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Arlene Ward

Arthur Schwartz

Carole Walter

Christina Pirello

Chuck Williams

Cinda Chavich

Diane Shaw

James McNair

Jimmy Gherardi

Judith Barrett

Kate Heyhoe

Lauren Groveman

Leslie Glover Pendleton

Linda West Eckardt and Katherine West Defoyd

Lora Brody

Lorna Sass

Miss Vickie

Osama El-Sayed

Penn Hongthong

Philipp Beyeler

Robb Walsh

Rose Levy Beranbaum

Stacey Hawkins

Tom Lacalamita

Toula Patasalis

Victoria Cooksey

Victoria Wise

My husband and I purchased Kitchen Glamor (cookshops) in 1975 and it was obvious that if we did not enhance our cooking and product knowledge we would fail. After taking a zillion cooking classes taught by renowned celebrity instructors...James Beard, Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, Nicholas Malgieri, Cordon Bleu in England and many more...it was time to spread my wings and begin sharing what I had learned.

As I began my teaching career I was blessed to have been recognized by local television, newspaper and radio. I soon became a regular authority on cooking shows. I also began teaching in our extensive cooking program offered through the year in all our store locations. (The Patsalis family now owns 4 Kitchen Glamor stores in Michigan.)

My earliest memory of pressure cooking was the delicious food my mother prepared during the 40's. Since those memories were so wonderful, it was easy to say, "yes" when manufacturers approached us with the new high tech pressure cookers that were being introduced to the American market a few years ago. As with all the fine products we stock, the pressure cookers were extensively tested in my kitchen and it was remarkable how pronounced the flavors were, and how quickly meals were completed, (saving 70% of cooking time). Since then I have found out through research that the nutrients are also retained. My husband was oooing and ahhing...and he encouraged me to compile recipes for my first cookbook. That one was self published because publishers were not yet ready for the resurgence of the pressure cooker. Three years later HP books published The Pressure Cooker Cookbook.

Currently, I am working on Low Fat and Luscious Pressure Cooking which will be available later this year. Low fat seems to be the buzz word for good health these days and I have careful layered flavors, reducing fat and offering luscious tasting dishes. Stews are my favorite recipes along with soups, appetizers, vegetarian recipes, pasta and rice (risotto) recipes...not to forget dessert recipes...all quickly prepared. The Chicken with Two Peppers and Noodles in my Pressure Cooker Cookbook is my ultimate favorite recipe.

Everyone today should have at least one pressure cooker in their kitchen. The pressure cooker has been added to our bridal registry in our cookshops...and had become a best seller in all our locations. Most people resist purchasing their first pressure cooker...however after observing a demonstration class they are convinced...definitely it is the new wave of preparing quick, delicious nutritious meals. Go for it!

Here are a few recipes from Toula's book, The Pressure Cooker Cookbook.

• Chicken with Two Peppers and Noodles
• Warm Lamb Salad with Peppers and Feta Cheese
• Spicy Chicken Corn Chowder

Kitchen Glamor store locations:

Novi Town Center
26152 Ingersol Dr.
Novi, MI

26770 Grand River
Redford, MI

Orchard Mall
6353 Orchard Lake Rd.
West Bloomfield, MI

Great Oaks Mall
1256 Walton Blvd.
Rocherster, MI