Mix a three decade old bakery, over two decades of culinary and hospitality experience, a baker’s dozen of accolades, and a dash of environmental stewardship and these ingredients yield Chestnut Hill’s own The Night Kitchen.
While you won’t find your standard cakes like yellow cake with white frosting or pound cake at The Night Kitchen, you will find old world-inspired recipes like chocolate mousse cake or lemon curd cake made from the freshest ingredients and artisan methods.
In addition to their stocked cases of every day tarts, muffins, flaky scones, pies, melt-in-your-mouth brownies, cookies and cakes, The Night Kitchen can create a cake for any occasion – full sheet cakes, gorgeous wedding cakes, a graduation cap, or a child’s Angry Birds birthday cake. Their work-of-art cakes have appeared at Mayor Nutter’s inauguration party, Philadelphia’s Sustainable Business Network’s “Sustainaball,” the Knot Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine, and TLC’s “Fabulous Cakes.”
A little over a year ago, The Night Bakery expanded their space with a sustainably-minded contractor who used reclaimed materials and added a cafe menu to their growing list of goods. While the bakers churn out their goods in the original bake room; customers can do their work over a light, flaky raspberry scone and cup of from La Colombe, meet friends for a savory duck salad, sandwiches, soups or pizza, or grab an after-dinner sweet in their cafe area.
Whether they are destined for a wedding cake or cafe sandwich, The Night Kitchen sources the best ingredients possible, many of which are sourced locally through the Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative. Herbs, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other veggies for their pizzas and pasta salads come straight from their organic backyard garden.
Twelve years ago, Owner and Culinary Institute of America graduate, Chef Amy Beth Edelman, bought the bakery and has worked to make it greener every year. “In terms of sustainability, we’ve been taking steps over the past few years to be certified by the Green Restaurant Association. We earned that certification three years ago and every year we add to what we do,” said Edelman.
She developed a full scale recycling program at The Night Kitchen, which goes beyond just sorting cans and bottles. They recycle paper towels, napkins, and menu paper and have eliminated plastic bags and styrofoam. Every month, Philly Compost picks up 90 percent
(between 800-900 pounds) of their food scraps.
As a Chestnut Hill Business Association board member, Amy wanted to raise awareness among fellow business owners of the importance of green business practices. She co-founded and currently serves as the GReen IN Chestnut Hill (GRINCH) president, which has shifted from a business-focused group to a civic-minded neighborhood group that strives to educate the community about green practices.
Aside from supporting many local organizations and non-profits, The Night Kitchen belongs to many eco-friendly organizations: Les Dames d’Escoffier, National Resources Defense Council, Green Restaurant Association, International Cake Exploration Societe, Sustainable Business Network, and Slow Food International.
The Night Kitchen is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are located at 7725 Germantown Avenue and orders can be placed by calling 215-248-9235.
