Testimonials

Another tidbit of international intrigue, perhaps even juicier than the Swedish Meatball Investigation of the recent past, has come to our attention via a communique from our man in Manhattan, Paul Bunten, regarding the state of baking in Denmark.

Paul calls Janet's Chocolate Cake his quickest and easiest chocolate cake. Paul writes, "I translated the recipe into Danish, including conversion to grams and decileters, and sent it to my oldest friend in the world, who lives in a remote farm community in the far northwestern part of Jutland. The Danes have no tradition of cake baking as we do, so the cake is known locally as "American chocolate cake" (Amerikanskechokoladekage) and has developed a strong, local following. Birgitte bakes them two at a time for people with the right 'connections'. I have to send her Hershey's cocoa, confectioners' sugar, and unsweetened chocolate (the latter two for frosting; nope, not used in Denmark). The postage costs me ten times as much as the ingredients do.

I wanted to let you know how much the May issue has meant to me. It must sound kooky to you, for a cooking newsletter to have such significance but let me explain. To jog your memory, mother passed away July 31st, 1995. After her death I was heartbroken, devastated, to say the least. I was alone with no living family, too depressed to keep a job or do much of anything. You sent me the most comforting letter I have ever received, which I even saved as a reminder that there are good people and things left in this sometimes heartless world. Its been a tough 5 (almost 6) years with a lot of ups and downs. You gave me comfort and encouragemenet when I needed it the most and I am eternally grateful for that. I find if fitting that as Mother's Day approaches and the pain of loss arises again for me, that my beautiful mother's chocolate cake is taking Denmark by storm! I was so touched by this that I cried while I read it. I hope you realize how your little newsletter and you have given me some much needed comfort during a difficult and new phase in my life.

"Your 12 page publication is the best mail in my box! I read your words over and over in the middle of the night and via the poetry of your descriptive words about your spot on the planet, I fall in love all over again with my spot on the planet. The Door County Peninsula. It is all so identical except for the lobster (we have 'whitefish' and 'fishboils').

"I really like the way it evokes the front-porch sort of life where you live."

"Your publication just gets yummier every issue."

"Your patter, recipes, and touching stories resonated deeply with the natural, caring, close-to-earth way of life my mother led. You offer an old-fashioned sense and rhythm of life which confirmed hers, even though you and she were at least one, if not two generations apart."

"Every other magazine I buy or subscribe to is always disappointing. But not COOK & TELL. It always delights."

"Thank you for the peace you bring."