What a Gift!

Besides the unbelievable support from my husband, family and friends throughout these past few months, the greatest gift I've received this Christmas has been the overwhelmingly positive response to Laurie Bakke's Cookbook.  In addition to finally having the books ready, we've heard wonderful comments from not only our retailers, but folks who've bought the books.  I am thrilled!

After some time with family, I will be out in force to promote this book, kicking off the 'tour' with an appearance on Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly on WSPA/Channel 7 on January 11 and then a book signing at Homestead on January 22.  Additional signings and cooking demonstrations will be set up throughout the coming months, but I'd love to hear from you.  Where would you like to see this book?  We hope to have the book in Foxfire in Greenville in January as well as additional retailers in Brevard, Hendersonville and Asheville just after the New Year.

And if you haven't noticed it yet, you can now purchase the book online via my blog.  Look over to the right...that's right, the Buy Now button over there.  If you can't make it to a retailer and want to purchase a book from the comfort of your home, you can do it here.  Let me know if you have any issues with it, but know that it is a safe, secure system set up by PayPal.  Happy Shopping!

Again, thank you all for the gift of your support! Happy New Year to everyone...2011 promises to be a busy one for me!

They're Here! and Here and Here, too!

The books are officially here (notice the pic to the left here...deja vu!) and in stores...at varying stages throughout today! They are currently at The Wrinkled Egg, Homestead, Nib's and Fountainhead Bookstore in Hendersonville and will be in Yesterday's Tree and Highland Lake Inn before 5pm today!!!!

Enjoy! And know that if you don't get your copy this week, there will be more coming in the next week.

Thanks for hanging in there until they arrived!

Laurie

An Early Christmas Present

We're down to the final count here...the book is in print production and we're shooting for our first 'small batch' release on December 23. Folks currently on a waiting list with our retailers will be able to grab their copy before Christmas. We hope to have the remaining copies (that's over 1500 by the way) in time for the New Year...specific dates and book signings will be posted as I know them!

But, as an early Christmas present, I'm going to give you a sneak peek of one recipe that's a winner during holiday party season or when guests drop in. Rosemary Pecans are a fresh spin on the 'spiced pecans' that are so yummy, but take a bit longer to prepare. Ready in minutes and using fresh herbs, these pecans are a win-win all the way around.

Enjoy and let me know how they turn out for you!

Better Late than Never!

Hello Friends!

I had so hoped to get my book into stores on or around the 17th, but it looks like it will be arriving just a few short days before Christmas. Oh, how I've lost sleep over that! Unfortunately, there are just some things- many - that we have no control over. And I've come to realize that it will be just fine! What motivates me most is just how proud I am of this new book. I know that it will be a great addition to your culinary bookshelf.

So, what can you do to make sure you get a copy before Christmas? Call your preferred retailer: Wrinkled Egg, Highland Lake Inn, Nib's Coffee Cafe, Homestead, Fountainhead Bookstore, or Yesterday's Tree and tell them you'd like to be put on their list for the Cookbook. That way, they'll know how many to order and you'll get your book or your gift for others just in time!

I am also setting up a means to sell the book directly from this site--securely! As some of you know, my gmail account was 'hacked' this week, so security is of the utmost importance to me, now more than ever! I'm sure many of you received a desperate (and poorly written) plea from me while stranded in London...I'm safe, sound and happy right here in Hendersonville. No need to send money to London!

I look forward to another post soon announcing my shopping cart or pay pal information. In the meantime, call your retailers and hang in there...the book is on the way!

We're in the home stretch now! Final edits and then to the printer, back to us for final touches, and then into the hands of our retailers--all before Christmas!!!

In case you're wondering where you can pick up your copy, here's an initial list. In Flat Rock, you will be able to pick up copies at The Wrinkled Egg...where Behind the Scenes was launched and sold; and at Highland Lake Inn, where I spent many years in the kitchen and the garden! In Hendersonville, stop by Fountainhead Bookstore on Main Street, a great independent bookstore; Homestead, a fabulous home and linens shop, also located on Main Street; and, Nib's Coffee Cafe, located in Kanuga Cottage District and a favorite stop for coffee/teas, sandwiches and baked goods. If you're over in South Asheville, you can also pick up a copy at Yesterday's Tree, awesome furniture and fabrics, just across from Biltmore Forest.

Most all of these folks have a waiting list started, so please put your name down now so that they will know how many books to have on hand.

I can't wait for you to see it! And please, check back soon for updates as I have them.

Laurie

Just in time for Christmas!

I'm so excited to finally say that local retailers (and you!) will have a copy of Laurie Bakke's Cookbook...Fresh Recipes from Cafe Laurie, Culinary School and other Great Kitchens before Christmas!

Is that a new title, you ask? Why yes, it is! Our first cookbook, Behind the Scenes from Cafe Laurie was a one of a kind, hand-crafted edition. We loved it and know you did as well. But in order to share even more recipes with lots more folks, we had to rethink how we were making that book and as a result, have a different cookbook. That difference warranted a new name and I feel it's reflective of my journey to get to where I am today...lots of great kitchens cooking up lots of fresh food! Laurie Bakke's Cookbook has all the favorites from Behind the Scenes, but with lots of fun new recipes added in.

I'll keep you posted in the coming days about definite release dates and retailers that will carry the book. See you soon!