The Art of Baking—Make or Buy Holiday Bliss

Aunt Emma’s apple crumb pie, Grandma Sherrie’s chocolate chip delights or mom’s walnut snowball cookies are something to look forward to each holiday season. Of course, I prefer simply to eat these yummy treats, but in recent years, I have “attempted” to match the delicious standards of some seriously amazing baked goods—and I do emphasize “attempted.”

When it comes to baking or trying your hand at the art of cooking, I have to admit—it’s not as easy as one may think. The preparation, the time and the patience involved in cooking or baking requires a special kind of love and appreciation for food. My problem is patience—I always begin with good intentions, but end up with extra crispy cookies or overcooked dishes—I don’t know why I refuse to use a timer. But, what I do know is that you must have the proper tools and ingredients in order to even get started.

Loaves and Fishes in Bridgehampton offers a plethora of amazing culinary tools, cookbooks, glassware, tableware and many other dining and kitchen essentials. I would imagine that if cooking were as important to me as shopping for the perfect pair of shoes, Loaves and Fishes would be the equivalent of shopping at Bergdorf’s or Henri Bendel—not that I shop there often, but a girl can dream. Back to reality and cooking, L&F offers the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) 50-piece Master’s set, priced at $1,599.99. This set would be an amazing gift for the “chef” in your family or serve as a great housewarming present for a newly married couple. The CIA Master’s set provides your kitchen with everything you could possibly need to get started on your culinary journey, including saucepans, pots, bakeware, mixing bowls, cutlery and an array of gadgets and tools.

And, if that doesn’t pan out (no pun intended), sign up for one of L&F’s many cooking classes offered at the Bridgehampton Inn. Hmmm, now that’s a great gift idea for those in need of a little culinary guidance like me. For more information, please visit www.landfcookshop.com.

Hildreth’s Home Goods store in Southampton also offers a wide variety of fabulous cooking essentials and great baking tools. Offering the latest and highest quality cooking gadgets, bakeware items and cooking utensils like a set of Emile Henry Bakeware, Pillivuyt Bakeware or a set of Ann Clark cookie cutters, this iconic home goods store has everything you need to assist you with every cooking situation imaginable—www.hildreths.com.

Williams-Sonoma in the Bridgehampton Commons is also a great source for cookware, cooking tools, cutlery, bakeware and cooking gadgets as well. Check out WS’s holiday cupcake stencils, dual blade pasta and pastry cutter, traditional flour sifter or holiday cupcake decorating kit—www.williams-sonoma.com.

But, if all your cooking expectations don’t turn out as well as anticipated, may I suggest making life simple—visit one of our fabulous local bake shops here on the East End. Tate’s Bake Shop offers a variety of delightful cookies, pies, squares, cakes, muffins, breads, cupcakes and more—www.tates.com. Blue Duck Bakery located in Southampton, Southold and Riverhead offers an amazing assortment of delicious baked goods and artisan breads—www.blueduckbakery.com. And, the piece de resistance, Pierre’s Gourmet and Bake Shop, located on Main Street in Bridgehampton is magnifique!—pastries, tarts, cookies and lots of sweet treats! Visit www.pierresbridgehampton.com.

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