Jason Rose (L) and Caleb Zigas (R) of La Cocina Community Kitchen
Most of you know all about La Cocina's farmers' market stall from earlier posts, but as part of my promise to put all my "Fresh from the Farm" columns online (and in case there is renewed interest in, say, the sinfully good clairesquares -- ahem partygoers) here you go. More this week, including the King of local asparagus and the Queen of tomales.
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Flaky handheld pies stuffed with peppery beef. Buttery shortbread topped with caramel and a stamp of Belgian chocolate. Sweet jams made from nothing but sugar, lemon juice, and locally grown fruit. What do these treats have in common? They’re all made at La Cocina Community Kitchen, and beginning this February they’re available every Saturday at the Ferry Plaza farmers’ market.
La Cocina opened two years ago to help low-income entrepreneurs, primarily minority women, turn their food-related small business dreams into reality. The non-profit commercial kitchen located in the Mission provides more than a dozen participants with inexpensive kitchen space and advice from industry experts including chefs and marketers.
Though several La Cocina participants sell their wares at the Alemany Farmers’ Market, the Ferry Plaza stand can showcase more products to a wider audience – one that is already clamoring for more. On the first Saturday, program director Caleb Zigas and culinary director Jason Rose awoke at 5 a.m. to load their truck. By noon, the hot food was gone. By the end of the day, they had sold everything they brought.
The booth is designed for browsing, and each week they’ll be sampling something new. As new businesses get up and running, they’ll be added to the selection.
The Goods – Includes food from 7 La Cocina businesses: meat and veggie pies (Mystipies), vegetarian spring rolls (Shi’s Tofu), chocolate- and caramel-covered shortbread (Clairesquares), seasonal fruit jam (CMBsweets), plantain chips (Estrellita’s Snacks), alfajores (Sabores del Sur) and Brazilian honey cakes (Kika’s Treats). Hot items will rotate on a monthly basis.
The Markets – Alemany and Ferry Plaza farmers’ markets. The Ferry Plaza stand is located outside between The Fatted Calf and Bluebottle Coffee Company.
Fun Fact – La Cocina businesses draw from culinary traditions all over the world, from South Africa to Ireland, and from Chile to El Salvador.
Originally published in "Fresh from the Farm," Northside San Francisco March 2007. "Fresh from the Farm" is a monthly column on sustainable agriculture, humane husbandry & artisanal food production. Reprinted with permission.
I've heard about the La Cocina Community Kitchen before... I think it was on the Food Network. What a great idea, thanks for showcasing it again.
Posted by: Cynthia | June 12, 2007 at 04:15 PM