Meet the Dames Monday! PAULA SHOYER

Today we are highlighting celebrated cookbook author Dame Paula Shoyer. She's just come off a whirlwind tour of her latest creation, The New Passover Menu. We are so proud of Paula's accomplishments!  Find out who surprised her at one of her events!

... Here's our interview

The best part of being a DC Dame:
The opportunity to meet women who have accomplished so much and inspire me to keep searching for new business opportunities

My biggest career challenge to date:
I was a lawyer and then a speechwriter before I went to pastry school in Paris which changed the course of my life. I was writing dessert cookbooks and became known as "the kosher baker," and then had the chance to write a food book that has expanded the areas of food that I have become an expert in

My favorite kitchen utensil:   silicone spatulas

My thoughts on holiday traditions and the food that is prepared:
So many people like to try out new recipes all the time, but when it comes to holiday cooking and baking, I believe it is important to repeat family favorites that your friends and family will aalways associate with that holiday. Holidays are a great time to serve traditional recipes so they do not get lost and a new generation can enjoy them.

My favorite DC restaurants( when I'm not cooking that is!):
Le Diplomate, Blacks in Bethesda, Blue Star kosher tex-mex in Rockville, Bourbon Steak

The funniest thing that happened to me in my most recent book tour:
I met two older cousins that I have never met before. One came to my Les Dames event in Chicago

I give back to my community by: 
volunteering at Miriam's Kitchen, doing discounted of free events for some charities, and mentoring young kosher cooks and bakers who are starting their careers.

I just finished a spectacular book tour to promote The New Passover Menu, my first food book after two dessert cookbooks (The Kosher Baker and The Holiday Kosher Baker). The book is organized into eight menus and is an easy, modern, and healthy approach to cooking for a holiday known for heavy, leaden food and desserts. The recipes bring international and trendy recipes to the Passover table. I did 20 events in two months, both around the US and in Israel, including one at the US ambassador's residence there where I met Israeli foodies in all areas of food and journalism. I also did many radio shows and TV appearances to promote the book, all booked by Los Angeles Dames Trina Kaye. The media coverage was beyond expectations, but the best aspect of the tour was when strangers emailed me their holiday menus from the book, or sent to me photos of their recipes. I was thrilled to enhance the celebration of Passover this year.