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Happy Birthday Dear Book!

Sep 29, 2009 | From the kitchen of Rose

Today is the official pub date of Rose's Heavenly Cakes though the book has been out for several weeks.

I thank you all for your wonderful feedback. There have been several "Wows"--can't get more eloquent than that. Another favorite was "insanely wonderful" (love it)!

And here's Hector's response on first receiving the book, which I leave unchanged as even his minor errors (English is his third language) touches my heart:

Everyone who has cake bible will get this one. It really is
everything one can wish for after cake bible! I know all your other
books can also be "part two" of cake bible, but this one is it!

I hope you live till 150 years, and you release a new CAKE book every
20 years. The world needs it. I am so happy you are so open to
reality and indeed you are evolving. This book shows you, the new
Rose, renassaince Rose, the Rose that is catering to today and to
people of today. Once many times I commented, narrow minded, that
mini cakes, cupcakes, red velvet, white chocolate, non mousseline,
etc, are not real cake or real baking, but now you changed my vision.
I glanced at your book 5 times last night, until taking it to bed and
flip every page from the very first page, page by page until past
middle of book and falling to sleep. I also looked at the cover, the
hard cover, the spine, the paper, how this is all built.

I loved my mention, I told my friends I am mentioned in the
ackowledgements, perhaps in very short and small print, but now, I
have near 5 lines if not a whole paragrah about me! I also loved the
part you say that writting is lonelly, and the blog makes you no
longer lonelly. So many new angels came to you thru the blog and keep
coming, I think now is the perfect time to revamp the blog, change the
design, add more functionality, no idea how, so many new technologies
now. Maybe just have you come back to it the same way we miss you,
with your many generous comments and answers. I think you will, new
book to blog about!

I don't know how you keep track and in touch with the many people you
mention in the ackowledgement and introduction. The world is at your
feet, so many friends, colleges, agents, and also computer people! I
love woody's picture, with his meassuring device, really neat and well
presented.

Love the lemon poppy seed cake baked on the heart nordic pan, the
slice is so stunning!

I thought you already told me everything about the book, you have
been, and that yesterday I wouldn't be impressed. I was so wow, this
book is so beautiful my dear, so you, and it shows you made this book
for love and as a gift to people that you love, many people, and with
individual attention. Each cake is a love story! You wrote a cake to
each person you love, like a musician giving the gift of music, you
write one new song for each one of us. Thank you for been who you are,
only you know how and there is only one like you, Rose, but so glad
this flower comes in many colors!

I hope this book does well and that you take a lot of ginseng and
embrace publicity, the news, the media. We really like to hear your
side of the story about this book, now that is out to the public!

Another response I adore and treasure is from my cousin Elizabeth Granatelli who is a graphic artist. She is half Sicilian and here is a photo which unfortunately is only a snippet of her with the main focus having been on the Sicilian Pistachio Cake I made for her to taste. By pure coincidence (or was it?!) she is wearing a pistachio and white striped sweater!

Pistachio%20Cake.jpg

I Elizabeth's detailed eye in describing so many of the book's special features:

Hi Rose,

Thank you for sending me the copy of your new book Rose's heavenly cakes.
Perfect title! Congratulations!

The book arrived in perfect condition, package in a paper envelope with
bubbled wrap, encased in a heavy cardboard envelope.

The book is exquisite!

Your photographs (interior & back cover flap) compliment you. Captures you
in a wonderful warm, friendly, and professional way. Woody's photo is
really nice.

The (book jacket) cover is elegant. The title: emboss lettering, with a
gloss finish, makes your (very perfect) title stand out without taking away
from the gorgeous, rich photograph. The matt finish on the front jacket
enhances the richness of the photograph. Light/glare doesn't bounce off the
cover. The spine is unique & outstanding as well. Rich, just the right colors,
emboss text, and a touch of the end paper design. The back cover, gloss
(makes sense to me because your book may sit on a table/counter top and I
think the gloss finish may help protect the back part of the jacket) - a heart
with two forks! Brilliant. I love the quote, taken from the forward.

Under the book jacket: the hardcover design is very, very sensual…….. So
is cooking, baking, sharing, eating……. Yum. Nice surprise.

The (interior) end pages are just lovely…….. An x-ray (Man Ray style or
Elliott's influence?) photographic image of small delicate roses. Love the
color - not a cliché at all. And the tiny thorns……well (I thought) cooking
can be dangerous, using sharp utensils. Nice metaphor, while keeping with
your name, Rose. Cooking: a beautiful art, with a hint of risk! Fun!
Concept designs repeats on the “Content” pages.

I just love Elliott's quote, following the copyright page. Genius.
Inspirational.

I love the color, type, and layout re: the interior. The color scheme
repeats throughout the book - very nice touch - creating a nice feel -
compliments the photographs - easy on the eye - easy to follow and read - a visual
pleasure. The photographs are sumptuous - rich, with light, & color - I can
practically taste each piece. I love that the photographs “bleed” off the
edges of the page.

Well, there you have it -

Again, Congratulations & thanks. I know your book will be a huge success.

Comments

Dear Rose,

Is it permissible to use your All American Apple Pie recipe and your Flaky Cream Cheese pie crust recipe to enter a local apple pie contest? I would have to submit the recipe with my pie entry, and since it is your pie rcipe, I wouldn't want to do that without your permission.

I have made this pie for several friends this Fall, and it's been a joy to see the amiles on their faces as they bite into this delicous creation.

Thank you.

Carol

REPLY

fatima, i could not ask for a more eloquent and heartfelt posting. warmest wishes for greatest success with your cake ventures.

REPLY

I received you book and read through it twice!!! Oh it is just delightful. I love it just as much as The Cake Bible, if not more. I left reviews on Amazon and BN.com. Here is what I wrote. What a talent you are!

A Culinary Master At her Best!

Rose Levy Berenbaum's book is one of the best books that have been written when it comes to baking and cake decorating. I have stacks and stacks of cake decorating books on the side of my bed to help me prepare for my new venture in cake decorating and none compare to this one. She has a skill and craft that not even the best pastry chefs can compare to. She writes for you to learn. She writes for you to explore the world of baking in a way that no other person can explore it the way that you do. She write so that you can go on a special culinary journey one page at time. From chocolate, to lemon, to cheesecake, Rose Levy Berenbaum's book is a craft written like no other. She is a teacher, an author, and above all a culinary master there for all who need her to teach us all the tricks of the trade and master it as well as she does. Her book is beautifully written and and displayed and each recipe tests just as it says.

Kudos to you Ms. Berenbaum for I am now one of your biggest fans, for your techniques and style have changed the way I cook and I am forever grateful!

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Victoria Lubin
Victoria Lubin
10/01/2009 08:41 PM

Thank you for your beautiful book. Once again I am inspired to try every single recipe. Perfect timing ... apples are everywhere and your first recipe calls for them. Maybe your next cookbook could be about baked goods to mail to people.

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Oh, how truly gifted you are! Thanks for taking the time to respond and developing this site. I have really learned a lot in the short time I have been reading through it. I have taken a lot of classes, and I have learned more from you online and your book, than any class that I have ever taken! Keep up the great work!!

REPLY

fatima! what a beautiful heart felt review and how beautifully written. i love the part about bringing the new glaze to light. it is indeed as if it were lit from within. i'll never forget seeing it for the first time in that tiny jewel box of a bakery in japan and chef/owner sugino-san saying with humble pride: "it is made with ingredients from a supermarket." how wonderful anyone including home bakers can achieve this magnificent glaze.

REPLY

Rose,

I am in the process of starting a new baking venture in my life. I have baked for many years, but there were cakes that I never tried and I wanted to incorporate them into my business. Well, I found a couple of recipes and they said to add a little of this and a little of that and for some reason after about 10 cakes none of them came out like the cakes I was used to making. Then something told me to look at your book, and I read the cake bible and the understanding sections (I have had your book for years, but only glanced at it) and WOW!!!! What a wonderful book. I never knew all the stuff that was in it. It changed my life and how I approach baking. Then I found this website and saw all of your mini-classes, blogs, etc., etc. and then shortly after discovering the wonders of the cake bible, I realized that you just published yet ANOTHER BOOK! Which I ordered and am waiting to arrive. I was amazed by the new glaze that you have brought to light, and your many techniques and just like your other fans. I will be a follower for life. I have read the reviews about your books and boy were they right. Thank you for your gift and patience in your voice. You are truly a gifted baker, teacher and I am blessed to have found you. I hope to meet you one day!

REPLY

thank you--that's wonderful to know! i'll be tuning in on a reegular basis now!

REPLY

KCRW's Good Food airs Saturdays from 11:00am - 12:00pm Pacific Time, and what's wonderful if you can listen to the show streaming live online from anywhere as it's happening. After the show you can always return the main Good Food page to listen to any episode. (They are immediately posted and archived. Can you tell how much I love their website and the show?)
The detailed description of the 10/3 show that mentions your/Rose's appearance is here (http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/gf/gf091003pork_rinds_futurist_)
:)
Rachel

REPLY

rachelino--thanks again--what a great surprise--i really wanted to post this but didn't know when. i have it scheduled to post on friday just in case people don't see this thread. what is the time of the show? when i followed the link i only saw pork rinds!

REPLY

Ha! As a follow-up to my first comment, Rose will be featured on KCRW's Good Food Program this Saturday 10/3, hosted by Evan Kleinman -- you can listen to it online here
http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/gf

REPLY

I saw Hector's review on Amazon and it really made me smile. So Hector! I mean, in a good way :-), the Hector we all know and love.

REPLY

Such beautiful sentiments from both Hector and Elizabeth... very eloquent, just like the book.

REPLY

Well, Rose, You are most welcome. I am just a newbie/baby professional....but I am sure several years from now when I feel a whole lot more professional I will feel the same way. And I have been reading BakeWise and Shirley mentions you throughout!
Lynn Rosetto Kasper and Evan Kleinman also tell people to use your book whenever a pie or cake question comes up. So the admiration is widespread. :)

REPLY

thank you rachelino--it's so gratifying to be appreciated by another professional!

REPLY

That pistachio cake is one of the many, many recipes that jump off the page and say "BAKE ME". I have already gushed but the book is beautifully laid out and printed, and the photographs are exquisite. I also love elliot's quote.
The more I bake, for myself, for friends, for customers, the more I realize just how much effort has gone into each of your recipes, Rose. And I so appreciate that you are here, online, involved, answering and asking questions. Thanks for sharing this.

REPLY

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