Bubby Cook Off Contest

🩷86 1/2 year old Bubby who inspires her family and community 🩷

Geulah is the ULTIMATE Bubby 🩷

Everyone has a story that molds them into who they are today. This is the story of one woman that had the strength and courage to endure when life threw her obstacles. That woman is our mother, Geulah, our inspiration and the glue that kept our family together.

Geulah was a teacher in her community when her husband was diagnosed with cancer in 1980. Her husband, chef David von Perlstein’s dream was to own a warm, family-style restaurant. He opened Café International, but quickly became too sick to run it. Geulah left her career to help run the family restaurant. In 1983, David lost his battle to cancer.

In spite of financial hardship, the restaurant remained open for 20 years due to Geulah’s hard work ethic and warm, giving approach. Geulah then ran another restaurant inside her jewish community center for the next 19 years and retired at the age 80 and still volunteers her cooking, in her community.

This video features her famous Challah Bread.

Geulah cooks with love that often evokes feelings of connection, to cherished memories. Challah, in particular, is a bread with deep cultural and religious significance, often associated with Shabbat and holidays.

Geulah’s food has a unique ability to bring people together, create a sense of comfort and is a testament to her dedication in making over 30,000 challahs in her lifetime.

At 86 1/2 years old, she is an inspiration to her family and community.

Challah Bread
Ingredients:

3 3/4 cups flour

1 1/3 cups warm water

1 packet highly active yeast

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup oil

2 large eggs – (use one for the egg wash)

1 tsp salt

• Optional: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning

In a large bowl stir together yeast, water and sugar. Set aside for 5 minutes.

Beat oil and 1 egg into the yeast mixture. Gradually add flour and salt and mix until the dough holds together. Flour your surface and knead dough until smooth (about 10 minutes). Lightly grease a clean bowl (you can use the one you mixed in), and place your dough in the bowl and cover with a slightly damp towel.

Let rise for 1 – 1 1/2 hours until it doubles in size. Punch down dough for Shabbat, from each half, make 3 ropes and braid into a 2 loaves. Pláce loaves on prepared baking sheet, cover with a damp towel and allow to rise for about another hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, place egg and 1 TBSP of water, lightly beat and then brush the braided loaves. At this point you can sprinkle with the optional toppings. Place in preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown.