Winsor Alumnae Come Together for “Holiday Hacks”

Tuesday, November 15, 2022—The Winsor Alumnae Association got a head start on the holidays this year, bringing more than 30 Winsor alumnae together for a special event, Holiday Hacks: An evening of entertaining insights. The alums, spanning generations, gathered in the Winsor Dining Room for insider tips on everything from Thanksgiving beer pairings to assembling the perfect cheese board. Alumnae Board President Erica Mayer ’91, P ’25 set the stage for the evening lineup of tips and tastings.  

Winsor’s Culinary Director Heather Pierce offered her insider knowledge on how to craft the perfect holiday cheeseboard. When putting one together, she recommends using a smaller board than you think you need, and positioning boards and bowls at different heights to create more visual interest. She also recommends using colorful and seasonal fruit; persimmons and gooseberries look great and can be a conversation starter. She also demonstrated how to make “ugly cuts” to bring out the textures and flavors of the cheese. No cheese cubes here!

Patrick Paulick and Julie Rockett ’92 led a beer tasting that focused on the array of possible beer pairings for each course of Thanksgiving dinner. The grapefruit beer from Schofferhofer was a crowd favorite, ideal for cocktail hour. Additionally, they recommended a big bottled Belgian farmhouse ale from Vielle Provisions for the main course.

Next up, dessert! Rachel Sundet ’99, partner and pastry chef at Big Dipper Hospitality Group, led a cookie demo, creating delicious rugelach. Did you know you can fill them with sweet or savory fillings? She showed how to roll the dough in sugar to create that beautiful sweet, glistening exterior. They are also perfect for making ahead because they freeze easily and can be popped in the oven for an easy homemade dessert anytime! Rachel was kind enough to share her recipe cards with those who attended, but anyone can always visit Mamaleh's Delicatessen for some of Rachel’s perfect pastries anytime. Rachel’s other restaurants include State Park and Vincent's. In fact, in 2015, Rachel was named a StarChefs Rising Star Pastry Chef and Boston Magazine’s Best Pastry Chef.

In addition to learning some new “hacks,” the alumnae attendees wrote little notes of encouragement and advice to Winsor seniors in their final year, many of whom just submitted college applications and are anxiously waiting to hear back. 

We extend our sincerest gratitude to all of our guests for bringing our alums together for this special event—just in time for the holidays!