If you don’t know your chop from your mince and aren’t sure you have a knife that could accomplish either, then you need to meet Bonnie Bock.
Her store, Someone’s in the Kitchen, is a Libertyville favorite—she was nominated by numerous readers for this issue—because of Bonnie’s willingness to share and help.
“Food is fun,” she says. “I’ll spend a lot of time talking to someone and telling them how to start with simple but delicious things.” Like a steak rubbed with an herb olive oil then just grilled.
Someone’s in the Kitchen sells cooking tools and gadgets. They also offer a range of cooking classes from Brazilian taste adventures to knife skills. It’s part of the community Bonnie has built around her store. “It’s an extension of my home,” she says, “like a live Food Network show, and you get to eat.”
She also has a cookbook club that brings together passionate cooks. Bonnie chooses one cookbook a month, the 10 to 15 members each cook a different dish from the book, and then they meet at the store to taste and talk. It’s so popular, she has a waitlist for each session.
And in the spirit of giving and sharing, Bonnie has organized her clients and friends to help those who are starting over. For Maristella, which aids homeless and at-risk women, she’s organizing a trade-in where she accepts gently used pots and pans, as well as toiletries for Mother’s Day gift bags.
“I have a vision of these women walking into an apartment that’s empty and bare,” she says of her motivation. Since having cookware enables these women to provide nourishing meals for their families, it’s a natural match for Bonnie’s energies.
To learn more about Maristella, go to maristella.org and to find out more about Someone’s in the Kitchen and the collection for Maristella, go to mycookbookclub.com
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