MEET THE CHEF OF ARMENIAN DELIGHT

Marple Newton Parch

Feb 11 2011

Armenian Delight2591 W Chester Pike, Broomall,

This week we found out more about the chef-owner of Armenian Delight,
Asdghig Kazanjian.

BROOMALL-This week we sat down with the delightful Asdghig Kazanjian
of Armenian Delight in Broomall and asked her a series of quick-fire
questions. Read below for her hilarious answers and to find out how
this “spoiled, lazy,” Israel-born Armenian woman went on to become
a talented chef and business owner.

Age: Too old…

Earliest Cooking Memory: I was one of the laziest girls growing
up-spoiled, everyone catered to me. I wouldn’t even get my own glass
of water. Everyone warned my soon-to-be-husband. But the minute I got
married (I was 19) I was entertaining guests at our home. I enjoyed
it. It must be natural. I don’t remember learning how to cook but
I guess I was watching my mom and learning. My mother cooked but I
never ate. I only ate cucumbers, fruit, tomatoes, cheese and banana
sandwiches. The simplest dish in Armenian cooking is pilaf. I never
tried it until I got married.

First Job in Industry: Opening Armenian Delight 33 years ago. My
original partner Helen suggested we open a business together after she
saw me cooking all the time. At the time, there wasn’t a store like
ours [specializing in Armenian and Middle Eastern foods]. So we rented
this space. Three years later, Helen didn’t want to be a part of the
business anymore so she left and I’ve been running it alone ever since.

Biggest Kitchen Disaster: We had a big order for baklava, in the
walnut mixture there is a lot of cinnamon and sugar. I accidentally
put in salt [instead of sugar]. The people came back and told me what
happened. I was so upset [at myself] and it never happened again.

Mistakes happen. Mistakes are allowed…repeated mistakes are bad. You
must learn from your mistakes.

Favorite Thing to Cook: Creating a new recipe. We make everything
here. I enjoy everything.

Advice to Home Cooks: Get your information from a good source. Don’t
go to TV chefs to learn about Armenian food, ask me. They don’t know
what they are talking about. Enjoy cooking.

Favorite Local Restaurant: Ale House in Newtown Square

Favorite Restaurant in the World: Beirut, Lebanon, has the best
restaurants in the world.

Guilty Pleasure: Cigarettes

Last Meal on Earth: Red wine and cigarettes while wearing a St. John
dress.

From: A. Papazian