The Cookies That Won the Cookie Party

Plus: David Lebovitz at Fish Cheeks, A Pistachio Rose Croissant, and Marcella Goes Viral.

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the lack of a Thursday newsletter last week! For those who’ve been tracking my non-newsletter exploits, I’ve spent the last year working on a novel and this weekend I finished the second draft (all 320 pages), which I sent to Craig on Sunday for his feedback and he’s now sitting behind me on the couch starting to read it. It’s kind of a nerve-wracking situation to be in, trying to write this newsletter while I wait for him to laugh at my funniest lines. Instead I think he just cleared his throat? What does that mean?

In any case, I’m excited to be writing to you again because last Thursday I went to the most high-stakes Christmas cookie party of my life. In this picture, you’ll see Food52 founder Amanda Hesser presenting her cookies to Cup of Jo founder Joanna Goddard.

I actually didn’t go into this cookie party thinking it was a competition, but about 3/4ths of way through, Joanna’s son Toby began rating the cookies. Some cookies earned the harsh review of “4 out of 10.” Others fared better with an “11 out of 10.” When I asked him to try mine, I catapulted to the top with his record-shattering review of “18 out of 10!”

Turns out, two other cookies got the “18 out of 10” treatment, so when I say I “won” the cookie party, I really tied for first place. But I bet you’re chomping at the bit to know which cookies I made and even more eager for the recipe.