COOK has become a bit of a sensation in Philadelphia since its opening in September. We walk by on a regular basis wondering what it's really like inside, and if the price is worth the chance to have an intimate food experience with such big names as Georges Perrier, Michael Solomonov or Sal Vetri (Marc's dad).
Lucky for us, we got to check out COOK through a complimentary invite to a private event hosted by Mavea. Mavea recruited Toronto culinary guru Massimo Bruno to host one of his infamous Italian Supper Clubs in Philly, where he cooks and shares a meal with attendees. Each of his Supper Clubs focuses on one of the 20 regions in Italy. He chose his hometown of Puglia, Italy for this night.
I’ll freely admit I was skeptical about 16-seat COOK, thinking the concept is good in theory but wouldn’t live up to the price (classes range from $65 to $165/person).
However, the opportunity to ask questions and get to know the chef is enlightening. It’s not something we would attend regularly, but if you are planning a special occasion and looking for a unique experience, it is a home run. We highly encourage you to be selective about the event you choose because the host and the topic will make a huge difference. The evening with Massimo could have easily run $100/person, which we would have been ok with paying for an anniversary dinner, birthday or some other special night out.
