Julia’s Musings
Julia's Musings on the Motivation for Her New Book...
Step aside, cupcake! The decorated cookie has arrived!
Don’t get me wrong. I love cute cupcakes as much as the next baker, but can we be frank? They’ve hogged the spotlight for far too long, don’t you think?!
The present of a lovely decorated cookie is truly transcendent. We all know this instinctively. We bask in its fragrance as it takes shape in the oven. We ooh and ahh over the icing artfully laid on its top. We smile as its buttery crumbs caress our tongues. It’s a rare gift that not only tickles the fancy and teases the palate, but satisfies all the way to the heart.
What?! You say I’ve got a soft spot for cookies? I won’t deny it. It comes from years of cookie-decorating fun with my sibs under the supportive tutelage of my mom. Each Christmas we donned her frilly June Cleaver-esque aprons and tried our darnedest to outdo one another with the cleverest cookie design. Even when disfigured cutouts or errant icing blobs foiled our plans, we earned Mom’s unswerving praise—and, better yet, the excuse to eat our mistakes.
Warm and fuzzy memories aside, cookies are practical and infinitely adaptable, too. Dough can be made ahead, frozen, and then cut and baked when you’ve got the spare time. Cookies can be top-coated, flocked, stenciled, marbled, rubber-stamped, stacked, and arranged into countless 3-D designs. And once baked and decorated, cookies have the advantage of a relatively long shelf life. If you’ve poured your heart and soul into a fabulously decorated treat, it only makes sense that you should be able to admire it for a few days without it going stale or bad, right?
Okay, yes, a part of me hopes that Ultimate Cookies will spur the next crazy baking trend. But my bigger aim is to share my joy of cookie decorating and all the tools needed to bring this joy more completely into your life. If you smile while turning the pages, then I’ll smile, too, knowing that Ultimate Cookies struck a chord with you.
Live life sweetly, Julia M. Usher
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Now available in bookstores nationwide!
Ultimate Cookies Book Jacket
Photo by Steve Adams
Name Dropper, An Ultimate Cookies Project
Photo by Steve Adams
Julia M. Usher’s Ultimate Cookies
By Julia M. Usher | Photographs by Steve Adams
Buy Now
Look Inside (also, to the right!)
Julia’s Musings on Her Book
Move over, cupcake! It’s time for cookies to share the spotlight! With over 40 wildly creative cookie projects and 20 tempting cookie and icing recipes, Julia M. Usher’s Ultimate Cookies proves that cookies can be every bit as show-stopping as cupcakes. In the course of five themed chapters, learn how to make edible jewelry, caterpillars and lizards, Christmas snow globes, Easter baskets, jack o’ lantern votives, and even breakfast in bed with fried eggs, orange slices, and bacon! Young or old, male or female, beginner or decorating whiz, you will find plenty of projects to sweeten your life and every occasion throughout the year.
Step-by-step instructions and nearly 300 carefully illustrated photos make each project as doable as it is inspirational. And whether you’re top-coating, marbling, or rubber-stamping a cookie, Julia’s comprehensive discussion of 15 decorating techniques and other cutting and construction tips will instantly put you at ease!
So what are you waiting for? Delve into a world of cookie magic, with Julia as your expert guide in the making of perfect cookie masterpieces!
- $24.99
- 272 pages
- Full-color with 290 photographs
- 9 x 10 inches
- Paperback with flaps
- 978-1-4236-1934-5
- November 2011
- Gibbs Smith, Publisher
Publicity Contact:
Ron Longe, Media Masters Publicity
ron@mmpublicity.com
101 West 104th Street #8
New York, New York 10025
Office: 212-866-2906
Cell: 917-312-5571
Lounge Lizard
Photo by Steve Adams
Snow Globes
Photo by Steve Adams
Snake Charmer
Photo by Steve Adams
Pendant Perfect
Photo by Steve Adams
Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year
By Julia M. Usher | Photographs by Steve Adams
Cookie swaps aren’t just for Christmas anymore! Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year shows that the cookie swap is perfectly suited not only to holiday gatherings, but also to garden parties, bridal showers, children’s birthdays, summer get-togethers, and more. A cookie swap has all the same traits that make a potluck so effortless to host. Plus, the idea of a party all about cookies is simply irresistible, no matter what the season!
As talented baker Julia M. Usher reveals, cookies are infinitely adaptable to different party themes and times of year, resulting in scores of delightful possibilities. Among Cookie Swap’s eight parties are a kids’ summer bash, with Lemonade Slices and Chocolate Chip Watermelon Wedges; a spooky Halloween fest, featuring Witches’ Fingers and Friendly Ghosts; and a classic Christmas swap with Hot Buttered Rum Meltaways, Cranberry-Pistachio Biscotti, and Eggnog Cheesecake Streusel Bars.
With dozens of invitation and favor ideas, over 50 delectable recipes, and tips galore on hosting the best swap possible, Cookie Swap makes it easy to warm guests’ hearts simply by sharing. And with 100 color photographs to 160 pages, the book thoroughly captivates with its delicious and abundant imagery.
Better yet, Cookie Swap has as much substance as it has panache. It strikes a timely and resonant chord by showing readers how to create one-of-a-kind events - all without breaking the bank or enlisting high-priced caterers or party designers. Cookie Swap is affordable inspiration that puts sweetness at the center of every event.
- $19.99
- 160 pages
- Full-color with 100 photographs
- 9 x 10 inches
- Paperback with flaps
- 978-1-4236-0378-8
- August 2009
- Gibbs Smith, Publisher
Publicity Contact:
Ron Longe, Media Masters Publicity
ron@mmpublicity.com
101 West 104th Street #8
New York, New York 10025
Office: 212-866-2906
Cell: 917-312-5571
Sugar Buzz, The Quarterly Newsletter of Recipes for a Sweet Life
Sugar Buzz extends my site Recipes for a Sweet Life into my other heartfelt passion - the sugary terrain of baking and pastry - with regular recipes, decorating tips, and favorite kitchen finds. Here, you’ll find all of my past newsletters and assorted other email greetings. Feast on what you find! (Note: Newsletters prior to Spring 2012 are best viewed in Chrome.)
Fall 2009, Volume 1
Feature - Cookie Stenciling Made Simple
Holiday 2009, Volume 2
Feature - The Meaning Of Christmas . . . Cookies?
Winter 2010, Volume 3
Feature - An Easy Aphrodisiac
Spring 2010, Volume 4
Feature - Shortbread Spring Bonnets
Summer 2010, Volume 5
Feature - Recipes That Span The Seasons
Holiday 2010, Volume 6
Feature - Usher Christmas Classics
Spring 2011, Volume 7
Feature - A Gift From The Garden
Summer 2011, Volume 8
Feature - Herbal Essence
Halloween 2011 Greeting
Ultimate Cookies Has Arrived!
Thanksgiving 2011 Greeting
Ultimate Cookies Book Tour Kicks Off!
Winter 2011-2012, Volume 9
Feature - Cinnamon Heart Marshmallows
Spring 2012, Volume 10
Feature - Celebrating the Everyday
ALSO - new and improved newsletter format!
Special Edition, April 2012
Community Cookie Decorating Contest Results Are In!
Sugar Buzz - Serves the News Up Sweet!
Photos by Julia M. Usher, Steve Adams, and Karen Forsythe
Sugar Buzz Entry
This is where sample newsletters would go.
Spring 2012
March 22 | 12:00pm-2:00pm
Gather, in conjunction with Essex Books, Ivoryton, CT
104 Main Street, 860-767-1707
Cookie decorating demo, cookie chat, and book signing
March 25 | 2:00pm-4:00pm
The Dudley Farm, North Guilford, CT
2351 Durham Road, 203-457-0700
Afternoon tea, cookie decorating demo, and book signing; $5 admission fee, books sold separately; RSVP required
March 26 | 4:00pm-5:00pm
Guilford Free Library, Guilford, CT
67 Park Street, 203-453-8282
Cookie decorating chat and book signing
April 1 | 1:30pm-4:30pm
IACP Book & Blog Festival, New York, NY
82 Mercer Street, 646-358-4957
Cookie decorating chat and book signing with nearly 100 other food writers. An event made for cookbook lovers!
April 14 | 12:00pm-2:00pm
Red Lead Paperworks, Saint Louis, MO
27 North Gore Avenue, 314-962-0433
Meet and greet, rubber-stamping technique demo, and book signing
May 3 | 6:00pm-7:00pm
Omnivore Books, San Francisco, CA
3885A Cesar Chavez Street, 415-282-4712
Meet and greet with book signing
May 5 | 2:00pm-3:30pm
Pans on Fire, Pleasanton, CA
310B Main Street, 925-600-7267
Hands-on cookie decorating class and book signing
May 6 | 11:00am-1:00pm
Draeger’s, San Mateo, CA
222 East 4th Avenue, 650-685-3704
In-store cookie decorating demo and book signing
May 7 | Private Event: 11:00am-12:30pm; Public Event: 12:30pm-2:00pm
Mission College, Santa Clara, CA
3000 Mission College Boulevard, free2bposey@yahoo.com
Cookie decorating demo and book signing, opens to the public at 12:30pm
Winter 2011
November 29 | 6:30pm-9:30pm
Cook’s Warehouse, Atlanta, GA
Store location TBD
Hands-on/demo holiday cookie decorating class and book signing
December 3 | 11:00am-2:00pm
Kitchen Conservatory, Saint Louis, MO
8021 Clayton Road, 314-852-2665
Hands-on/demo holiday cookie decorating class and book signing
December 4 | 12:00pm-1:00pm central
Sweet Talk #5: An online cookie decorating chat with Julia
COMING SOON: Login information here
December 5 | 6:00pm-9:00pm
Schnucks Cooks, Des Peres, MO
12332 Manchester Road, 314-909-1704
Hands-on/demo holiday cookie decorating class and book signing
December 7 | 4:00pm-7:00pm
6 North Café, Ballwin, MO
14438 Clayton Road
Cookie talk and book signing
December 8 | 7:00pm-8:30pm
Left Bank Books, Saint Louis, MO
321 North 10th Street, 314-367-6731
Cookie talk, demo, and book signing
December 10 | 2:00pm-3:30pm
Pudd’nhead Books, Webster Groves, MO
8157 Big Bend Boulevard, 314-918-1069
Cookie talk, kid’s decorating demo, and book signing
December 13 | 12:00pm-1:30pm
The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, Winnetka, IL
811 Elm Street, 847-446-8880
Cookie talk and book signing
December 14 | 4:00pm-6:00pm
Tipsy Cake, Chicago, IL
1944 N. Damen Avenue, 773-384-4418
PRIVATE EVENT: For Chicago Gourmet members, high tea, cookie decorating demo, and book signing
December 15 | 6:00pm-8:00pm
The Book Cellar, Chicago, IL
4736-38 N. Lincoln Avenue, 773-293-2665
Cookie tasting and book signing as part of “Sip and Shop” Month
December 17 | 1:00pm-2:00pm
A Thyme for Everything, Lee’s Summit, MO
229B SE Main Street, 816-554-3755
Cookie talk, demo, and book signing
December 18 | 12:00pm-1:00pm central
Sweet Talk #6: An online cookie decorating chat with Julia
COMING SOON: Login information here
February 11 | 3:15pm-4:30pm
The Cookbook Conference, New York, NY
Roger Smith Hotel, 501 Lexington Avenue, 800-445-0277
Panel discussion about reaching consumers through author tours and online
February 14 | 7:00pm-8:00pm
Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM
4022 Rio Grande Boulevard Northwest, 505-344-8139
Cookie decorating chat, show-and-tell, and book signing
February 17 | 2:00pm-4:00pm
Roosevelt County Fairgrounds, McAllister Room, Portales, NM
705 East Lime Street, 575-356-4417
Cookie decorating demo and book signing
February 18 | 3:00pm-6:00pm
Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe & Cooking School, Santa Fe, NM
181 Paseo de Peralta, 877-229-7184
Hands-on cookie decorating class and book signing
March 15 | 7:00pm-9:00pm
Annunciation Church, Nicholson Hall, Newburyport, MA
7 Harris Street, 978-465-5757
Cookie decorating demo, community bake-off, and book signing
March 17 | 11:00am-2:00pm
Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Cambridge, MA
2020 Massachusetts Avenue, 617-354-2020
Hands-on cookie decorating class and book signing
March 18 | 2:00pm-4:00pm
Private Event, Burlington, MA
Cookie talk, neighborhood cookie swap, and book signing
Check out Julia’s spring lineup, too. She’s got more events planned on the East Coast and in California!
Fall 2011
October 8 | 12:00pm-1:00pm central
Sweet Talk #1: An online cookie decorating chat with Julia
COMING SOON: Login information here
October 22 | 12:00pm-1:00pm central
Sweet Talk #2: An online cookie decorating chat with Julia
COMING SOON: Login information here
November 6 | 12:00pm-1:00pm central
Sweet Talk #3: An online cookie decorating chat with Julia
COMING SOON: Login information here
November 17 | 1:00pm-2:00pm
Macy’s Herald Square, New York, New York
151 West 34th Street (34th & Broadway), 646-429-7402
Cookie decorating demo, tasting, and book signing
November 17 | 6:30pm-8:00pm
Chef Central, Paramus, New Jersey
240 Route 17 N, 201-576-0100
Cookie decorating demo and book signing
November 18 | 4:00pm-6:00pm
Elm Street Books/Kitchens by Deane, New Canaan, CT
189 Elm Street (Kitchens by Deane), 203-966-4545
Cookie decorating demo and book signing
November 19 | 1:00pm-2:30pm
Breakwater Books, Guilford, CT
81 Whitfield Street, 203-453-4141
Book signing and tasting
November 20 | 9:00am-10:00am eastern
Sweet Talk #4: An online cookie decorating chat with Julia
COMING SOON: Login information here
November 20 | 1:00pm-3:00pm
Essex Coffee & Tea Company, in collaboration with Essex Books, Essex, CT
51 Main Street, 860-767-1707
Cookie decorating demo, tasting, and book signing
Stay tuned. Julia has more surprises in the works!
For the Love of Food:
Recipes and Stories from the
Chefs of the IACP
Contributor: Julia M. Usher
This book is not for those who merely like food. Nor is this book for those who simply appreciate food. No – this book is for those who love food!
A collaboration of chef-members of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP), For the Love of Food provides a unique glimpse into the heads and kitchens of some of the most creative and talented chefs in the world today. Contributors include Rick Bayless, Lidia Bastianich, Todd English, Charlie Trotter, and Julia M. Usher, among nearly 30 other leading culinarians. In addition to recipes, each chef generously shares memories and stories from his or her past that illuminate a common appreciation for the profound cultural and spiritual impact of food.
Julia lovingly recounts her remembrances of growing up in a 1798 farmhouse with an herb-happy mother who put her “favorite green things” into everything. Not surprisingly, Julia’s recipes highlight some of her mom’s most memorable herb pairings.
- $35
- 176 pages
- full-color with 62 photographs
- 9 x 11 inches
- hardcover
- 0-9764517-0-0
- 2005
To join IACP: visit www.iacp.com
Summer 2011
June 2 | 3:30pm-5:00pm
International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Annual Conference, Austin, TX
Austin Hilton, 500 East 4th Street
Bootstrapping a Book Tour: Tips to DIY on a Dime
Stay tuned. Julia has more surprises in the works!
Julia Living it Up at a Media Event
Photo by Susan Jackson
If you’re seeking more information about Julia for an interview or to promote a Cookie Swap or Ultimate Cookies event, you’re in the right spot! Here, you’ll find links to standard press kit materials – bios of various lengths, high res head shots, and book images – as well as sample recipes and other promotional materials to use as invitations, handouts, or posters.
Please, please heed the following housekeeping rules when using these materials:
- Images may be used in any promotional material, but the photographer indicated in the file name must be attributed. All images are copyrighted.
- Recipes are provided strictly for the purposes of preparing food for Julia’s events; they too are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or distributed without permission from Julia and her publisher.
Many Thanks to Julia’s 2011-12 Tour Sponsor
For additional information, contact:
Ron Longe, Media Masters Publicity
ron@mmpublicity.com
101 West 104th Street #8
New York, New York 10025
Office: 212-866-2906
Cell: 917-312-5571
