Birmingham Bake and Cook finds new home

Susan Green’s excitement is contagious as she twirls around her cookware store touching measuring cups and bowls. It’s clear she has found her passion in helping people stock their kitchens with unique yet practical items.

“I just love everything we sell here,” Green said opening up a shipment of products that had just arrived. “It’s always a thrill to see what’s going to come in the mail next.”

For many years, Birmingham Bake and Cook was located on Valleydale Road. In August, the cookware store opened in their new location in Heights Village, and Green appears completely at home in the new space.

“It’s great to be a part of a group of independent retailers who have the same philosophy and vision,” she said.

Green attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York and worked for more than two decades with a national restaurant-opening business based in San Francisco. The transition to retail felt natural to her. The store sells everything the modern cook could need including aprons, measuring cups, jams, cookie cutters, pots, pans, knives and different gadgets.

“Everything in here we’ve handpicked ourselves,” said Green. “We have morphed a little over the years but are still firmly rooted in kitchen essentials. We’ve expanded what we offer to be more fun yet functional.”

With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching, Green shares kitchen essentials for the holidays.

Carving sets. “You always need big, sharp knives,” Green said. “We are literally obsessed with knives. Knives and pies.” The store offers a variety of blades and also offers knife sharpening. 

Baking supplies. “The holidays are a time of intense baking,” she said. “It’s the time to get out that super secret special recipe.” To do that, one needs the proper tools. Birmingham Bake and Cook has all the basics including disposable bakeware, cookie cutters, twine, whisks, basters, graters and thermometers.

Gift items. “It’s great to have that perfect hostess gift that’s centered around home,” Green said suggesting fun items such as nutcrackers or anything with a vanilla scent.

At Birmingham Bake and Cook, a recipe comes with every purchase. On the first day of fall, Green was thrilled to switch the recipe card over to roast chicken. The store also sends out weekly email newsletters and has an active Facebook page.

“It’s all about the customers and the community we are creating,” she said. “We enjoy forming relationships with these people.” 

The store is also planning a variety of special holiday events. Two to look forward to are the Holiday Cookie Swap and the Holiday Open House. The cookie swap will be on Nov. 10. Green said everyone brings four-dozen cookies and swaps recipes.

“It’s truly a fun, relaxing evening and everyone gets to bring home something,” she said.

The Holiday Open House will be held the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and Green said the store will have plenty of goodies and specials for guests. The store will also have Black Friday specials the day before.

Green hopes to continue to give back to the city she loves with her passion for all things cookware.

“The response we’ve had from Birmingham has been overwhelming and also quite humbling,” she said.