“We do more than
just raise money.
We raise support
and love for those
going through
hard times.”
Township. “Emily Friday, a Peters
Township resident, and Diana grew up
very close friends,” Zippay explains.
“They have been friends for nearly 30
years, and we were saddened to hear she
had been diagnosed with cancer at the
young age of 37. We knew instantly we
wanted to do something to show her
support and love.”
The family reached out to St. Benedict
the Abbot Parish, where Emily attended
church, and the members were instantly
supportive of the family’s efforts to help.
The fundraiser, held in December 2018,
received a tremendous outpouring of
support and love.
“Our favorite part was watching
people happily talk to Emily and offer
words of encouragement or hugs,” says
Zippay. “We do more than just raise
money. We raise support and love for
those going through hard times. It can
be extremely difficult to find the strength
some days—our family knows and
understands well, having been there many
a time. Sometimes, just seeing people
rally around gives someone the boost
they need.”
The Italian Cookie Table is without a
doubt a unique bakery. The family bakes
out of their mom’s commercial kitchen,
and they all bake together for various
events including fundraisers, weddings,
baptisms, birthday parties and much
more. “We use the days to talk about
things going on in our lives, and it’s a time
for all us to stay connected,” says Zippay.
“Even the teenage grandchildren help!
The younger ones are aware of what we do, and they love seeing
the boxes stack up and smelling all the fresh baked goods.”
Their most sought-after treats are their famous lady locks and
signature peach cookies—even having shipped orders to people
Emily Friday with her mom Mary Kraemer.
craving their desserts as far away as North Carolina. “The best
part about our recipes is that they are all handwritten in Italian
by our mother,” says Zippay. “You can’t find anything more
authentic than that! We all speak and read Italian fluently, which
makes for a noisy baking atmosphere!
“Our bakery is pivotal to the Pittsburgh culture because it
keeps the rich history of the original neighborhood cultures of
the community alive,” continues Zippay. “We are not corporate
owned or owned by someone who isn’t authentically Italian. Our
owners and our recipes are the real deal—just as you would have
seen in the early settling of the Pittsburgh neighborhoods.”
The Italian Cookie Tables hopes to find a permanent home in
Peters Township in the near future, with a walk-in bakery that
will offer their homemade cookies, hot coffees and teas. “Our
mom will be retiring very soon, and although the ownership
name will be changing, the recipes, the quality and the service
will never change!”
For more information about The Italian Cookie Table, or to
place an order, email [email protected] or call
724.208.0023. Additionally, find it on Facebook at The Italian
Cookie Table. ■
PETERS TOWNSHIP
❘
F EB R UA RY / M A R C H 2019
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