Off the Menu- Emma Hofland
Emma Hofland, pastry chef at One Eared Stag in Inman Park, parks herself in the hot-seat to answer Steak’s 8 off the menu questions.
1. If you could run a dive bar right on the beach anywhere in the world, where would it be, what would be your specialty and what’s the name?
I would have a ice cream parlor in hawaii. Ice cream cones, sundaes, milkshakes, and pies.
2. The first sign that a table is going to be a stress to deal with is what?
Usually when they ask to personalize menu items.
3. I did not eat dinner the night before, it is noon the next day, I am driving through Atlanta starving, where should my car be headed?
Whenever I’m hungrier than I’ve ever been before, I crave wings and pizza. I’m still searching for my favorite hot wings, but right now I like Graveyard’s zombie wings. Plus, you won’t have to wait a long time. And you can have a beer while you wait for them.
4. Food/Restaurant TV show that I try not to miss other than Atlanta Eats…
I like to watch Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa whenever she is on. Her recipes are classics and I love the way she talks. She’s so relaxed in her beach house kitchen waiting for Geoffrey to come home from work. I don’t enjoy watching stressful kitchen shows like “Hell’s Kitchen”.
5. The three items I have to have in my kitchen or I will be doomed? (you pick home or restaurant or both).
A stand mixer, an oven that is at an accurate temperature, and a scale to weigh out ingredients.
6. The best bite I ever ate..
Pierre Herme’s chocolate passion fruit macaron from his shop in Paris. Maybe being in Paris had something to do with why it was the best bite ever, but everything balanced so well, it wasn’t too sweet.
8. Who is Atlanta’s daredevil chef/owner?
Chef Robert Phalen. And not just because I work for him. He really does dare to try things with his entrees that you can’t find anywhere else in Atlanta. It’s unique and daring, but mostly it just tastes better than anything else I’ve tried.
