3rd Place ribbon as well. I hadn’t even wiped the tears away from Imogen’s win when I heard my name called. A very special day for sure.

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KCRW Good Food blog announcing the winners of the 10th Annual KCRW Good Food Pie Contest

KCRW Good Food Facebook Page where you can see photos from the 10th Annual KCRW Pie Contest.

ChocoPomStachio Gets a Ribbon Too

 
 

Not three minutes after sweet Imogen received her 3rd Place ribbon, my name was called for 3rd Place in the Levantine Category. I hadn’t wiped away the tears from her winning – or gotten back to my spot when I had to turn around and walk back to the stage. I couldn’t believe it! There are 500 pies entered in this contest every year. 500+ bakers baking there hearts out and creating beautiful beautiful pies. Walking around and seeing all the pies is awe inspiring every year. Having entered this contest for eight years straight, I have walked away like most, sad that my pie was not up to snuff in one way or another that day. Some years I have entered two pies! Which means you have to make four pies total - and carry them that long way from the parking lot to the drop off station. It is quite a challenge for a home baker.

What exactly is a Choco Pom Stachio Pie you might ask? Well, it has a dark chocolate cookie crust (made from scratch), a pistachio nut paste layer, then a layer of dark chocolate ganache, topped with a pomegranate glaze (made from pomegranate jelly by my friend Emma Stark and, heated to make it shiny), cardamom pine nut lace cookies on top of that and then a scattering of pomegranate seeds for snappy sweetness and decoration. The category I entered was described as “Garments from Ottoman Syria, inspired by Levantine Cuisine”. That is why I headed down this whacky path. More people entered this category than I would have thought.

I listen to KCRW and KCRW Good Food all the time. Like many others, I feel a part of the KCRW family and that we are all woven together in the fabric of this city. Attending this Pie Contest gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling to see this family in person, rather than just over the air waves. It is such an honor to be awarded a ribbon. Now I have won ribbons for two pies. What is most gratifying is to know that my first ribbon was not a complete fluke! So way better to go home with one than without. But this year is another year, and there will be another 500 pies and the same reality that there are very few ribbons for all those pies. I love baking and am always happy to have a reason to spend time in the kitchen and put something in the oven. And then give it away to all my neighbors!

 
Photo by Brian Feinzimer

Photo by Brian Feinzimer