Cooks & BooksFlorida Library Association Conference

May 13, 2015

Stacie A. Larson, MSLSMaitland Public Library

Agenda

•How & why MPL has cooking programs•How YOU can do it•MPL’s Dream Kitchen•Throughout: Live Cooking Demo

Menu

•Tomato Sauce•Meatballs•Fried Eggplant (for the vegetarians)

Why cook at the library?

•Engage patrons• They trust us• Programs, not products• Can increase use of library materials

• Improve patrons’ lives• Introduction to new cultures•Health benefits

Cooking at the Maitland Public Library•2008: Ha Roda, author of James Beard Foundation Award nominated cookbook, A Vietnamese Kitchen, moved to Maitland•2011: Learning & Cultural Center founded•Patrons want to share their food!

Cultural Cooks

•Vietnamese• Italian•Cuban•Venezuelan•Caribbean

•West African (Liberia & Cameroon)•American Southern•Cooking Up Culture (for kids)

Healthy Maitland

•Winter Park Health Foundation created Healthy Central Florida initiative to combat diabetes, heart disease, and obesity in Winter Park, Maitland, and Eatonville

Healthy Maitland

•Member, Healthy Maitland team since January 2012•Creator of Maitland Walks•Annual 5K Race•Yoga classes at the Library•Active Aging Week

Healthy Cooking

•Vegetarian•Gluten-Free•Healthy Chefs of Maitland•Living with Diabetes•Fresh for Kids

Other Cooking

•Easy Entertaining•Summer Cooking•Upcoming:•Do-It-Yourself Lunch Boxes•Chocolate Lovers

Entertaining at the Library

•Tea, coffee at adult programs•Nibbles and Kool-Aid at youth programs•Quarterly Afternoon Teas•Volunteer Appreciation•Summer Reading•Princess & Fairy Tale•Holiday

Facilities – the Basics

•Sink•Fire extinguisher•Tables

Adjustable High Strength Plastic Table,6-foot, $152.00 from K-Log

Equipment

•Ha brought her own.•Portable home electrics are relatively cheap, easy to store, and generally acceptable to the Fire Marshal.

Equipment

•Burners:

$43, Amazon

Duxtop, Single Burner Induction$79.99, Amazon

Triple burner – Do Not Buy!Not enough power!

$11.99, Amazon

Other Useful Appliances

•Electric wok - $60-$100•Electric skillet - $25-$50•Crock-pot - $20-$50•Toaster oven - $25+•No Fry-Daddy!

Kitchen Gadgets You’ll Want

•Spatulas (4/$9 Amazon; 4/$5 HomeGoods)•Measuring cups & spoons•Can opener•Big spoons•Strainer/colander•Decent knives

Sourcing Equipment

•Amazon is easy, not always cheap•Wayfair (call them to get a dedicated buyer)•Old Time Pottery•Christmas Tree Shop•Dollar Tree•HomeGoods• IKEA•Restaurant supply store•Big boxes: Wal-Mart, Target, BB&B

Serving

•Disposable vs. Washable• Initial investment• Cost over time•Hygiene• Storage• Environmental concerns

•Have serving plates, bowls, utensils•Cooks can bring own pots & pans

Dress-Up

•Tablecloths• Cheap from Christmas Tree Shop• Make your own with 60x84” fabric from Wal-Mart• Easy to wash up• Adds elegance, hides ugly meeting room tables!

•Tea & Coffee Service• Cups & saucers• Coffee is cheap per cup• Use individually wrapped tea bags – no Celestial Seasons

•Printed Napkins – cocktail & dinner

What does this cost?!

Bill for Ingredients Today

Eggplant (2) $5.33Breadcrumbs $1.69Parmesan (2) $5.98Crushed tomato $2.49Tomato sauce (3) $2.67Onions (5 lb.) $2.99

Garlic bulb $0.63Ground beef (6 lb.)$32.94

Not included: eggs, herbs, salt, pepper

Total…………………………..$54.72

Deciphering the[Fire] Code

NFPC & LSC

•The National Fire Prevention Code defines most libraries as Assembly Occupancies•Prohibits open flames•Requires additional care for grease-laden vapors

•The Life Safety Code allows small open flames for existing Assembly Occupancies•Conflict?

So, what to do?

•Talk to your Fire Marshal first. Ask how you can do cooking demos (not if!).•Our Marshal’s answer: our quantities and frequency are small so•No open flames•Household electrics ok•Have fire extinguisher handy•No deep frying; no light frying without lid

Hygiene Standards

•Chapter 64E-11.001(1), Food Hygiene – General, of the Florida Administrative Code states “Food operations occurring at facilities or premises other than what is defined in Section 381.0072, F.S., are not regulated by this chapter.”•Florida Statutes § 381.0072 defines which institutions are subject to inspection by county Departments of Health

Hygiene Standards

•Libraries are not on that list•However, some inspectors could rule libraries are covered by “Other Food Service”•Talk to your local inspector before starting•Even if you’re not subject to inspection, practice good hygiene!

Where to Find Teachers

•Patrons!•County Extension Service•Master Food & Nutrition Volunteers

•Community colleges•Restaurants•Outreach•Health organizations

Where to Find Money

•Local clubs•Rotary•Women’s Club•Kiwanis•Other Civic Organizations

Where to Find Money

•Regional Health Organizations•Winter Park Health Foundation•Health Foundation of South Florida (Miami)•Quantum Foundation (West Palm)• Palm Healthcare Foundation (West Palm)•Allegheny Franciscan Ministries (Tampa, Palm Beach, Broward, Dade)•Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Venice)•Blue Foundation (Blue Cross Blue Shield)

The Future of Cookingat MPL

Where We Are Now

•Two adjustable leg 6-foot tables•6 6-foot tables, with cloths, for audience•Portable electric devices•Assorted gadgets•Glass catering plates•Silverware•Coffee & tea

Where We Are Now

Issues to Be Addressed

•Tables got wobbly over time – used a LOT•Sanitation difficult – water must reach 140° to sanitize•No real baking facilities•Three-burner stove is low power•Cooks aren’t keen on makeshift space now that they know good space is coming•Storage at a premium

How We’re Changing

•Previous relationship with WPHF•WPHF suggested getting grant for proper kitchen•We asked how much? Expected $11,000ish•WPHF said $40,000!•WPHF funded kitchen• Elder health working group $18,000• Community health working group $18,000

What Is Changing

•Kitchen contractor designed floorplan• Includes storage•Full-size refrigerator & oven•Apartment-size dishwasher•2-burner induction range•Garbage disposal (would that we had one in kitchenette!)

Maitland’s Dream Kitchen

Maitland’s Dream Kitchen

Maitland’s Dream Kitchen

Maitland’s Dream Kitchen

In Sum . . .

•Cooking programs interest and benefit your patrons.•Build your community relationships.•Ask your inspectors for help.•Start small; you don’t need to be fancy to succeed.

Following Up

•slarson@maitlandpl.org•www.maitlandpubliclibrary.org/FLA_Demo for PowerPoint and recipes