Subject: Picky Eater Article
Jolene Thym writes a syndicated column in the food section for the San Jose Mercury, Oakland Tribune, etc...
Here's her review of "The Traveling Soup Pot" by Mary Chamberlin.
SO I'M MINDING my own business, cooking up four days worth of meals in a single day—I want to eat healthy, tasty foods every day, not just on those days that I have the time to cook—and there's a knock at the door. I am so busying sauteeing over a blazing flame that I can't even stop to see who is there. Minutes later, a daughter shows up stove-side with a cookbook "The Traveling Soup Pot" by Mary Chamberlin—and a container of utterly fresh, buttery, creamy crab soup. It's so ridiculously rich that I crave a fresh sourdough baguette to sop up every last drop. I'm also so intrigued that I dive into the book at the first possible chance.
The book, a self-published masterpiece by a Carmel-based trained chef, is a gem. It is filled with enchanting stories, and has so many tempting recipes that I can't wait to round up ingredients and try them out.
As it turns out, Chamberlin is the National Representative of the grandchild of THE Escoffier, Chamberlin has made at least 140,000 servings of soup, has studied at the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in France and earned a certificate from La Varenne, also in Paris. She's the current president of Les Dames d'Escoffier, Monterey Bay Chapter—and she ran the best deli in all of Fremont for many years; Mission Deli.
But I digress. Back to the book. It's a bit old-school in appearance, but the recipes...Ribollita, Tortellini Soup, Crab & Brie Soup, Asparagus Soup, Portuguese Soup. I love the little stories that precede the recipes, giving a bit of history as to the origin of the recipe.
My impression is that this is no ordinary cookbook. It's a collection of secret recipes to be made and shared and treasured. If you have a passion for sharing food, you need a copy.
Santa Cruz Good Times
Wednesday, 26 June 2013 08:50 Josie Cowden Dining – Wine Reviews
Mary Chamberlin’s Cookbook—“The Traveling Soup Pot”
I will never forget having dinner at renowned chef Mary Chamberlin’s house in Carmel in 2009. A friend had invited me to see Julie & Julia, the comedy-drama movie about Julie Child, and then to a Julia Child-themed dinner in Chamberlin’s spacious abode. Not only did Chamberlin make the best French onion soup I have ever eaten, but she prepared enough for around 100 people. Her “dream kitchen,” as she calls it, was featured in Better Homes and Gardens magazine, so guests who didn’t fit into the dining room and elsewhere were very happy to eat in the place where she prepares her culinary wonders. The cookbook is a journey through many lands—with soup recipes from close to 20 countries. A foreword by Michel Escoffier, great-grandson to perhaps the world’s most innovative chef, Auguste Escoffier, highly recommends Chamberlin’s book—and that says plenty right there. Visit marychamberlincookbooks.com for information.
Marion
Hi Mary,
Your magic is everywhere! You are part of the kitchen and mealtimes in millions of homes! You are still fabulous.
Come visit me, and we will just SIT and GAB.
XXOO Marion
Robert
Dear Mary,
I can’t thank you enough for your book and your note. It is without a doubt the most unique cookbook I have ever seen and one of the most thoughtful gestures I’ve received. Anthony and Leila could not stop singing your praises; I assume you left an outstanding impression on them because I rarely receive a synopsis of their encounters with such energy. Without coming off as an apple-polisher I have to say, you defiantly have a gift for combining culinary utility and writing. I love the format and the recipes are superb! I can’t thank you enough, passion in ones efforts is a rarity these days and it’s delightful to see it objectively. The gesture certainly will leave not only an impression but inspiration as well.
Thank you again and Happy Cooking!
Robert
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Midwest Book Review
"The Traveling Soup Pot" is a master's collection of delectable international soup recipes inspired and influenced by Chef Mary Chamberlin, along with her husband, Captain Roy Chamberlin and the legenday Michel Escoffier, decendant of Auguste Escoffier, also known as "the King of Chefs and the Chef of Kings". Here are over 100 imaginative soup recipes from global sources, arranged by area of origin. We have Mock Bird's Nest Soup from China, Alan Wong's Red & Yellow Tomato Soup from Hawaii, Chicken Mulligatawny Soup from India, Portugese Fish Stew, Swedish Soup with Dumplings, Lobster Bisque and Crabmeat & Brie Soup from France, Chilled Vichyssoise from England, Irish Stew, Leek & Potato Soup from Wales, chilled soups, Island Soups, Mexicali Tortilla Soup, and finally Clam Chowder New California style, and many more from the American continent and others of hybrid or mixed origins. recipes are divided into chapters based on origin, or type, such as chilled soups. An interesting 10th cahpter offers "From Hobo to Must Go Soups," a combination of upscale versions of Hobo Stew, Mulligan Stew, and leftover miracle worker soup. Standard measurements and clear, step-by-step instructions make these fabulous soups accessible to all. A bit of culinary history is woven into each recipe, fascinating details that make the experience of offering of "The Traveling Soup Pot" all the more savory. Here indeed are fabulous gourmet and comfort food classic soups for every taste and budget. This edition is also spectacularly presented, with a special illustration of a Ford Tri-Motor airplane from the Roaring 20's on the cover, carrying a wandering, giant covered soup pot! Colored photos also decorate the chapters and further inspire the gourmet soup chef, amateur or not.
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Midwest Book Review #2
Dear Publicist:
I'm very pleased to inform you that the May 2013 issue of our library newsletter "Wisonsin Bookwatch" features "The Traveling Soup Pot, A Savory Journey Through Many Lands". A tear sheet is enclosed for your records.
This review also appears in the May 2013 issue of our online book review magazine "Internet Bookwatch"; and has been posted with the Thomson-Gale interactive CD-ROM series "Book Review Index" which is published four times yearly for academic, corporate, and public library systems. Additionally, this review will be archived on our Midwest Book Review website for the next five years at www.midwestbookreview.com.
Incidntally, although our bylaws prohibit accepting money from authors or publishers (in order to avoid any conflict of interest issues), we did amend it to allow authors and publishers who wanted to make a gesture of support and appreciation for what we try to do here at the Midwest Book Review in behalf of the small press community to donate postage stamps "for the cause". So if you'd like to donate some postage stamps to the Midwest Book Review, feel free (but not obligated!)
I look forward to your next title!
Sincerely,
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
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