Dennis Quaid is playing a Carnegie Mellon University professor who falls in love with a former student, one Sarah Jessica Parker, in a movie called “Smart People” being filmed in the Pittsburgh area. When filming in Springdale, he wanted to have a good homemade chicken noodle soup. Hollywood stars get what they want and Kathy Kaminski got a call on her way to her Springdale Ladles Restaurant. Rushing to the kitchen she made her famous chicken noodle soup and took it to the set. She also brought plenty of soup for the film crew.

It’s all in days work for Kathy who cooks and oversees two Ladles Restaurants, does a television cook show and holds cooking classes. After 25 years of operating a beauty salon, she and her husband Kevin opened Ladles Restaurant in Arnold in 2000. She even continued in the beauty salon business until this year! In March of 2006 she opened Ladles in Springdale and in July she moved her restaurant from Arnold to the former Italian Oven on 2100 Freeport Road in New Kensington.

If that isn’t enough, Kathy is planning to reopen her Arnold Restaurant at 1729 5th Avenue in December and offer an Italian Buffet on Friday and Saturdays this December from 4 to 9 p.m. If it is a big hit she may have a third restaurant in 2007. Somehow, I suspect that will be the case!

As a first generation Italian, Kathy is a passionate cook. She learned from her mother Pauline who still works with her at the restaurant. Using recipes passed down she also adds her own creativity in developing new recipes that are big hits. She even confessed in the midst of filming her popular cable television cooking show to having inventing recipes on the spot.

Ladles Restaurant is hometown, home cooking restaurant that gives you generous portions for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Successful from the beginning, their popularity continues to grow as word of mouth spreads. Kathy says, “nothing fancy” about her meals, just good home cooking. Obviously she is doing something right. It takes 60 employees to staff the two restaurants and keep up with the traffic. And, Kathy is right at the grill cooking. My wife and went for a Saturday morning breakfast and sure enough, she was out back cooking.

The restaurant is so popular that people leave comments on line at Yahoo. Some of these say, “The steak salads are great, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is in the area,” and, “This is great place to go for a GOOD dinner. They have great Wedding Soup, and their Canolies or really good for a treat. You should try it sometime.”, and, “Ladles is truly the place to eat if you enjoy quality food at reasonable prices. This is not a chain food restaurant. I will gladly pay a dollar more for homemade food. I always leave with a doggie bag and have enough for lunch the next day. Ladles is everyone I know favorite restaurant-check it out!!!” And, these are only several comments of many more.

One comment that sums up how popular Ladles has become is. “What a friendly place to eat and the atmosphere is charming. A nice clean place with excellent food and the coffee was good too!! The servings were more then enough for one person be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. We found a new home not only in Arnold, but in their 2nd location Springdale, PA. Good luck in your new home in Springdale and we are the lucky ones to have you!” If you are looking for a fun night of cooking and fun, sign up for a Ladles Kitchen Cooking Class with Head Cook, Kathy Kaminski. Ladles will offer a monthly schedule of classes that will be held at the former Arnold location of Ladles Restaurant (1733 Fifth Avenue). This class promises to be an informative as well as entertaining experience. All classes will be 2-3 hours long and will be limited to 40 people. Complimentary wine and beverages will be served as well as a delicious sampling of the dishes prepared. For reservations, call: 724-337-9310 or 724-339-9373."

Ladles also offer catering and private dining at the Springdale location. If you haven’t been to Ladles, you need to go. I have a friend tell me the soups are worth killing for! Visit their web site at www.ladleskitchen.com and check out the cable television schedule for your area. It won’t be long before Rachael Ray may have to move over!