By Sharon Goodman

   LaPorte’s “best kept secret” seems to have gotten around because it doesn’t appear to be a secret anymore! What used to be a quiet little spot to sip coffee is now a bustling and busy hub of activity right in the middle of beautiful Courthouse Square.

   Multi-talented owner Yvonne Curley has hit the jackpot by parlaying her enthusiasm for cooking with a tireless schedule of baking, teaching classes, catering, and most recently, professional sushi chef. And did I mention she’s also a personal trainer? That’s personal training, Yvonne style. For just $20 an hour she’ll come to your home and teach you, one-on-one, to cook your favorite dishes. What a great gift for a new bride!

   Drive down Lincolnway many evenings and you’ll see the glow of lights coming from The Cookery TT (”TT” stands for “tried and true”) as classes gather to learn about regional and ethnic cooking, new ideas for healthy foods, picnic fare, and menus for the various holidays. Kids’ classes are also a popular offering and a great birthday party idea.

  Adding to the busy traffic pattern in this cozy shop are the people who dart in on their way to work, not only to get a cup of our local Maple City coffee and a sweet treat or bagel, but to leave their crock pot for Yvonne to fill. Pick it up after work and dinner is ready, complete with a house salad, dinner rolls and a yummy fruit pie for dessert. What could be easier and more delicious than that? And one last thought before you go out the door: If you plan to work through lunch hour (or even if you don’t), Yvonne has her mouth-watering box lunches available for you to take to the office.  

  Yvonne’s oven, like a city, never sleeps! This week she’s busy creating magical little Easter houses that tempt anyone who sees them to swipe a finger across the fluffy, buttery frosting. Colorful jelly beans, gummy fairy tale characters, and cookies add to the fantasy. Even on the Fourth of July you’ll find picnic tables in front of The Cookery TT and Yvonne offering red, white and blue cookies, holiday cupcakes, and her now-famous roasted turkey legs. Before and during the parade you’ll see an ever-increasing number of people munching one of the Cookery TT’s giant turkey legs as they work the crowd along Lincolnway. Each year Yvonne adds to the number of turkey legs she prepares and each year she seems to sell out before the end of the parade!

  If you haven’t experienced LaPorte’s Cookery TT, you’re in for a treat. My most recent visit was on Sushi Friday (see photos) and between the lunch patrons and a busy carry-out business, it was standing room only.

SHARON GOODMAN is a professional photographer (www.studio-g-photo.com) and owner of Kessler Lofts in LaPorte.