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Hilary's Cookies

Chicago's new cookie lady, Hilary Black.

Tuesday Jan 17, 2006.     By Heather Blaha

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Hilary Black wants to challenge Mrs. Fields to a wrestling match. She believes that strongly in the power of her quirky cookies, in flavors like Hot Buttered Rum and Chocolate Caramel Coffee, to change the face of an industry that has been dominated by a Mrs. and a standard chocolate chip for so long. Baking since she was a little girl, Hilary got serious about cookies when she got serious about boyfriends, baking cookies that never failed to win them over.

Hoping to win over a more platonic crowd, Hilary kicked things off three years ago by taking special orders from individuals and companies. During a brief stint in L.A., she lived next door to Lisa Marie Presley's event planner and landed a gig whipping up treats for the celeb's Easter party. And while you probably didn't attend that bash, you may have come across Hilary's Cookies during a night out at the Briar Street Theatre or Steppenwolf Theatre or, more recently, at your local Whole Foods.

As opportunities get bigger and broader, Hilary wants to get more involved in other aspects of the business besides the baking. She does, after all, want to take over the Cookie Universe. Taking a little time away from the oven, she met with me for Tea @ 3 (okay, it was actually coffee at two) at Letizia's Natural Bakery to talk about what makes her Chicago such a sweet place to live and work.

If I were to come to your neighborhood, where would you insist I visit?
There's an upscale Puerto Rican restaurant and bar that I love called Coco, 2723 W. Division. What's really nice about it is that the whole place is non-smoking, plus the bar has an extensive list of Puerto Rican rums. It hosts great live music in a festive atmosphere and serves an amazing traditional Puerto Rican stew. I went there with my boyfriend on my birthday and the owner treated us so well, bringing us complimentary cocktails. Oh, and the flan is amazing.

Favorite place to see live music?
I'd have to say Martyrs' because it's such a big, nice space. There's usually a place to sit, and they have a great sound system. I love the Big C Jamboree, which Martyrs' hosts monthly with different bands.

Most creative gift you've given?
I like giving places or trips to people as gifts. I always tell my boyfriend, Ian, that when I am rich I'll buy him a yacht. Once I planted that idea, though, he started getting really excited about the thought of having a yacht, which then led to a houseboat obsession. It was actually on my birthday weekend, but I planned a trip for us to go to Saugatuck, Michigan, to tour the boat that Ian's been looking at online for so long.

Who do you know that our readers should know?
Dean Poulos, the owner of Homer's Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor in Wilmette on Green Bay Road. I met him because I was such a huge fan of the ice cream. After we starting talking, he really bent over backwards to give me insight and guide me when I was starting out my business.

Drink that proves the wonders of alcohol, and your favorite place to drink it?
I don't really drink much, but when I do I'm all about the mojitos at Cafe 28 on Ravenswood and Irving Park. They are probably the best I have ever had, just the right balance of rum and lime and tons of fresh mint. They have a nice back patio for mojito drinking in the summer, and I usually have all of my "29th" birthdays there.

Favorite place for something sweet?
My friend threw a New Year's Eve party and served desserts from Bittersweet; everything was amazing, especially the raspberry ganache tart.

What words best describe your cookies?
Way better than anyone else's (it also happens to be my tagline).

Check out Hilary's Cookies at EatHilarysCookies.com