Motivation is hard in the middle of a pandemic. When we asked our students what motivated them, there was a unanimous agreement that food is a great motivator. Also, during the pandemic, all our families have been cooking more. Thus the Circus Harmony Interactive Cookbook was born. Then we started asking, what dish pairs best with contortion, with juggling, or with trapeze? Can a taco ride a unicycle? Who will play the shrimp in the shrimp stir fry recipe? (Can you tell from the photo?)
We’ve never seen anything like this before: a digital cookbook where each delicious dish is paired with a delightful circus act performed by one of our gravity-defying students, staff, or animal companions. We decided to debut the cookbook on March 16, the one year anniversary of the St. Louis CoVid-19 Shut Down.
There are 43 perfectly plated pairings of acts and recipes to amaze and amuse you! We might have bit off more than was easy to chew but I think you will agree it is a worthwhile feast! I cannot thank our Circus Harmony families and staff enough. This cookbook and the embedded videos would not have been possible without the tireless and creative work of our coach and complete creative, Laura Lippert, who basically did ALL the editing of the videos and layout of the recipes, as well as being a contributor. Her creativity and attention to detail is what makes this cookbook sizzle! Our music director, Jeffrey Carter, who is also a gourmet chef, outdid himself. Just as it has been the whole pandemic, Leah and the rest of the Bailey family were key ingredients!
You can go through the Circus Harmony Interactive Cookbook page by page to just enjoy the text and acts. Or you can turn to it for a specific ravishing recipe for your ravenous relations. What we really hope is that you will spread this culinary creativity to everyone you know who eats food and/or enjoys circus! Access to the book is FREE but you are more than welcome to support defying gravity and other limitations by donating HERE or by clicking on the red DONATE link at the top of each page. Please pass this around to everyone you know, just like you would pass your favorite dish!
Bon Appetit!
Jessica Hentoff
Executive Chef at Circus Harmony