Hosting a Press Event for "Martha Stewart's Cooking School"
On Wednesday of this week, after my regular appearance on The Today Show, I dashed to my offices in the Starrett Lehigh building in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. I needed to get there on time because I was hosting a press event in our new kitchen set. This kitchen is actually one of my kitchens from The Home Depot and it was relocated from my television show. We were celebrating the launch of my brand new television show, “Martha Stewart’s Cooking School,” premiering October 6 and 7 on PBS stations nationwide. Fans can access clips of the show each week, along with recipes, on PBS.org. We’ll also offer the show in full, along with recipes, on marthastewart.com within 48 hours of airing. Viewers will learn the basics or improve their cooking skills while studying classic recipes and classic techniques that are the building blocks of a culinary education. They’ll also pick up a few of my favorite kitchen tricks. I hope you’ll tune in!
1 We served our guests a colorful breakfast of vibrant soft scrambled eggs from my own chickens, tomato coulis, and brioche toast with my homemade jam. The eggs were flavored with parsley and chives and formed into quenelle shapes.
2 An elegant way to serve grapefruit is to loosen the segments from the membranes with a sharp knife and broil the grapefruit halves for a few minutes, then top each half with a candied blood orange slice. The recipe is on page 325 of my book, Martha's Entertaining.
3 Helping in the kitchen was Nicole Coppola - freelance cook and Thomas Joseph - who worked on my TV show and the Cooking School show and is now Director of Food Development.
4 Here I am with Sheila Feren - my publicist who works with me on my television shows and Thomas Joseph.
5 The guests enjoyed their breakfast and were eagerly awaiting my presentation.
6 I welcomed everyone to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and I went on to explain about my new show, Martha Stewart's Cooking School, which is loosely based on my eponymous 2008 best-selling book.
7 The group was very attentive as I told them that what we're trying to accomplish with this show is to teach the viewer how to cook really well.
8 I went on to play a sizzle video from the show.
9 Lisa Cericola - Sr. Food Editor @ iVillage joined me on set for a personal cooking lesson on how to make a really exceptional mac & cheese.
10 I asked Lisa if she enjoyed cooking and she assured me that she did, but would love to find more time to spend in the kitchen.
11 We made a béchamel sauce with melted butter, flour, and milk. When that was nice and thick, we added four cheeses - fontina, extra-sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere.
12 We seasoned the béchamel with a little cayenne pepper and a generous shaving of nutmeg.
13 When we stirred in the macaroni, the final product was exactly what you want in a mac & cheese - rich and creamy and very cheesy!
14 The mac & cheese was spooned into little ramekins and each one topped with a Parmesan frico crisp for all the guests to sample.
15 The next thing I taught was how to make a simple and delicious vinaigrette. I like to mix grapeseed oil and olive oil when dressing tender greens because grapeseed is much lighter in flavor and balances out the strong flavor of olive oil.
16 I like a three-to-one ratio of oil to vinegar. You can play around with any combination of oil and vinegar (or other acids, like lemon or lime juice), but I prefer the delicate flavor of rice wine vinegar. I also add a spoon of Dijon mustard.
17 Frazier Moore, of Associated Press, smelled and sampled his vinaigrette.
18 Guests were given fresh greens for dipping.
19 I suggested that home cooks not buy giant amounts of olive oil, but rather purchase smaller-size bottles of a good-quality brand.
20 You should also experiment and vary your oils. There are so many to choose from.
21 I was happy to see that many notes were being taken.
22 After the lesson in making vinaigrette, I demonstrated how to peel a head of garlic with no sticky mess. You simply drop the entire head into a metal bowl.
23 You then cover the bowl with another metal bowl of equal size.
24 You then start shaking!
25 When you uncover the bowl, you find that you have perfectly peeled cloves of garlic!
26 It's pretty amazing and quite fun!
27 With Frazier Moore, of Associated Press
28 After the guests left, I then had an on-camera interview with Extra's, AJ Calloway.
29 I decided to show AJ the garlic trick.
30 AJ had no idea what to expect.
31 I handed it over to him.
32 AJ was amazed!
33 I told the camera that if AJ could do it, you can too!
34 A nice shot with AJ
Martha Pins
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Martha,
Good luck on your new show,everything looked amazing, but in pic. no4, my God!, you look majestic!
Posted by: Chris | September 21st, 2012 at 1:19 am
You bet I'll be tuning in!
I miss your Hallmark program, I was a loyal viewer, but I am thrilled your back on the telly!
gail
Posted by: gail pierson | September 21st, 2012 at 6:02 am
I'm very excited about your new show on PBS Martha! The breakfast you served to the press looked yummy, especially the grapefruit and I like your tip on using grapeseed oil with olive oil in a vinaigrette, which I agree, olive oil can be overpowering in a salad of delicate greens. I haven't tried your technique of peeling a head of garlic yet, but I will! Thanks for this blog Martha, I always learn something new.
Posted by: Cindy F | September 21st, 2012 at 6:22 am
Looking forward to your cooking school Martha !! Wonderful tip on peeling garlic, thank you.
Posted by: Gail Hildreth | September 21st, 2012 at 6:40 am
What size are the stainless steel bowls, and where can you purchase them?
Posted by: Josie Housell | September 21st, 2012 at 6:53 am
Dear Martha,
please send this show to Brazil, we need this !!
Best regards,
Lylian
Posted by: Lylian Falcão | September 21st, 2012 at 7:08 am
Thank you, Martha! Although I consider myself a very good cook, I always learn something from you. I am looking forward to you new show.
Posted by: Kim in Apex | September 21st, 2012 at 7:55 am
I'm thrilled about the new show, Martha! I really can't wait for it to start airing!
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | September 21st, 2012 at 8:28 am
Really looking forward to the show. Hallmark channel wasn't available to us, fortunately, I am absolutely thrilled to see the shows will be on PBS. Best wishes to you and your staff, Martha, for what I believe is going to be a very successful season!
Posted by: Julie | September 21st, 2012 at 9:02 am
Greetings from London Martha! Congrats on your new show and best wishes. I can't wait to watch it online. Love the photos looks like you had so much fun in the press event.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | September 21st, 2012 at 9:09 am
I too am looking forward to the show and I like that it will air more than once during the week in case I happen to miss it the first time around. I have bookmarked the schedule of shows through December so I know what to look forward to. Every show looks interesting and I especially want to see the butchering show the week of November 3 and 4. Seeing Evan Lobel always reminds me of your old shows.
Thanks for this blog, and as of today the count down is down to 15 days! Trish
Posted by: Trish | September 21st, 2012 at 9:28 am
Hi Martha, Thank you so much for sharing this latest, wonderful blog about your new PBS Show that will air on October 6th and 7th for all of us to thoroughly enjoy! How great that we can also see it on your website within 48 hours and can get the recipes! I feel so lucky that I have your best seller book from 2008, "Martha Stewart's Cooking School' and it is the best! Your photos and comments today are marvelous! How fun to see you with Nicole, Thomas, and Sheila in photos #3&4! All three of you look so happy and you look gorgeous! You look so great in all the other photos and the press members look so interested and happy, also! That breakfast you gave them looks so delicious and I will have to try it, too! The press people sure had fun making that vinaigrette! I like your information about buying olive oil-great idea! Your new way to peel those garlics was fabulous and AJ certainly was fascinated by it! Thanks again for sharing this superior blog! You make me so happy every day! Hope you have another great day and a fabulous weekend! Off to see The Daily Wag about "GK and the Purple Finch and Trouble!" Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | September 21st, 2012 at 10:05 am
Can't wait to try the metal bowl trick for the garlic ! I'm looking forward to your new show. Halloween is right around the corner !
Posted by: Bea Trainer | September 21st, 2012 at 10:57 am
What fun MArtha! Your roasted chicken recipes are my favorites! Also, don't you just love to top things off with a flavorful, crispy frica /frico?
Stop by next summer when we are making garlic scape pesto...amazing!
Posted by: Nantucket Daffodil | September 21st, 2012 at 11:01 am
This is going to be a great opportunity for learning and I had same thing for a simple and beautiful breakfast that you served media. PBS may not be the only channel for me but since days of Julia Child, Have watched it here on Dakota Prairie, even with reception from antennas. Last night, PBS had Louise Erdrich reading from THE ROUND HOUSE and have listened to her read for many years as well. She also has much loved dogs and they have have their own blog. Have you ever thought of Native cuisine segment? FRY bread
Posted by: ann | September 21st, 2012 at 11:23 am
Hi Martha,
It could be a great opportunity to learn new tips in the kitchen but unfortunately we can't see your program in Brazil.
]I'm sure it will be a great success.
<3
Posted by: Maria Lúcia | September 21st, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Martha, I became your fan years ago after watching a PBS Thanksgiving special you did. You held the dinner in your tobacco barn. You had all your serving dishes in cabinets in the basement. You made a sweet potatoe pie without a mixer, you just used a whip. I loved that special. So it only seems natural to watch you on PBS. Congratulations and brake a leg!
Posted by: Lilly | September 21st, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Martha: Very happy you will be back on the air. Martha Stewart's Cooking School is one of my favorite cookbooks. I make your lemon and/or ginger-soy vinaigrette on a regular basis and grill my veges using your herbed oil - so delicious. I use a lot of grapeseed oil to cook chicken and fish, but never thought about using grapeseed oil and olive oil together. Good idea and very healthy. Great garlic tip! Look forward to watching your new show.
Posted by: Carol G | September 21st, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Martha, I'll for sure be tuned in on October! Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | September 21st, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Yeah, you are back on tv! I can't imagine you not being on tv around the holidays, but i am so glad you will have a cooking show! I see you have lots of new ideas!
Posted by: Alice McDonald | September 21st, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Hi Martha. Looking forward to your new show. Please do some crafts along with your cooking. See you on TV very soon!
Posted by: Jan | September 21st, 2012 at 5:27 pm
So glad to hear about the new show! I will be watching!
Posted by: Jessica F | September 21st, 2012 at 8:50 pm
I am glad you are going to be having your cooking show on pbs .glad your back .
Posted by: carolyn leverette | September 21st, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Martha so glad you will be back on tv. I agree with the other comment crafts would also be nice, kind of like your old shows on lifetime. I started following you back in 1995 when I was home with my first baby. I have truely grown as a cook, crafter, decorator,etc all because of you. THANK YOU Martha for years of inspiring ideas.
Posted by: rita | September 21st, 2012 at 10:12 pm
I am looking forward to your new program. I have not been able to watch your show since you switched to cable since I was not in the right area. I welcome you back to my world. Sharon Fox
Posted by: Sharon Fox | September 21st, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Good Luck! I will be watching. All your showss have been AMAZING!
Marguerite
Posted by: Marguerite Gargiulo | September 22nd, 2012 at 12:20 am
I can hardly wait for the cooking show to begin. I am liking the idea of using the I the combination of grapeseed/olive oil and, hey, what a fun new way to peel garlic.
It's going to be an awesome Fall!
Posted by: sherey | September 22nd, 2012 at 10:56 am
I saw you on the Today Show and I agree and understand what you were saying, even if others did not. I wish we could all speak our minds more often and have more people understand the point we are making. So much of the backlash is because of people who do not want to understand or who are to narrow-minded to understand. I miss watching your show on T.V.. I only have free T.V., but will try and keep up with your show on the computer at the library.
Posted by: Mary Roybal | September 22nd, 2012 at 2:56 pm
I am looking forward to your new show, and to learn new techniques and recipes. Good Luck
Posted by: Helena Pereira | September 22nd, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Congratulations, Martha and team,
You all seem to hit the nail on the head
with every endeavor you shoot for !
Excited to see it !
Best wishes,
Dots
Posted by: Dots | September 22nd, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Dear Martha:
I am
so happy to have you back on regular TV, specially my favorite stations PBS. I watched all of your TV programs while at NBC, but I did not have cable so I could not follow you while at Hallmark.
Dear Martha Good luck wit your new program and I will be there to support you.
Yours truly,
Diana
Posted by: diana escobar | September 23rd, 2012 at 8:27 am
really glad you're going to be back on tv, martha. always admired your ease of explaining things. i get inspired by you. all best.
Posted by: sherry | September 23rd, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Martha, I've missed you. So happy you'll have a new show. I have Dish Network and hope they pick your show up (they don't always pick up the same shows as local tv). If not, I'll be watching on the Internet.
Posted by: Cat S | September 23rd, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Hi Martha,
I will be watching your show on PBS.
Good Luck,
Dianna F., WA.
Posted by: dianna | September 23rd, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Martha, I must live under a rock. I will so miss you on a daily basis but I would not miss your new show on WETA in October. I love everything you do and you keep us so interested in cooking, gardening, crafts and so many other things.
If I owned a network your shows would be number one on my list and I would promote the genuine good American entertainment that you have shown to provide. Love you and even my husband loved your shows. Love and success to you on this new venture.
Posted by: Evelyn Myers | September 24th, 2012 at 10:05 pm
Sounds Great! I am glad that you will be returning to tv- and to a really accessible channel-- pbs. I'm sure that many viewers will want to tune in!
Posted by: David | September 25th, 2012 at 12:12 am
Dear Martha,I've been a fan of yours for years and will miss your show on Hallmark.But I'm glad to see you will be PBS and will continue to watch.I still have the very first issue of your magazine,imagine that.Thanks for all the great years of ideas and "good things"!Good luck with the new show.
Posted by: Suzanne Flamm | September 25th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Martha, I really miss your daily show on Hallmark! I have had to reorganize my weekdays now since I planned everything around being able to watch the show. I will check out the new series on PBS. I wish you the best with this new cooking show!
Posted by: Robbie Endris | September 25th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Hello Martha! are you going to have live guests on your cooking show? And if you are can or will it be viewers?.. Or simply yourself Alone teaching. I would love to come aboard and lend a hand on cooking with Martha,Foods of my culture:-).Anyhow Good Luck To you on your new Show and I will be watching would not miss it for the World.xx)
Posted by: darlene Martinez | September 25th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Martha, I'm thrilled to hear that you will be showing this programme on marthastewart.com as I can't access PBS in Australia. It will be so good to see you "on the air". I always learn something new and build on my cooking skills. It keeps me passionate about cooking and life- You're never too old to learn something new.
Thanks Erica
Posted by: Erica Hanwright | September 25th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Martha: You are an American treasure. I look forward to watching your new show on PBS.
Honestly, I miss your daily Martha Stewart Show and Martha Bakes.
I hope you and your team will air these programs again. Thank you for teaching us so much about cooking, crafts, entertaining, shopping, and travel.
Posted by: Anita Taylor | October 17th, 2012 at 11:09 am
Love the garlic trick! Good luck with the show.
Posted by: Karen | October 20th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Love your kitchen cabinets on your new kitchen show. Which style are they from Home Depot? Loved your "vegetable" class today!
Posted by: Clara Clark | October 20th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Martha,Martha,Martha. I love 'ya, so glad your back on t.v. I love your ideas for entertaining. God Bless and the best of luck. P.S. I bought sheets from your linen line at Macy's this summer. I'll be watching as always.
Posted by: Estella Cohen | October 26th, 2012 at 12:07 am