I totally went in the opposite direction of what I was doing and I love it, says Coia. That kind of will power runs in the family. Allison Coia’s
older sister Kathy also struggles with MS. Together, the sisters have completed two walks for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 

Last year, Allison also rode her bike 150 miles in the 2-day MS 150. 

The MS Challenge Walk will begin October 10 on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  More than 600 people, most of whom have been
touched by MS, will walk from historic Philadelphia through the rural Montgomery County and back.  Their motivations may vary, but they
all will raise awareness of MS and mony needed to advance scientific research and fund support services.  I'm confident that I'll make it,
says Coia.  I always have numbness and tingling in my left-hand and left foot. I'm more concerned with blisters and tendonitis.  That kind of
commitment is one of the reasons Coia recently received the MS Leadership Award, which honors Philadelphia area professionals who've
made an outstanding contribution to the business, civic and cultural betterment of our community.

The biggest challenge is never knowing what tomorrow brings. Mentally it’s kind of tough on you, says Coia. But I think that things
happen for a reason. Somebody up there knows that I will get out there, bring awareness, and raise money. And so, why sit back when 
I am physically able to participate and do events like this?? 

Personal chef Allison Coia of Aston, Pa., helps busy families and single people in parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania and
New Jersey organize their meals though the Cook-A-Doodle personal chef service. The service is available in New Castle
County in Delaware; Delaware, Chester, lower Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania; and Gloucester 
and Salem counties in New Jersey. 

One of her clients loved this chili recipe, which can be enjoyed throughout the week as leftovers. 

ALLISON'S FIVE-ALARM FIREHOUSE CHILI 

2 pounds top round or chuck steak - cut in 1/2 inch cubes 
1 tablespoon salt 
1 teaspoon black pepper 
3 teaspoons olive oil 
7 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
3 1/2 cups water
3 bay leaves
1 1/3 tablespoons paprika
1 1/3 teaspoons cumin
1 1/3 teaspoons oregano
1 cup coffee (brewed strong)
1 1/2 cans crushed tomatoes in purée (28-ounce can)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/3 chipolte pepper, packed in adobe sauce (found in specialty stores)
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 cans red kidney beans (19-ounce can), drained
1 1/3 tablespoons flour (see note)
2 2/3 tablespoons cornmeal (see note)
2/3 cup water (see note) 

Season meat with salt and pepper and brown in the olive oil in a large pot. Add garlic and cayenne and cook for 1 minute.
Add onion and pepper and cook until the onion becomes transparent. Add water and bay leaf. Cover and simmer until meat is 
tender, about 1 1/2 hours. 

Add all but the last three ingredients and simmer uncovered until the flavors are married and the meat is very tender, about 30 minutes. 

If the chili is to your desired thickness, omit last three ingredients. Remove bay leaf and adjust seasonings. 

Note: If you like a thicker chili, you can blend flour, cornmeal and water together and whisk into simmering chili, stirring until thickened,
about 10 minutes or less. 

Aston-  Who hasn’t dreamed of arriving home from a hard day’s work and finding the kitchen alive with mouth-watering aromas
and a complete meal, ready to eat.  That dream can now be a reality thanks to Allison Coia, a self-described “personal chef.”  Coia is
the owner/operator of Cook-A-Doodle-Doo, a personal chef service that will design your menu, purchase the ingredients, arrive with all
cookware and cutlery needed, create the dinner, package the leftovers, and clean up the kitchen afterward.

“Our service begins with a free culinary consultation to evaluate the client’s tastes and needs,” Coia said.  “During the interview, 
we get to know the client’s eating preferences, favorite foods, food dislikes and any dietary requirements, which assists us when making
a client’s menu selections.”   During the interview, Coia will learn the kitchen’s layout, meet your family pets and determine the client’s
expectations. “Many of my clients hire Cook-A-Doodle-Doo to make enough food for two weeks, or 10 dinners,” she said.  “Many of these
clients are too busy to cook.”A two-week meal plan costs $350, which includes everything for two people.In this situation, Coia spends a
day in the client’s kitchen, creating the 10 meals, which are then labeled and refrigerated or frozen.

Coia’s flexibility  also extends to the number of meals she will prepare – from one dinner or dinner party, up to a monthly meal plan.
When Coia leaves, the client’s kitchen is spotless.  Coia even brings her own trash can and removes all cooking-related trash. “The only way
you know I was there is by the great smell when you walk in the front door,” she said.

Cook-A-Doodle-Doo’s menu choices are extensive, ranging from vegetarian dishes to specifically prepared, heart-healthy menus. 
“If you don’t see your favorite dish on my menu, I will be happy to discuss this during our interview,” Coia said.  “We aim to please and make
every meal the best you ever tasted.”

When Coia shops for food, she purchases fresh vegetables and herbs, top quality meats and the freshest fish available, she said. 
Coia comes from a cooking family, she said.  Her late mother, Madalyn taught her “the tricks of the trade.”  The family owned a delicatessen
in Norwood, where Coia learned much about foods. “A lot of people don’t know that we are out there,” she said.  

I travel to Chester, Lower Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, as well as to New Jersey and Delaware.” Cook-A-Doodle-Doo is 
perfect for busy families on the go, new parents, singles, convalescents, people with special dietary needs, and for friends who have “everything.”

Gift Certificates are available.

To learn more about Cook-A-Doodle-Doo, call 610-331-6231 or visit Coia’s Website at www.cookadoodledoo.com.  Prices for individual 

meals, dinner parties, and various other plans are listed on the Website.