Berkeley’s ‘Cookie Lady’ Ends 61-Week Run

BERKELEY, CA — Amid the darkest days of the pandemic, Jane Alexiadis helped sweeten the mood in her Berkeley Hills neighborhood.

The East Bay woman started baking cookies for neighbors and passersby early on in the pandemic, creating a community event that lasted well over a year. Alexiadis launched what would become “Cookie Wednesday” in April 2020 as a way to commemorate Earth Day.

The “Cookie Lady” ended her ended her 61-week run Wednesday.

“It was so much fun I just did another week, and another week…” Alexiadis said.

The event caught on.

Social isolation became less isolating outside Alexiadis’ home on The Alameda, as neighbors who’d passed each other by for years without saying more than an occasional “hello” finally introduced themselves to each other over freshly baked sweets at a safe distance.

Alexiadis made somewhere between 6,000 and 7,000 cookies over the 61 weeks — but never the same batch twice.

“I didn’t repeat any flavors for the first few weeks and that became a matter of pride for me,” Alexiadis said.

“I’ve made Hamantaschen for (Purim), Koulourakia for Greek Easter, Honey Pistachio for the end of Ramadan, Meyer lemon olive oil to honor Kamala Harris’ Berkeley roots, COVID meringues and so many more!"

“Cookie Wednesday” did a lot more than satisfy comfort food cravings during uncomfortable times, neighbor Bella Ho said.

“Her weekly afternoon sidewalk offering has created a neighborhood gathering space and has been a weekly milestone to look forward to as people took to the streets for exercise, community, and something to do during the dreary days of the pandemic shutdown,” Ho said.

“It has been an institution and a way to mark the time. I planned my exercise schedule around it. I will miss it and I hope her gift to the community and delicious recipes can be celebrated in the news.”

As the pandemic separated neighbors, “Cookie Wednesday,” helped bring them together, and that was the sweetest part, Alexiadis said.

“I’m so delighted to be in the middle of what has become a community event!” she said.