Challah and other baked goods are baked fresh at The Challah Factory in the East Valley JCC’s kosher kitchen.

Chef Melinda creates delicious baked goods each week, including challah, challah twists, Monkey Bread (pull-apart cinnamon bread), chocolate chip cookies and carrot cake. She also bakes special holiday and seasonal treats throughout the year.

All orders must be placed online by 5 p.m. Monday for that Friday’s order. Orders are available for curbside pick-up on Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 480-897-0588 when you arrive and a staff member will bring it to your car. 

 The EVJCC kitchen is under the kosher supervision of Rabbi Michael Beyo.

Order your hamantaschen by Feb. 17

Choose from three delicious flavors: Apricot, Chocolate, Raspberry

Pick one flavor when you order a half dozen ($8) and two flavors when you order a dozen ($15). 

This year, the joyous holiday of Purim starts the evening of Thursday, Feb. 25. Order your hamantaschen by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17. They will be available for curbside pick-up 12-2 p.m. on Feb. 24 and 25. 

Chef Melinda McNeil shares some of her popular recipes on the East Valley JCC’s Food page.  See recipes here. 

About Chef Melinda

Chef Melinda McNeil honed her skills as a chef and baker at the Scottsdale Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School and has worked at the Phoenician Resort, Simply Bread bakery and the Olive & Ivy restaurant. She has baked challah and other baked goods at the East Valley JCC’s Challah Factory since fall 2016.

She also teaches two virtual cooking demonstrations at the EVJCC, In the Kitchen with Chef Melinda and Little Chefs.