The storyline of how we at Zingerman’s connected with The Christmas Cookie Club isn’t quite as romantic as that of the book, but it’s certainly a nice one and one that seems fully in synch with everything Ann Pearlman’s written about. It starts back in the summer of 2003, when we were getting ready to open the Roadhouse. Melina Hinton was one of the first servers we hired. Over the years Melina became an ever more important part of our team, and the breadth of our connection grew wider; her sister Elizabeth came to work with us for a while, we got to know Melina’s daughters and watched them grow up. And then at some point a year or two in, we got to meet her mother, Ann. Which is why, although most people know Ann Pearlman as the famous author of The Christmas Cookie Club, I know her first and foremost as “Melina’s Mother.”

Regardless of entrée, the main thing is that the connection with Ann turned out to be a great one. We share values around creativity and caring for the community, as well as a passion for good writing, and in this case, good cookies. Given the national stage on which The Christmas Cookie Club is “showing” this fall—network talk shows, big time films, blogs and magazines galore—I’m sure Ann and her literary manager could have handed the opportunity to make these cookies to some big time industrial bakery that would have paid a lot of money for the opportunity. But in the spirit of the Cookie Club, our long-standing relationship and Ann’s commitment to quality and local production, we’ve worked together to do a set of cookies that match the spirit of all that I’ve talked about above. I’m sure there are less costly cookies that could have been stuck into a “Christmas Cookie Club” box, but I doubt that they’d actually have had the spirit, soul and flavor of the ones that Amy, Frank and everyone from the Bakehouse has put into these. I hope you enjoy eating them as much as we’ve enjoyed working with Ann, reading, baking, testing, tasting, and talking about them.

Before I move on I should state really clearly that not only is this a good story but the actual cookies are really, really good! They’ve been winning raves from all the staff, many of whom have been diligently eating all the test bakes! Thin little ginger crisps and pecan butter balls are made from recipes out of the book, plus one of my long time favorites, the mint chocolate shortbread from the Bakehouse. That trio of taste treats is packed into a book-like box designed by our graphics crew. It’s really a great package—especially if you pair it up with a copy of Ann’s book—and would clearly make a great gift for anyone who likes to read and eat cookies which is probably a pretty high percentage of people out in the Zingerman’s universe. Stay tuned for the Wendy Finerman-produced (Forrest Gump and The Devil Wears Prada among other famous films) movie, which is likely to start filming next fall! Ann’s been pushing hard to have the filming done here in Ann Arbor so hopefully that will work out. In the mean time come on by and taste a cookie and celebrate some nice local success and the start of a sweet holiday season!

The Story Behind Really Amazing Fish at Zingerman’s Roadhouse

I cook a lot of fish, a) because I like it and b) when one starts with superior seafood, it’s simple and easy and a really great way to make a pretty special meal without spending more than a few minutes cooking. So, with that in mind, fresh fish is what I have for dinner two, three, four times a week. While my childhood fish fascination has stayed strong, I’ve expanded my…

Ari interviewed Roadhouse special guest, barbecue judge, foodie and animated speaker, Adrian Miller recently about his research on African American street vendors, and their place in our American culinary circle. Adrian will join the Roadhouse in January 2010 to host a special dinner documenting the contributions of African American street vendors around the country.

ARI In the ten years or so I’ve known you, you’ve always been pretty excited about food and history, but you seem particularly pumped up about doing this…

[ December 12, 2009; 10:00 am to 11:00 am. ]

December 12, 2009
10:00 am	to	11:00 am

FREE Event with complimentary coffee, and Christmas Cookie Club Cookies from Zingerman’s Bakehouse.

Author of The Christmas Cookie Club, Ann Pearlman (and mother of Melina, a long-time server at Zingerman’s Roadhouse) will join us to celebrate her debut novel. (Read Ari’s introduction to the partnership between Ann & the Bakehouse)

Ann will be available to answer questions about the book, and sign your very own copy. You can also bring home boxes of the delicious cookies that Zingerman’s Bakehouse created to…

Travel + Leisure recently visited a handful of college towns across the country, pointing out the unique cultures which have grown up around the universities housed there. In a visit to Ann Arbor, the Roadhouse was called the “…pride of Ann Arbor.” (Compare Ann Arbor’s collegiate atmosphere to the rest of the country, and find out what was exciting about the Roadhouse.)