Pictured Above: Hannah Levy's falafel burgers made at the cooking class hosted by the SBH Food Pantry.

On Monday Aug 7, Hannah Levy of HL Kitchen hosted a cooking class for the Sephardic Bikur Holim Food Pantry. Every week a different community chef hosts this cooking class and this week, I had the privilege of speaking to Mrs. Levy about this amazing Chesed.

Hannah has hosted four classes so far between Deal NJ in the Summer and Manhattan NY in the Winter. All of the food prepared goes directly to the SBH Food Pantry which provides food to people who either cannot cook due to illness or cannot afford to put food on the table for their families.

The event typically boasts about a dozen to two dozen volunteers on a weekly basis. Volunteers will come to the class to fill the pantries freezer with nutritious handmade food while simultaneously learning how to prepare recipes from our communities most talented chefs.

“This past class I taught the girls how to make two types of veggie burgers: Beet & Black Bean and a Falafel Veggie Burger,” said Hannah when asked what was on the menu for her last class.

“I need to formulate my recipes to be minimal cook recipes because there are no heat sources at the class,” explained Hannah, “The foods need to be able to be frozen or kept in the pantry so I have to rethink recipes I make up at home for the class.”

In previous classes Hannah has made an array of different meals that have gone to many people in need. Each recipe is clearly crafted with imagination and skill. Some of these dishes include spicy beef wontons, butternut squash wontons, asparagus puff pastry tarts, and mushroom squash lasagna.

“They (SBH) are always on top of organizing. SBH always makes sure that the classes are fun and also productive,” exclaimed Hannah.

Each flyer that goes out every week of the class lists a pantry item that the volunteers are asked to bring to the class to help fill the pantry. This week everyone who attended the class brought coffee with them.

Monday night’s cooking class was dedicated in loving memory of Shirley and Sam Maleh A’H by their grandchildren. To sponsor a session or reserve your spot you can call SBH at 732-531-1117.

Frieda Schweky

Frieda@sephardic.org

Frieda Schweky is Sephardic.Org's official community events reporter. For inquiries and to get involved with our site, please contact Frieda via email.