49 Comments

Thanks Jolene!!!!! It’s always a pleasure whenever we have our instagram exchanges! From one pastry chef to another. And I love the time travel kitchen. Keep ‘em coming!

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Thank you so much, Claire! I can’t wait to get your book! 🌸 🍰 🥂

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Feb 10, 2023Liked by Jolene Handy

Chez Panisse to Windsor Castle! That is quite a resume. And I'm very grateful the Warhol estate let her use "Love is a Pink Cake"--what a perfect title!

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Isn’t it? And, yes — what a brilliant career! 🌸💕🍰

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Yes, perfect title indeed!

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Fun trivia: the sweet curlicue calligraphy on the cover of Warhol’s book was likely done by his mother, Julia Warhola! She did some work under her own name, but also did quite a bit for Warhol without credit. She was really something.

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Andrea...now officially requesting a letter on artists cookbooks.

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I’ve actually written one already, for Stained Page News!! https://www.stainedpagenews.com/p/inside-the-world-of-art-cookbooks. Definitely thinking about writing an update for Weekly Special at some point :)

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This is fabulous, Andrea! Thank you for linking and YES to an update!

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Aww thank you!!

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And I loved it, as expected!

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Thank you Mia!! 🥰

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Agreed!

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Yes!

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This letter is everything 🫠 I religiously make Claire’s egg yolk chocolate chip cookies I grifted off of Taste.com, but where would you recommend starting with her cookbooks? Also, I LOVE an artist cookbook. The Dali cookbook is on my forever wishlist.

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Hi, Mia! I love those chocolate chip cookies. I love the Violet Bakery Cookbook, especially love the ginger molasses cookies and madeleines. My copy of Love is a Pink Cake arrives May 4th so I’ll let you know what I’m baking from there first! Hope you and your family are well! 💕 🍰

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I’m a huge fan of Andy Warhol’s illustrations--and now I have at least 2 more cookbooks I covet, including Claire Ptak’s new one. Thanks for another utterly delightful post!

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Thank you so much, Ruth! So many books to love!

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Just in case, this might be a nice supplement

https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/93085/ice-cream-dessert

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Thanks for yet another wonderful post, Jolene! And a Happy Valentine's Day to you!

And a huge congrats on your featured post on Substack Reads today!!!!

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Thank you so much, Joan, it was a nice surprise! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Both Love is a Pink Cake and Chocolate Cake For Imaginary Lives are amazing titles! Thanks for sharing about them, Jolene.

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Thanks, Sarah, I love both titles, too!

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You just taught me something new about Warhol! And a nifty use for rose water to boot. Thank you 🙏.

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Thanks, Lisa! I’m using some of the Rosewater as a splash on my face! I love a multi-purpose food item! 🌹

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Me, too! There's even a permaculture phrase for that: "stacked functions."

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Love it! 🌹

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Feb 10, 2023Liked by Jolene Handy

Oh, Jolene! So much "good stuff" to ponder in this post this morning! Thank you for the introduction to Claire. Let me know when you're free to go to London, and we'll check out "Violet Cakes." I just ordered CHOCOLATE CAKES FOR IMAGINARY LIVES. ❤️ I share. your feelings about Burt. 🥲

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Let’s go, Pam! So glad you ordered the book, it’s amazing. Many of my friends are feeling the same about Burt, what a talent!

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And those Honey and Rose Water Madeleines sound fab. Right up my alley.

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They are so tender, Kate! I’m not even gonna put the syrup on next time, perfect as is, but dressy for company with the syrup! 🌸

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Love love love love...is a pink cake!💗

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Indeed, Christene! 💕🍰💕

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This sounds like an amazing new book! I love how Claire was inspired by Andy Warhol and how she has created such a brilliant career for herself, from Chez Panisse (!) to the Royal Wedding cake (!!). The fact that she wants to make the recipes accessible for home bakers is so thoughtful and generous. Thanks for interviewing Claire for us Jolene <3

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Thank you, Sinù! I agree, it’s so nice when a cookbook is fun and accessible to bake from. Agree with you about Claire, so talented (and, nice!) 🌸🍰

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Loved this! And the cake at the top looks delicious. However, I'm not sure I'd call any street in that part of Hackney quiet, though it might have been when she first opened...!

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Thanks, Rachel, Can’t wait to get the book! Have you been to Violet? I read more about Hackney after your comment and it does sound bustling!

That cake in the photo looks gorgeous, I agree! 🌸🍰

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No! The only time they got over there they were out of cake - I'd prioritised the Columbia Road Flower Market first but I've heard such fantastic things.

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Such a sweet post. Fantastic

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With a sweet ending, too!

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Thank you, Amie!

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Just what I need!

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Thank you so much, George.

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Delicious article, thanks

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This is wonderful Jolene. I didn’t know about Andy Warhol’s earlier writings. I may have to get the set! Thanks and I adore you❤️ Mag

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Thanks, Mag! Love you back! ❤️ definitely get the set, so gorgeous!

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