What they say about me

About
virtual-classes

Student reviews:

October 2021

I always learn so much in Paula’s classes. She is patient, explains each step and gives us great advice in baking and cooking. I take a class every chance I get. Paula is the best.

August 2021

Class is so organized and Paula has so many tips and ideas for making each recipe unique and delicious. Until taking this class, I would not have been brave enough to make babka and pot roast in the same day, yet alone the same time!

August 2021

I cook and bake with Paula every chance I get. Her classes have made me more comfortable with yeast baking. They’re also so much fun and lively and she makes you the student feel so empowered. I wouldn’t take classes with others because they make me feel stupid.

August 2021

As usual, Paula is thorough in her instructions. You can ask her any question about what she’s baking, she’s that patient. I would gladly take more classes with her, knowing I’ll be informed, and have a final delicious creation.

July 2021

Wonderful class. I enjoyed the broad range of ages of the participants. Paula took questions throughout the class. There was a lot of information and it was easy to see demonstrations – even on an iPhone Screen. The ingredient list was comprehensive and distributed with enough time to get what you needed. I definitely recommend this class.

May 2021

Best cooking class ever! Paula explained each step along the way and made it seem easy to make a full Israeli dinner in less than 2 hours. My family could not have been happier!

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Organization Reviews

“We really gained a wealth of information last night from our guest author, Paula Shoyer. From brisket to biscotti, we were the beneficiaries of her recipes and cooking strategies. She was generous with the time that she shared with 23 of us (she came on early so we could chat with her and each other and stayed for our hour long meeting).  Paula’s energy and enthusiasm in conversation with us reflected her genuine interest in how we used her cookbooks, website, and / or video lessons.”
” I’ve received so many emails praising your informative and personable conversation with us last night.  We truly are appreciative of your cooking strategies, ingredients, and recipes which point us to a more healthful lifestyle.  And your stories surrounding the various recipes and ideas were cherished too.  Truly we have such an appreciation for your work.”
Books for Cooks book club,  Fairfax, Virginia, May, 2023
“Thank you Paula so much for a fantastic event yesterday. Our students absolutely loved making the Hamantaschens.”
Maryland Hillel, February 2023
“Paula was an excellent cooking teacher. She was detailed, explained everything thoroughly and her stories were excellent. The desserts look excellent and I will for sure try them soon.”“great presentation , speaker was clear and explained everything.”“Paula has a really nice personality and was organized and obviously experienced enough to tell stories”“thanks for such a great demonstration on healthy desserts! I plan to make some of these!
-Sharsheret, November 2021
Thank you thank you!! Such an incredible program, the women had such a fun time!!
– Chabad of West Boca, November 2021
Just a quick thank you for a very enjoyable cooking experience!!!!! Loved your tips, your stories, your recipes!!! You were terrific!!
– Anshei Chesed Congregation, Boynton Beach, FL May 2021
Paula, thank you so much for such a wonderful evening! I’m sure everyone on the zoom tonight enjoyed it as much as we did. You are a true professional and I hope we get to host you in Boston in the near future!
– AMIT Chicago, May 2021
“This has really been marvelous.  Lots of Jewish content and culture and fascinating skilled easy cooking guidance.  Great event!  yasher Koach to limmud Boston.  Hodesh tov and have a great Pesach. Stay well. see you at limmud Boston next fall!”
“Yasher koach on this fabulous Paula Shoyer session.”
“Best Limmud session ever.”
-Limmud Boston, March 2021
People LOVED YOU!  Amazing event.  Just so personal and intimate…..it was like having a conversation in your kitchen with you.
– Congregation Beth Israel, Scotch Plains, NJ March 2021
Thank you so much for such a terrific cooking experience today. The recipes were delicious! You are so personable, professional and talented. Your enthusiasm for cooking and baking is truly inspiring! We appreciated the cooking tips and especially the ease with which we could ask questions.
Today was a perfect 10.
–Private virtual brunch class, February 2021

Still aglow from the great food and company last night. TOO MUCH FUN. Thanks Paula for all your hard work to make the dinner so delicious.

-Participant in a virtual Moroccan Feast private cooking class, January 2021

*On behalf of the Wednesday night families, thank you again for a wonderful semester of great food! Amalia is more skilled and confident in the kitchen and, importantly, enjoys cooking healthy and delicious food. And all the families appreciate one night off from cooking!

*I just wanted to thank you SO much for your amazing cooking class.  Zev has learned SO much and absolutely loves cooking with you and his dinners have been absolutely delicious!

*Josie had the most wonderful experience at her first cooking class with you! She learned so so much and made such an amazing dinner for all of us! We are just so grateful that you are doing this!!!*

*Tonight I was just too tired to cook, so I asked the kids to make the broccoli quiche you taught them in a previous cooking series, which they were excited to do!  They put it together quickly, and as Len said to them, it was the lightest, best quiche he ever had.  So no wonder they could slot in so quickly today in class — they are getting so proficient in cooking and baking, thanks to you!

Parents of teens who did my virtual after-school dinner prep program, Fall 2020
We are so incredibly grateful for helping us to create such a powerful evening. We have received such great feedback including people who want more baking!!!!  I was even surprised by how even the expert challah bakers really felt they learned a lot and 90% of  people who signed on to the zoom were with us until the end. Really shows how much people enjoyed and were taking it all in. Thank you so much and certainly will look to you soon for future events!!
-Met Council, New York area, November 2o20

Thank you so much for facilitating this past Sunday’s Chanukah Jpop-Ups. We really appreciate all the time and energy you put into leading the class and answering participants’ questions. Everyone looked like they were having a great time.

-Ohr Kodesh Congregation, Chevy Chase, MD

*If nothing else, I can look back on the summer of 2020 as the summer my kids became bakers and chefs.  All a credit to you!

 I can’t thank you enough for such an amazing week! The girls have loved every day of class. Dinners have been divine and I have been able to do other things instead of cooking. Thank you!!

*Before cooking camp, Rochelle occasionally boiled pasta or baked chocolate chip cookies.  But now she can whip up a delicious veggie quiche like it’s nothing during a 15 minute break between classes, or make a hearty soup on a Sunday that lasts us all week long. Best summer camp investment ever.

*I wanted to send you a quick note thanking you for a wonderful few days of baking! Your class has helped her continue to develop her confidence in the kitchen.

*Thanks so much! Your classes were the highlight of their summer!

-Parents of teens who did my virtual summer camp

Our Los Angeles Temple Beth Am Sisterhood had an amazing night making Chocolate Babka and Rugelach with Paula. Everyone enjoyed it and learned so much! I’ll be making the Chocolate Babka the next time our Sisterhood Book Group meets!

-Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, October 2018
Paula not only made me think about the role food plays in our body, but also in our spirit and in society.  Her talk at our book festival was a dash of recipe tips, a pinch of cultural anthropology, and a smidgen of psychology, which all came together to make a very satisfying and savory experience!
– Avi Dresner, Co-Chair, the Berkshires’ Jewish Festival of Books, Hevreh of Southern Berkshire,Great Barrington, MA

While we long for the family comfort and holiday foods, we there is a need to lighten them up. Paula talked about doing just that. The best part was realizing that recipes can be changed without sacrificing taste and memories. A great blueprint is her new cookbook, The Healthy Jewish Kitchen. Paula has visited our Sisterhood each time her new cookbooks have been published. We look forward to a visit next year when we do a workshop with her.

 – Congregation Beth Shalom Sisterhood Culminating dinner, Northbrook, IL

Thank you so much for a fantastic demo this morning- even with some technical difficulties! Everyone really enjoyed learning about the recipes  as well as tips and tricks for cutting fruits and veggies. We’re excited to make these recipes in our homes!

 – AACI – Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel  – Jerusalem, Israel 

On behalf of Hazon and the entire 2018 Michigan Jewish Food Festival team I would like to thank you for your enthusiasm and participation at Sunday’s festival.  Not only did the whole day go smoothly, but the collaborative effort of the chefs, a rabbinic council, and two assistants creating a delicious culinary experience for our attendees was flawless.  Personally, this year’s planning and orchestration of the event was much easier for me because of your willingness to communicate and cooperate at every level, and I appreciate the time you took to speak with me as often as needed so the day could unfold as well as it did. It was a privilege and a pleasure to be a part of this year’s chef demo kitchen, and I offer my heartfelt gratitude for your presence at our 2018 Michigan Jewish Food Festival.

-Michigan Jewish Food Festival/Hazon

I totally thought that the baking demo would be a fun thing to do. But people’s feedback blew me away: they were so enthusiastic about it and said how interesting and enjoyable it was.

– Baking Demo – Alon Shvut, Israel 

Working with Paula for our cooking demo was fabulous–she was dynamic, engaging, and flexible. What a gift to our congregation to host such a talented, warm, and knowledgeable author and chef. Beth Sholom, Potomac MD What a wonderful event! Our patrons were so excited to meet Paula and learn from her and we had such great feedback after the event.

 – The JCC – Dallas, TX

So much great information and yummy treats! Hope to work with Paula again.

 – The 92nd St. Y – New York, NY

On behalf of the Book Festival team and MJCCA leadership, thank you again for teaching our two Passover cooking classes last weekend. We have gotten only wonderful feedback from the guests who attended – with many indicating that they would love to attend similar programs in the near future. We can’t thank you enough for lending us your time and talents! We hope you enjoyed yourself while in Atlanta and look forward to seeing you for your next cookbook release!

–MJCCA, Atlanta, GA

Paula’s presentation was received so well her warmth and friendly demeanor made the evening a terrific event!

 – The JCC – Dayton, OH

Thank you for a FANTASTIC presentation today and for your generosity! The Challah Bake was so enjoyable and you are just amazingly talented, humorous and professional! I know everyone had a wonderful time and learned a lot (I know I did)!

 – Challah Workshop, Washington, D.C.

Once again, thanks for a great job. I will definitely pass your name around. We look forward to using you again in the future.

 – Yehudis Newman, Chabad of Alexandia, Virginia

Thanks very much for the baking lessons. You’re a great teacher, and have a way of making it look so effortless. Everyone really enjoyed it, and the results of our collective efforts were delicious!!

 – Sidley Austin Summer Associates

Thank you so much, Paula — what a wonderful way to spend an evening! My kids were awed by how good the cookies were — “you made those???” — and I have to say, I was surprised to find that though I am a chocolate lover to the core, the biscotti and tuilles are my favorite – I love chewy. It was so easy, so delicious, complete with great company. I can’t wait to come again!

– Student – Elegant Cookies