This weekend my friend Gayle and I headed to Hartford CT to the XL Center for the Hartford Home Show. Real Housewife of New Jersey, Kathy Wakile, was going to be there, giving a live demonstration on the fine art of cannoli making.Kathy was super sweet and entertained us with some behind the scenes stories of the Real Housewives franchise. She started by introducing herself as a REAL "real housewife", who enjoys cooking and baking and raising her family. If you're familiar with the show and Kathy's story line, then you know that Kathy is ALL about family, and is a super-mom to daughter Victoria and son Joseph. She's also a super-patient-wife to wise cracking husband Richie.
She explained her background is actually in hairdressing, but she always enjoyed cooking and baking. You can tell that her love for cooking is part of her strong Italian heritage, and being in the kitchen and preparing family favorites for those she loves, is what she's all about!
Kathy explained that she always preferred preparing smaller sweet treats, like cannolis and cookies. Being on the show offered her the opportunity and exposure to launch her love of preparing desserts into a full-time culinary entrepreneurship, with her own line of cannoli kits and a soon to be released cookbook.
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| Kathy demonstrates her cannoli kit |
She also shared some great tips on decorating cannolis, using pearled sugar to dip the open ends of the cannoli in, and suggested white pearled sugar drops for weddings and formal events, pink and blues for baby showers, and of course, the traditional chocolate sprinkles for anytime. Kathy is the consummate hostess, and enjoys entertaining and preparing beautiful foods for those she cares about. Her plating and presentation skills are phenomenal.
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| Kathy Wakile's Cannolis |
Some other decorating tips were to drizzle chocolate sauce in a zig zag manner over the finished plate, and to sprinkle confectionery sugar over the plate for a 'snow' effect.
Kathy invited members of the audience up to try their hand at piping the ricotta mixture from a pastry bag into her cannoli shells. Her filling consists of ricotta with confectionery sugar, vanilla, and she sometimes adds miniature chocolate chips, as well.
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| Kathy shares hints and treats with Hartford Home Show attendees |
My niece, Charlene, another RHONJ fan was also there, and joined the fun on stage by piping her own cannoli with Kathy, and decorating it with pink and blue. Charlene is expecting twins, and while one is definitely a boy...we're still waiting for the big reveal of his brother/sister. Hmmmm. Could the pink be a hint??? Guess we'll have to wait and see!!
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| Charlene decorates her own cannoli with Kathy Wakile |
After the demo, Kathy chatted with her fans, and signed autographs. Here's Charlene and her sister-in-law Kelly with Kathy.
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| Charlene, Kelly, and Kathy |
Kathy's book, Indulge, is set to be published and released in September 2014. You can pre-order an advance copy HERE. The book promises to be a cookbook full of "Delicious Little Desserts that Keep Life Real Sweet (from St. Martin's Press) and features great recipes for the whole family."
Her cannoli kits, launched under the name Dolci della Dea (Goddess Sweets) are available on her website HERE.
I also enjoyed chatting with Kathy's husband Richie, whose love and pride for his wife is apparent. A lovely in love couple!
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| Meeting the Wakiles |
And what's the best part about a cannoli demonstration? Why eating them afterwards, of course! Here Charlene's brother-in-law tries some of Kathy's samples!
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| The best part of cannoli making? --- The cannoli tasting! |
Kathy often tours the country at home shows and culinary events. Her appearance dates are available on her website http://kathywakile.com/. Take a look and see if she's coming to a city near you!
Prior to Kathy's demo we did a quick round of the XL Center Exhibition Hall for the Hartford Home Show. Here's a sample of some of the vendors that were there.
We had a great time meeting the Wakiles at the Hartford Home Show!
Try the cannoli kit and look for Kathy's book in September 2014!
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