Jen Blakeslee's Story

NORTHERN HARVEST: TWENTY MICHIGAN WOMEN IN FOOD AND FARMING

https://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books.detail/northern-harvest

JENNIFER BLAKESLEE

Former ballet dancer, equestrian, world traveler, proud mother, and chef extraordinaire, Jen Blakeslee is the only one of these twenty women to have been born in Traverse City, where, together with Eric Patterson, she heads up Cook's House, a stellar restaurant, opened twelve years ago, and acclaimed for its commitment to local food, to food that is seasonal and from small farms. Jen's love of international cuisines translates these local ingredients into many complex and varied dishes.

For Jen, as for so many women in the food business, “The biggest influence came from my grandmother, who was an amazing woman . . . She grew everything all the time . . . We would spend one whole day driving to the country to get eggs from the Amish farmer.”

Cook’s House has been preparing takeout meals during this period of quarantine and has now closed to prepare for reopening within the required social distancing and other safe parameters in mid-June. Even during this pandemic, the demand for their cuisine was so high that they sold out entirely, high praise indeed.

To learn more about Jen and how her travels and career led her far away but then a scant twelve years ago back to her hometown, and to read the stories of 19 other amazing women, Northern Harvest is now available from your favorite bookstores. And when Cook’s House reopens in June, the number to call for reservations is 231-946-8700.

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