{"id":71163,"date":"2025-10-10T06:52:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T06:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/71163\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T06:52:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T06:52:13","slug":"cooks-books-co-in-meridian-melds-food-and-fiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/71163\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooks & Books Co. in Meridian melds food and fiction"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cooks & Books Co. opened mid-August and has since served as a hub for the community through cooking classes and club gatherings.<\/p>\n

MERIDIAN, Idaho \u2014 This story originally appeared in the\u00a0Idaho Press<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A new hole-in-the-wall shop in Meridian<\/a> is the result of one home economics teacher\u2019s passion project that has recently come to fruition.<\/p>\n

Cooks & Books Co. is split down the middle \u2014 literally \u2014 with a wall separating the shop\u2019s bookshelves and knickknacks from the kitchen in the back. The shop opened mid-August and has since served as a hub for the community through cooking classes and club gatherings.<\/p>\n


\n \"\"<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, owner Alicia Mattera led a session for a women\u2019s hiking group, the Blister Sisters. Attendees exchanged books in a book swap before getting into the kitchen, where Mattera helped them bake pumpkin granola cookies.<\/p>\n


\n \"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as I got here (to Idaho) five years ago, I said, \u2018I want to open a business here,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Mattera has a colorful list of past ventures from her time living in Las Vegas and Portland. She previously owned a hair salon which she built from the ground up and ran for over a decade.<\/p>\n

She also worked as a doula, coaching mothers through their births. Most recently, Mattera taught home economics at Cardinal Academy, a Boise school for pregnant teens and teen mothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that a lot of people don\u2019t understand that, but that\u2019s just my norm,\u201d she said. \u201cI get bored really easily, so I like change. I like to switch things up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether it be training new hairdressers or preparing expectant moms, the one commonality Mattera can point to is her interest in teaching.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat part brings me joy, because I am a lifelong learner myself, so I love to learn, and then I like to share what I learned,\u201d Mattera said.<\/p>\n


\n \"\"<\/p>\n

In the two months since its opening, Cooks & Books has hosted a variety of classes for different demographics, from children to retirees. Classes tend to be small, with under a dozen participants.<\/p>\n

The store\u2019s selection of books are personally curated by Mattera, including cookbooks and fiction books with cooking themes.<\/p>\n


\n \"\"<\/p>\n

Mattera always knew she wanted to have a book-related business, but wasn\u2019t certain on an exact concept.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted some place to go with my friends, or even my husband, where I could do something without it involving being in a bar,\u201d Mattera said. \u201cSo that\u2019s another reason why this has been rolling around in my head for a few years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lauren Bettger, a part-time instructor at the store, met Mattera during its planning stage.<\/p>\n


\n \"\"<\/p>\n

Bettger said that there aren\u2019t many options for cooking classes in the Treasure Valley, so when she heard about the Cooks & Books concept, she was excited. Bettger said it reminded her of a store in Seattle where she used to live.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was like, \u2018Oh, I would love to own one of those places,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cBut even better, I found Alicia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bettger now teaches a cookbook class where she introduces kids to different cuisines from across the world.<\/p>\n


\n \"\"<\/p>\n

Looking around the store, its design goes against the grain of a typical moody library. Instead, the space is well lit and colorful.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe likes things kind of funky, she loves her leopard print, you know?\u201d Bettger said about Mattera. \u201cI think that\u2019s just a fun part of her personality.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they met, Bettger said she and Mattera just clicked. She believes that a large draw for classes is Mattera herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen she teaches a class, she\u2019s very hands on and she just feels like a normal person,\u201d Bettger said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t feel intimidating to be with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lessons aren\u2019t always as simple as baking cookies. Bettger said a couples class they host includes four different steaks, mashed potatoes and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Another class in the works will teach participants how to cut and cook a whole, raw chicken. Bettger said there are also plans to host a budget-cooking class for seniors<\/p>\n

Those interested in booking a cooking class or joining a book club can visit cooksandbooksco.com<\/a>. Classes range from one to two hours long and vary in price. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at 2951 E. Overland Road, Ste. 110 in Meridian.<\/p>\n

For more stories from the Idaho Press,\u00a0click here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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