The Wednesday Chef cooks her heart out, finds her way home, and shares her recipes with us
It takes courage to turn your life upside down, especially when everyone is telling you how lucky you are. But sometimes what seems right can feel deeply wrong. "My Berlin Kitchen" tells the story of how one thoroughly confused, kitchen-mad perfectionist broke off her engagement to a handsome New Yorker, quit her dream job, and found her way to a new life, a new man, and a new home in Berlin one recipe at a time.
Luisa Weiss grew up with a divided heart, shuttling back and forth between her father in Boston and her Italian mother in Berlin. She was always yearning for home until she found a new home in the kitchen. Luisa started clipping recipes in college and was a cookbook editor in New York when she decided to bake, roast, and stew her way through her by then unwieldy collection over the course of one tumultuous year. The blog she wrote to document her adventures in (and out) of the kitchen, "The Wednesday Chef," soon became a sensation. But she never stopped hankering for Berlin.
Luisa will seduce you with her stories of foraging for plums in abandoned orchards, battling with white asparagus at the tail end of the season, orchestrating a three-family Thanksgiving in Berlin, and mending her broken heart with batches (and batches) of impossible German Christmas cookies. Fans of her award-winning blog will know the happy ending, but anyone who enjoyed "Julie and Julia" will laugh and cheer and cook alongside Luisa as she takes us into her heart and tells us how she gave up everything only to find love waiting where she least expected it."
About the Author :
Luisa Weiss was born in West Berlin and spent her childhood between Berlin and Boston. She started "The Wednesday Chef," an award-winning food blog, in 2005. She has worked as a cookbook editor in Paris and New York and now lives in Berlin with her husband, Max.
Review :
Luisa Weiss s piquant memoir has charm, heartbreak, family history, and recipes galore. "Elle"
The new "Julie & Julia"! It s part cookbook and part memoir; you ll finish a chapter and find yourself in the kitchen following the recipe Weiss includes . . . A transcontinental romance about taking risks in life and in the kitchen. " Marie Claire"
A heartwarming (and often mouth-watering) memoir, German-born chef and writer Weiss recounts how . . . through hardship and heartbreak, she found solace among saucepans and stews. . . . Foodies and nonfoodies alike will enjoy chapters brimming with colorful cooking tales and savory recipes. " "Allison Block, "Booklist "(starred review)
A thoughtful, earnestly winning memoir.
"Publishers Weekly"
Readers of Weiss s popular cooking blog know some of her personal history. . . . This memoir fills in the blanks, exploring the loneliness and alienation of a child who never quite feels at home wherever she is . . . and the debilitating heartbreak when an important relationship fails. But there is plenty of joy, too: summers at her grandparents Italian farmhouse, falling in love, and, always, the pleasures of the kitchen. Each chapter closes with a recipe for a dish referenced in the text, most of which represent one of the places Weiss has called home. . . . This charming food memoir will prove enjoyable to anyone who loves Laurie Colwin or M.L.K. Fisher.
"Library Journal"
I hope you re prepared to clear a day or two of your schedule once you open this book, because you re not going to want to put it down to do anything well, anything but make a beeline for the kitchen to make a rolled omelet or fake baked beans. Luisa has a way of telling her story that s nothing short of entrancing. Deb Perelman, creator of Smitten Kitchen
A beautifuland inspiring story about how we sometimes have to take a leap of faithto follow our life s passion. I was so charmed byLuisa Weiss s honesty, vulnerabilities, andbeautiful writing all whilecraving braised endives. A lovely, remarkable, and delicious tale of the romance of a lifetime. Kathleen Flinn, author of "The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry"
Luisa Weiss writes with grace and ease about her search for a sense of belonging in "My Berlin Kitchen." That she also cooks appealing dishes and writes beautifully about food only adds dimension to her wonderful memoir. You will read with intense delight, cheeringher on through heartbreak and triumphs. Amanda Hesser, cofounder of Food52 and author of "The Essential New York Times Cookbook"
"My Berlin Kitchen" is a truly remarkable memoir, told with sensitivity and honesty. Filled withthe emotions and flavors of a life that spans three cultures and cuisines, this isa book you won't want to put down, except to makeits enticing recipes. DavidLebovitz, bestselling authorof"TheSweetLifeinParis"
Luisa s heartfelt and engrossing memoir will resonate deeply with anyone who s ever sensed the profound connection between the food we eat and our sense of home. Clotilde Dusoulier, creator ofChocolate & Zucchiniand author of "Clotilde s Edible Adventures in Paris"
"My Berlin Kitchen "is an aromatic chronicle of love, food, and finding home. Luisa s fragrant prose will have you longing for her Tomato Bread Soup and smelling her freshly baked Poppy Seed Whirligig Buns. Her quest for heart and hearth is inspiring and touching and leaves you feeling as if you have found a new friend. Debra Weiner, author of "How to Recognize Your Future Ex-Husband"
Part culinary journal, part love story, "My Berlin Kitchen" chronicles a young woman s (often) difficult task of finding her way in the world. With the charm and honesty that is characteristic of herwonderful blog, Luisa Weiss has crafted a book that leaves a deep impression. Heidi Swanson, creator of 101 Cookbooks and bestselling author of "Super Natural Cooking""
"Luisa Weiss writes with grace and ease about her search for a sense of belonging in "My Berlin Kitchen." That she also cooks appealing dishes and writes beautifully about food only adds dimension to her wonderful memoir. You will read with intense delight, cheering her on through heartbreak and triumphs." --Amanda Hesser, cofounder of Food52 and author of "The Essential New York Times Cookbook"
"The new "Julie & Julia"! It's part cookbook and part memoir; you'll finish a chapter and find yourself in the kitchen following the recipe Weiss includes . . . A transcontinental romance about taking risks in life and in the kitchen.""--Marie Claire"
"Readers of Weiss's popular cooking blog know some of her personal history. . . . This memoir fills in the blanks, exploring the loneliness and alienation of a child who never quite feels at home wherever she is . . . and the debilitating heartbreak when an important relationship fails. But there is plenty of joy, too: summers at her grandparents' Italian farmhouse, falling in love, and, always, the pleasures of the kitchen. Each chapter closes with a recipe for a dish referenced in the text, most of which represent one of the places Weiss has called home. . . . This charming food memoir will prove enjoyable to anyone who loves Laurie Colwin or M.L.K. Fisher."--"Library Journal"
"Luisa Weiss's piquant memoir has charm, heartbreak, family history, and recipes galore."--"Elle"
"A thoughtful, earnestly winning memoir."--"Publishers Weekly"
"A heartwarming (and often mouth-watering) memoir, German-born chef and writer Weiss recounts how . . . through hardship and heartbreak, she found solace among saucepans and stews. . . . Foodies and nonfoodies alike will enjoy chapters brimming with colorful cooking tales and savory recipes.""--"Allison Block, "Booklist "(starred review)
""My Berlin Kitchen "is an aromatic chronicle of love, food, and finding home. Luisa's fragrant prose will have you longing for her Tomato Bread Soup and smelling her freshly baked Poppy Seed Whirligig Buns. Her quest for heart and hearth is inspiring and touching--and leaves you feeling as if you have found a new friend." --Debra Weiner, author of "How to Recognize Your Future Ex-Husband"
"A beautiful and inspiring story about how we sometimes have to take a leap of faith to follow our life's passion. I was so charmed by Luisa Weiss's honesty, vulnerabilities, and beautiful writing--all while craving braised endives. A lovely, remarkable, and delicious tale of the romance of a lifetime." --Kathleen Flinn, author of "The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry"
""My Berlin Kitchen" is a truly remarkable memoir, told with sensitivity and honesty. Filled with the emotions--and flavors--of a life that spans three cultures and cuisines, this is a book you won't want to put down, except to make its enticing recipes." --David Lebovitz, bestselling author of "The Sweet Life in Paris"
"Part culinary journal, part love story, "My Berlin Kitchen" chronicles a young woman's (often) difficult task of finding her way in the world. With the charm and honesty that is characteristic of her wonderful blog, Luisa Weiss has crafted a book that leaves a deep impression." --Heidi Swanson, creator of 101 Cookbooks and bestselling author of "Super Natural Cooking"
"I hope you're prepared to clear a day or two of your schedule once you open this book, because you're not going to want to put it down to do anything--well, anything but make a beeline for the kitchen to make a rolled omelet or fake baked beans. Luisa has a way of telling her story that's nothing short of entrancing." --Deb Perelman, creator of Smitten Kitchen
"Luisa's heartfelt and engrossing memoir will resonate deeply with anyone who's ever sensed the profound connection between the food we eat and our sense of home." --Clotilde Dusoulier, creator of Chocolate & Zucchini and author of "Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris"
