Stacey Damesek met Rachel Harkham when they just so happened to be in the same baby class with their first children, and since then have remained friends and looked for an opportunity to collaborate.
Two years ago, Damesek opened Cookie Girl Bake Shop in New City. This year, Harkham, another Rockland resident, authored a cookbook called “Get Cooking: A Jewish American Family Cookbook.”
So on Thursday, the two finally collaborated, as Damesek hosted a book signing event at her shop. The two also partnered on chocolate truffle cookies, with Damesek baking the cookie part and Harkham handling the chocolate.
Harkham wrote the book with Jewish children’s musician Mama Doni, who sings on a CD that comes with the cookbook.
Harkham said the book covers menu ideas for Jewish holidays, as well as American holidays, and each menu tells a story about that specific holiday. Harkham is also a chocolatier, so each holiday has some chocolate ideas.
“I would call the style of food new Jewish cuisine in that it’s Jewish cuisine with an American spin, a global spin,” she said.
The book contains recipes for what Harkham called “KFC, Kosher fried chicken.” It can be purchased on Harkham’s website, RecipeRachel.com.
Damesek said Thursday’s event was the first kind of event she’s done at the shop, but she would like to start doing more.
“I think it’s great for the community,” she said. “There are a lot of fun things going on around here that we can celebrate.”
