Cooking Greek

“I don’t want you to just follow the recipe because it’s there,” Katherine Haidar says in an interview on Fox 59. “I want you to add your taste to it.”

Katherine, the owner of Cooking Greek, draws on a passion for the traditional recipes she learned from her Greek-born parents. She began cooking at age 8 and lets that experience shine through while leading hands-on classes. In the bustling kitchen, pupils gather to learn how to craft flaming cheese, moussaka, loukoumades, or greek wedding cookies and discover techniques such as the trick-counterclockwise stir. Katherine also incorporates vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free classes into the monthly schedule.

Katherine also brings that same dedication to authentic Mediterranean tastes to her adjoining eatery, where diners welcome plates filled with bites of roasted lamb, garlic, and eggplant. Build-your-own gyros let guests pack pitas with their choice of traditional meat, chicken, veggies, or falafel before adorning them with toppings ranging from feta to tzatziki. Many entrees are gluten-free; chefs infuse their signature lemon chicken with a blend of citrus and greek spices, and stuff dolmades with a wheat-free combination of rice, beef, and vegetables before tucking them into the oven. They also plot sweet finales with desserts including baklava, cannoli, and gluten-free chocolate cake.