Chef Susan Goss

Podcast: West Town Tavern cookbook authors talk Spring food.

How many times did I read each recipe before sending the cookbook to the printer? I have lost count but I can tell you I was horrified to find a mistake in, of all recipes, West Town Tavern Pie Pastry! And not just a typo-the recipe doesn’t work! Now, I gotta tell you, this is a recipe I make in my sleep so perhaps it is not so unusual that I would not catch the error-I probably just glossed over it each time. In order to make West Town Tavern Pie Pastry please make the following correction right on page 40:

WEST TOWN TAVERN PIE PASTRY
PAGE 40

CORRECTION

2 ½ cups flour

1 tablespoon sugar

2 ¼ teaspoons sea salt

6 tablespoons vegetable shortening

6 tablespoons butter

¼-1/3 cup ice water

Go ahead! Write the correct measurements right on the page! My cookbooks are all covered with notations, wine recommendations and comments. A cookbook is first and foremost a workbook-not something to be kept pristine! Now, go make yourself a batch of pastry scraps and celebrate!

“It’s a love story”, says Drew Goss of West Town Tavern: Contemporary Comfort Food. Passion, commitment, discovery and delight-they’re all in Susan Goss’s first cookbook. Susan’s love of food, Drew’s love of wine and their love for each other are found on every page. Join their food and wine journey and explore the synergy of the two. “We’re always looking for that food and wine wow!” says Drew. “We’ve had such great eating and wine drinking experiences that we wanted to share them” adds Susan.
“Although it’s our livelihood, we don’t just turn it off when we leave work” says Susan. “We make dinner most nights at home; “and usually try more than one wine to find out what’s best with the dish” Drew adds. The love story continues with family and friends who enjoy dining together and experiencing lots of different kinds of wine. The recipes in West Town Tavern: Contemporary Comfort Food are scaled for 6-8 people and provide a blueprint for having a great food and wine evening.
The Goss’ first cookbook, West Town Tavern: Contemporary Comfort Food is filled with over 100 ingredient-inspired signature recipes from Chef Susan’s 30 years of experience along with Drew’s wine notes that are accessible and at the same time surprising and far-reaching. Divided into seasonal chapters plus an extensive pantry, there are recipes for small plates, large plates, desserts and cheeses. The home cook can select one recipe or effortlessly create a three-course menu.
From the simple – Pan-Seared Sockeye Salmon Niçoise Salad – to the sophisticated – Braised Pork Belly with Pear Slaw and Crème Fraîche – Chef Susan’s recipes are detailed and easy to follow. Whether it is coaxing sweetness from a winter tomato, prepping foods ahead for easy entertaining or perfectly caramelizing a Brussels sprout, each page is packed with professional secrets and tips that will take home cooking to a higher level. Drew’s extensive wine knowledge and sophisticated palate encourages readers to “vacation” in their local wine shop and explore new, exciting varietals. His thoughtful food and wine pairings give the reasons behind the matches – not just the basics.
West Town Tavern: Contemporary Comfort Food is generously readable and filled with the Goss’ personalities. Susan “talks” to the home cook – like having a chef in the kitchen with you. Drew is no wine snob and his pure joy of drinking wine with food comes through on every page.
West Town Tavern: Contemporary Comfort Food is 208 pages long and filled with four-color photography by Pulitzer Prize winner Dan Dry. Design by Sam Silvio. Hard cover with dust jacket.