March 2020
Leslie Lennox 

Leslie Lennox grew up outside NYC. In 2007, she founded Hope's Gardens, an artisan pesto manufacturer with her husband Dave. Following creative stints in LA and ATL, Leslie returned to NYC with her family in 2016. Over the last 4 years she has documented everything she learned as a "Pesto-preneur" in her first cookbook, PESTO: The Modern Mother Sauce. Today, she can be found doing classes, PESTO events and demos around the country.

Pesto of the Month Blog

Recipes from Leslie
Pea Shoot Pesto, Vegan and Traditional Style
Pea Shoot Pesto Vinaigrette
Roasted Root Veggies over Creamy Polenta topped with Vegan Pea Shoot Pesto
Roasted Salmon, topped with Panko Crumbs & Pea Shoot Pesto over Sweet Pea Puree
Sausage & Farro Stuffed Peppers over Shaved Cauliflower Salad 

January 2020 
Chef Laëtitia Rouabah of Benoit

Executive Chef Laëtitia Rouabah brings a wealth of knowledge of traditional French cooking, as well as her love for fresh produce, to a modernized Benoit, Alain Ducasse’s flagship restaurant in the heart of New York City.

Laëtitia inherited her passion for cooking--with an emphasis on highlighting the natural beauty of ingredients--from her mother and grandmother, which inspired her to study culinary arts at the Chamber of Craftsmanship in Versailles.

As Executive Chef at Benoit, Laëtitia stays true to the spirit of quintessential bistro fare, focusing on using fresh market ingredients and utilizing sophisticated techniques to showcase the best of French classics.

Recipes from Chef Laëtitia Rouabah
Corn Velouté, Crispy Lump Crab
Duck a l'Orange
Onion Soup
Profiteroles
Striped Bass

November 2019
Food Creative Mercedes Golip

Mercedes Golip grew up in Caracas and lived for many years in Miami before settling in New York. Her cooking style does not adhere to strict Venezuelan traditions, she creates dishes with classic foundations, reinvented and influenced by other cuisines — a metaphor for her life. As a creative and curious home cook, Mercedes loves spending long hours in the kitchen preserving and even planting her own food, she is also an experienced consultant and creative producer in the marketing world; casual food stylist, recipe tester and developer for media outlets and blogs. Mercedes hosts Venezuelan-inspired pop-up dinners and teach cooking classes to spread out the word about the food she loves. This project is highly driven and inspired by local producers and the amazing vegetables they grow. Currently Mercedes lives in Astoria. When she’s not behind a stove, you can probably find her looking for inspiration at farmers’ or flea markets, or planting herbs and heirloom tomatoes.

Recently, Mercedes developed an eBook, Arepas, A Colorful Story, a step-by-step guide on how to make colorful arepas with vegetable dyes. The eBook focuses on one color, covering other techniques with the hope to inspire readers go beyond. Find out more at Arepas Por Venezuela. 
IG: @IamBananista

Recipes from Mercedes Golip
Calabaza Soup with Sour Cream and Pomegranate Seeds
Turkey Corn Dumplins Shakshuka Style
Vegan Ceviche
Masa Cornbread
 

October 2019
Pastry Chef Sofia Schlieben of PRINT Restaurant 

PRINT Restaurant Executive Pastry Chef Sofia Schlieben is NYC born and raised. She wasted no time and started working from an early age for some of the city’s most decorated chefs. She has worked for Thomas Keller, Michael White and Jean Georges. Sofia became Pastry Chef at Michelin-starred Veritas, and then went on to become Corporate Pastry Chef for John Fraser’s Dovetail, NIX and The Loyal. She now joins PRINT and is incredibly excited to showcase her skills in such a thoughtful and seasonal restaurant.

Recipes from PRINT Restaurant: 
Brown Butter Madeleines
Shakshuka with Quail Eggs
Elephant Heart Mocktail 

September 2019 
Chef David Stample of In Cucina

We’re happy to kick off our Chef Recipe Series with Chef David Stample, who creates Southern soul food with spicy Caribbean flavor, a flavor palette he picked up from his Caribbean family.

Chef David currently serves as Creative Director and Resident Chef at In Cucina, an event space and cooking studio in the Flatiron district, and he has worked as the Culinary Director of CREaM (Culinary-Related Entertainment and Marketing), won first place in the 2015 Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, and is a ‘Hunger Hero’ with the nonprofit No Kid Hungry. 

Beginning Friday Sept. 6th, come out to GrowNYC’s Union Square Greenmarket from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. on Mondays and Friday throughout    September to see Chef David in action. 

Recipes from Chef David:
Watermelon Caprese Salad
Curried Cauliflower
Cantaloupe Salsa
Summer Squash & Corn Saute