Sandy Pike has been feeding the city of Louisville for more than fifty years as owner and founder of local favorites such as Jack Fry’s, Cafe Society, and Queen of Tarts. Since 2004, Sandy and her daughter Mae have owned Home Cuisine, a healthy meal delivery service that has filled the bellies of local residents with more than one million meals to date. With such a culinary history, one might expect this chef to select a cooking-related tool as the item that brings her the most joy. Not so. Sandy’s response was immediate and heartfelt, “I love my rescue dog, Sofia.”
After losing a much-loved pet, Sandy told herself she would never have another dog. She didn’t think she could endure that pain again. “Mae came over one day and suggested we take a trip to see the dogs at the rescue. I told her I didn’t want a dog but would just go with her to look at them,” Sandy says. “There were so many dogs, all of them barking and jumping; I knew none of those were for me.” However, right in the midst of all the chaos was a little black dog that had been surrendered by a young couple after the birth of their child. If Mae had an ulterior motive in bringing her mom to the rescue that day, it paid off. “I felt like Sofia was waiting for me to walk through the door,” Sandy says.
“I was raised with dogs and we’ve always had them around, but she’s honestly the sweetest of them all,” Sandy says. “She’s my companion; we comfort and protect each other. If someone comes to pet her, she glances at me to see if it’s okay. It’s adorable.” Sofia follows Sandy all through the house, spending much of their time together in the kitchen. Sofia reaps the benefits of some of Sandy’s best culinary treats such as chicken, salmon, and vegetables. “I treat her like a child, I guess, wanting to give her my best because she means so much to me.”
“Mae jokes that she’s jealous of how I spoil Sofia, but I say I don’t spoil her,” Sandy says. “I guess we are growing older together. She brings me happiness and comfort, and I hope I do the same for her,” Sandy says.
A side note: As a well-known and loved local chef, we couldn’t get away without asking Sandy what her favorite kitchen tool is: a Staub Dutch oven, specifically the 13.25-quart size. “This indestructible piece has been my staple for years. It’s perfect for soups, winter stews, braising, and last minute seafood pasta with my girls and their families. It goes from the stovetop to the oven with ease, even if I ask my grandson to help pick it up when it’s full. Years of family holiday bouillabaisse have been cooked in my Staub, and it has great sentimental value to all of us. I even gave one to my teenage granddaughter for Christmas one year, knowing she will never have to replace it.”
By Megan S. Willman
P.S. Check out this recipe, which can be created in a large pot like Sandy’s Dutch oven.
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