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Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️
Jake Cohen, DINNER PARTY ANIMAL: Recipes to Make Every Day a Celebration
Chef and New York Times bestselling author Jake Cohen joins Zibby to discuss his fun, unfussy, and inventive new cookbook, DINNER PARTY ANIMAL: Recipes to Make Every Day a Celebration. Jake describes his shy childhood in Queens, how hosting early dinner parties helped him build confidence and community, and his journey from restaurant kitchens to cookbook success. He also discusses the joy and intimacy of gathering people around the table, the role of Shabbat in his life, a few of the fabulous recipes (such as brown butter Parker House rolls and tiramisu cake), and why hosting should feel fun rather than intimidating.
Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/46t9aO5
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(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.)
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37. Jen Butler, MOM, REDISCOVERED: My Midlife Breakup with Drinking and Diet Culture
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36. Heather Aimee O'Neill, THE IRISH GOODBYE: A Novel
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