A Humble Beginning, One Recipe At A Time
Ayala Donchin, Owner, Evelyn’s Kitchen
Evelyn's Kitchen (EK) started humbly, one recipe at a time, in the kitchen of owner, Ayala Donchin. With a passion for food and a love for entertaining nurtured by her supportive parents, Manny and Rina, Ayala has created amazing dishes since she was a kid. She started her first business, Ayala's Magnificent Mousse & Cheesecake, at eleven years old when her parents challenged her to raise money for sleep away camp. Even as a child, Ayala never shied away from a challenge and she is no stranger to dreaming big, working hard or taking calculated risks.
Ayala moved to New York in 1994 and served as executive director of three non-profit organizations. After her time in non-profit, Ayala headed up the community relations department for the New York Knicks. She left the Knicks in 2002 to start a successful marketing firm, The Sandbox, Inc. with business partner, Erica Stanley-Dottin, developing and executing community impact programs for athletes, celebrities and the brands that do business with them. Sandbox clients included The Magic Johnson Foundation, Alonzo Mourning Charities, The Carmelo Anthony Foundation, The Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, Justin Tuck, Boost Mobile, Gatorade and Nike.
In 2009 Ayala took a leap of faith and started EK named for her Godmother, the late Evelyn Satinoff. Ayala holds a lifetime of fond memories of Evelyn and recounts the many late nights spent in Evelyn's warm, inviting kitchen for Sunday dinners and holiday gatherings filled with good food, laughter, wine and great debates. Evelyn's kitchen was not just a physical place, there was a spirit to it and Ayala has worked tirelessly to create that same spirit in her business. A sign is hung in the kitchen that states simply Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often.
In the two and a half years since opening EK, the business has grown organically; perfecting unique, delicious recipes and making sure clients experience the quality and integrity that go into every little detail. Most people have discovered EK through grassroots efforts on Facebook and twitter and word-of-mouth from influencers in the sports, entertainment and fashion industries. EK has grown tremendously with the support of very loyal, influential friends and an amazing staff.
Evelyn’s Kitchen Toffee Blondie
The EK team works its culinary magic in its East Harlem kitchen, a space that is what many consider a hidden gem. The Kitchen is a quaint haven, where the staff hosts private dinners and small, exclusive events for an influential network of sports and entertainment insiders.
In addition, EK has developed a real community following in its East Harlem neighborhood. An eclectic group of regulars, from the former publisher of GQ to the owner of famed NY pizza institution Patsy's, to the teachers from PS 7 around the corner have become EK regulars, picking up lunch or dinner, carrot cake sandwich cookies or red velvet cupcakes a few times a week.
In the spring of 2012, EK will launch The EK Café, a retail space that will offer our uniquely delicious line of pastries, daily lunch & dinner specials, excellent coffee, our infamous Mexican Hot Chocolate and of course our signature EK Blondies, named for Ayala's Godmother. In the evening, we will offer a reservations-only private Chef's Table four-course dinner.
Evelyn's Kitchen ~ Defining Delicious
