Cynthia Goch, a top-notch (and local!) chef with Italian roots and also the founder of GochYa Cooking, announces the launch of the revised edition of her first cookbook, MaMa Mia Cucina.
MaMa Mia Cucina, translated as “My Mother’s Kitchen,” is a guide to old-world Italian cooking and is dedicated to bringing families together in the kitchen and around the table through our connections to one another, good times and delicious food.
The new cookbook, launching in October 2011, includes a variety of recipes from main dishes to desserts – all resulting from four generations of passionate Italian cooks in Goch’s family, who served as her most influential culinary teachers.
Goch was interested in the art of cooking at a very young age, but was not permitted to take part in the kitchen activities until later. In fact, she could often be found mimicking her role models by making mud pies in her backyard and constructing make-believe ovens out of rocks. At age 10, Goch’s family began teaching her the skills that were passed down from great-grandmother Cesira (Jessica) Proietti, who was a professional cook for the affluent of Rome, Italy.
“The first dish I prepared completely on my own was the salad,” says Goch. “Prior to age 10, I was only allowed to watch and not mess in the kitchen. When I finally got my hands in that bowl, it was a big deal.”
Goch compiled MaMa Mia Cucina with her grandmother, Maria DiPalma, who she affectionately called “Noni.” She brings a unique personality to the book with personal stories of family and tradition, allowing readers to become and feel a part of her celebration of life, as she weaves tradition throughout, and invites readers to cook and share her recipes.
Goch is a recipient of the 2010 Chester County’s Women In Motion ‘Tiramisu Throwdown,’ a contributor to the Emmy Award-winning PBS Television Series, “Christina Cooks,” and a writer for “Foodie News” featured in the Northern and Southern editions of The Chester County Women’s Journal.
Goch’s mission is to bring friends and family together around the dinner table through the art of cooking. The nearly 120 recipes in the book are divided into15 separate categories: appetizers, bread, salad, soup, sauces, pasta, poultry, fish, meats, vegetables, cookies, pies, cakes, desserts and brunch. Amongst them are Italian classics such as rum cake, wedding soup, manicotti and eggplant parmesan.
When asked if another cookbook is on the horizon, Goch exclaimed, “I have plans of writing several books – I have a lot to share!”
Scoop up Goch’s newly-revised cookbook and catch her live in action as she hosts a cooking demo on Oct. 20 from noon to 2 pm at Bloomingdale’s Culinary Kitchen of King of Prussia Mall (Rt. 202 N., 660 W. DeKalb Pike). More information can be found at www.GochYaCooking.com or Facebook.com/GochYaCooking.
