Day 1: Saturday 17 May 2008, the Opening






Baking preparations for Conzept Kiosk Brooklyn's opening day were underway Friday, the evening before the kiosk was set to debut. Chocolate chip cookie batter was prepared in two large double batches to be cooked the next morning. All as planned, all appeared to be moving along smoothly. Until. Baking tests were done with the freshly made batter to be sure that it would yield good results. Although it was prepared exactly according to the previously developed recipe, the cookies proved to be flat and rather greasy. Far from the near perfect test cookies pulled from the oven just days before, they were practically inedible and very ugly. Batter was allowed to chill over night with the addition of more flour, in hopes of a morning miracle.
No miracle was in store for conzept kiosk, however. New ingredients had to be purchased and batter was made, this time in smaller batches (and with more desperation). Results were lovely in appearance and taste would later be vouched for by kiosk patrons.
The best cookies were chosen to put out on the kiosk at 1pm, along with a jar with a $ sign to collect the requested price of 25 cents per cookie. Approximately 12 flatter, crisper ones were left behind to be used in case of emergency. The kiosk was placed just outside the door to the gallery on the sidewalk, but it was quickly revealed that droppings from birds perched on the building ledge above could potentially fall on the kiosk in that position. It was moved further outwards on the sidewalk.
Baking onsite in gallery space began promptly at 1pm. Cookies were eagerly taken right away by patrons, who were, for the most part, invited guests, but also various neighbors and passerbys. Milk and soymilk was also served to compliment the chocolate chip cookies. The batter was very carefully and slowly prepared. The small toaster ovens yielded rather nice (though somewhat flat), gooey treats. Each was taken individually by spatula from toaster oven tray to kiosk so that patrons could enjoy them warm if they so chose.
By 2:30 pm, stock was low and was replenished with the flat "rejects" from the apartment, almost all of which were also eaten. By 3pm, baking was complete, birds had started to swoop towards the crumbs, only 2 cookies remained on kiosk, and the $ jar was full. The time had come to pack all away.
All baking supplies and tables were removed from the gallery interior space, so that only the collage, flooring, and kiosk structure remained within and visible from the street.
An estimated 60 cookies were purchased, total earned, $35.68. 

Very successful opening day for conzept kiosk brooklyn. But the true test is yet to come.

Conzept kiosk sincerely thanks all those who helped make the opening performance successful, from spreading the word, to baking and setup assistance, to photography, and of course, eating.
*more photos to come!


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