Mrs. Drukatz’s pudding was not mere pudding; it held a story

Illustration: Dov-Ber Cohen

Eavesdrop on any conversation among old-time Londoners between the ages of 60 to 90 reminiscing about Yesodey Hatorah School or Agudah Boys’ Camp, and you’ll be sure to hear the name Mrs. Chava Drukatz a”h.

“Boyyerz, I made you chipperz,” she’d call every day at noon. And the boys came running, because those chips, which she hand-sliced, fried, and served by the bucket, were out of this world, just like all of her legendary cuisine.

She was their chef for years, and apparently no cooking has ever come close – the chocolatey yeast cake on erev Shabbos, the shepherd’s pie with its shiny crust, the mouthwatering goulash, and the delicious fish balls (yes, fish balls).

And then there was the chocolate pudding.

Ahhh, Mrs. Drukatz’s chocolate pudding—a piece of heaven. For years, YHS alumni have searched for the recipe, but have yet to recreate it. Once, a letter writer wrote to a Stamford Hill advertiser offering a crisp £100 in return for the elusive Mrs. Drukatz Chocolate Pudding Recipe. He wrote that the mere memory brings tears to his eyes.

It is not as ridiculous — or gluttonous — as it sounds. Mrs. Drukatz’s pudding was not mere pudding; it held a story.