History Cambridge welcomes Lisa McManus on Wednesday for a cooking demonstration and discussion of the culinary history of Cambridge. McManus is the executive editor of reviews and the lead “gadget expert” on America’s Test Kitchen. She is also a longtime Cambridge resident, and this intimate event provides an opportunity to engage in a Q&A session and get your culinary questions answered firsthand. We’ll also briefly discuss the fascinating history of candy-making in Cambridge and other industrial moments in our city’s past while enjoying drinks and light refreshments with fellow local history enthusiasts.
In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, McManus will focus on baking and demonstrate baking gear and related tips and tricks she uses at America’s Test Kitchen to make baking more reliable and easier. The reviews team there researches and tests kitchen equipment, including items such as knives, spatulas and cookware, and ingredients including chocolate, olive oil, canned tomatoes. McManus and her team buy everything they write about and try it in practical, hands-on tests to determine which products to recommend. “We believe that with reliable kitchen gear, and ingredients that taste good and perform well in recipes, anyone can make great food with less stress and effort,” McManus said.
McManus is excited to use this opportunity to combine her love of cooking with her love of Cambridge, and to help support History Cambridge’s work of collecting and sharing the rich stories of a diverse and dynamic city.
“Food and cooking has always been extremely important to me, and somehow Cambridge always seemed to figure into it. I grew up in Rhode Island watching Julia Child on TV; she was my hero and an inspiration. Now I’m on a TV cooking show, too, and have been for 15 years,” McManus said. (“America’s Test Kitchen” even shared a producer, Geoffrey Drummond, who produced shows with Child. “I used to enjoy getting him to tell me Julia stories,” McManus said.)
“The first trip I took as soon as I got my driver’s license at 16 was to North Cambridge to eat at Joyce Chen’s restaurant. We got lost a million times, but it was worth it,” McManus said. “I never dreamed then that I’d be living in North Cambridge today.”
All proceeds from the Wednesday event go toward supporting History Cambridge’s mission of creating community through history. Space is limited to give guests an intimate experience, and registration is required. We look forward to an evening of inspiration, connection and a lively discussion of Cambridge’s rich culinary history.
About History Cambridge
History Cambridge started in 1905 as the Cambridge Historical Society. Today we have a new name and a new mission. We engage with our city to explore how the past influences the present to shape a better future. We recognize that every person in our city knows something about Cambridge’s history, and their knowledge matters. We listen to our community and we live by the ideal that history belongs to everyone. Throughout 2025, we are focusing on the history of East Cambridge. Make history with us at historycambridge.org.
History Cambridge is a nonprofit organization. Our activities rely on your financial support. If you value articles like this one, give today.
Beth Folsom is programs manager for History Cambridge.
A stronger
Please consider making a financial contribution to maintain, expand and improve Cambridge Day.
We are now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible.
Please consider a recurring contribution.