Cook of the Week: Young baker from Barrington turns Pie Day entrepreneur
It was a cracked phone screen that inspired our Cook of the Week, eighth-grader Elise Farley from Barrington. She wanted to raise money to replace it, so, because she had just learned how to make a pie, she decided to go door to door in her neighborhood and sell pies.
“I've always liked baking. I offered apple or pumpkin.”
After the success of her first foray into entrepreneurship, she collaborated with a friend and sold more pies on Pie Day (March 14 or 3.14).
“We took orders the day before and delivered them on pie day.” The best pie she has made thus far, however, was a four-berry pie, made with homemade crust and all. It wasn't one of the ones she offered for sale, however.
“It took a lot of time! The apple and pumpkin pies are really fast.”
Being of Italian descent, Elise may have inherited her love of baking and cooking. Both of her parents are good cooks, and Elise has grown up helping them in the kitchen.
“Dad's a big chef and my grandmother does a lot of cooking and baking, too. Every time I see her we experiment with different recipes she comes up with. One time we made butternut squash soup. It was really good,” says Elise.
Naturally, two family recipes that Elise often helps with are spaghetti and meatballs and lasagna. The family also enjoys Shepherds' Pie, though Elise hasn't learned to make that dish on her own … yet. Elise recently enjoyed taking a consumer science rotation at school, where she learned several cooking techniques, including how to make pizza.
Still, baking is her favorite, and with three younger brothers, she has her own taste test squad. She loves to make cupcakes and brownies, but with Christmas, cookies were the recent main event.
“Every year we make them and decorate them and give them to our neighbors,” explains Elise. The Farleys make several batches of various types of cookies. The favorite of the taste test squad is the classic peanut butter cookie topped with a Chocolate Kiss; she shares the recipe with us today.
Like all cooks, Elise has had a few flops.
“I tried one cupcake recipe that did not work at all. The cupcakes concaved on themselves. When that happens, you just throw them out and try again.”
Like many foodies, Elise enjoys watching the Food Network to get ideas.
“I like watching ‘Chopped' and ‘Cutthroat Kitchen,' but I really like Rachel Ray,” she says.
What's up next for Elise? She'd like to learn more.
“I'd like to learn how to make my own frosting recipe.”
Another Pie Day project would be fun, too, maybe as a fundraiser at school. And why not her own restaurant?
“I have thought about opening my own restaurant someday. I think it would be really cool.”
Pie will probably be on the menu.
• To suggest someone to be profiled here, send the cook's name, address and phone number to food@dailyherald.com.