It appears to be my year for exciting emails. You never know what little notes will be tucked away and unfurled as the days and months progress.
This one just in today:
Claudia Fleming: pastry chef extraordinaire, ex boss, mentor, friend, colleague, author and now owner, has done something one might only wish for with eyes clenched tight and hope pressed into elixir by will and might:
she has re-printed {<---- that link , if you click on it, will let you know how to get one} her incredible, hard to find out-of-print book, The Last Course.
And now,
you can buy it. Again.
-----> Want to tell her how you feel about this amazing hope of hope she's pulled off? Leave your comments here-- I'll be directing her to our words in a few days.
This is my most beloved pastry book. I was disappointed to learn a year or so ago that I might have to fork over 3 figures for another copy, and rued the day I chose not to buy a signed copy when dining at Gramercy Tavern. Claudia is a master. Her work is extraordinary without stepping into that ridiculous realm where so many pastry chefs go. It is pure elegance and flavor. Where can we buy this, and when?? I would like to buy many copies to share.
Hello Scooter! Click on the link "she has re-printed" and you will be brought to the North Fork Table & Inn's website. You may call or email her through the Inn and ask your question of her directly! Feel free to tell her how you found out about the great news... ~ Shuna
Posted by: Scooter | 28 July 2008 at 07:31 PM
Squee! What great news. We're going there for the weekend next month, for our anniversary, on your recommendation! I'll buy TWO copies.
Posted by: deb | 28 July 2008 at 10:10 PM
My roommate at the Culinary Institute of America ('02) externed at Gramercy Tavern with Claudia. Lucky me - for my birthday, she surprised me with a signed copy of The Last Course, fresh off the press!
The book is a bit tattered around the edges now, but I love it and treasure it. Her desserts are not only imaginative and beautiful to look at, but are timeless classics. Kudos to the re-print!!
Posted by: Yuko | 29 July 2008 at 02:37 AM
That is fantastic! I had the pleasure of meeting Claudia on an Oldways trip to Greece about ten (gulp!) years ago. Her desserts are just wonderful and I have a place on my cookbook shelves that has been waiting for The Last Course. Thank you Claudia! (And thank you Shuna for posting the info!)
Posted by: Mary | 29 July 2008 at 05:38 AM
oh Shuna, this is one lovely piece of news. someone was kind enough to write me down some of the recipes I wanted to try, but now it's available as a book, I'll buy it for sure.
xx fanny
Posted by: fanny | 29 July 2008 at 07:29 AM
Can we find it on Amazon or in Barnes and Noble stores? I had a copy but left with family in Jerusalem ); when I came to New York. And if so, do you know when it will available?
Hello Rosebud, Click on the link "she has re-printed" and you will be brought to the North Fork Table & Inn's website. You may call or email her through the Inn and ask your question of her directly! Feel free to tell her how you found out about the great news... ~ Shuna
Posted by: Rosebud | 29 July 2008 at 08:33 AM
How exciting!
Posted by: Alexis | 29 July 2008 at 10:35 AM
This is wonderful news! My copy is thoroughly tattered and spattered, and even more beloved because of those scars, so I'm thrilled that I can now share its joys with friends.
Among my favorites: Cornmeal-Nut Biscotti, Chocolate Brownie Cookies and (best of all) the incomparable Guinness Stout Ginger Cake.
Posted by: Cathy | 29 July 2008 at 08:35 PM
The Last Course is my favorite dessert cookbook. I paid $3-figures for it, thru Amazon, and it's worth EVERY penny. The book was originally owned by Worcester County Maryland Library (Ocean Pines Branch) and looks like it was never even opened!!.
I was turned on to Claudia's book by a young chef friend of mine (Jason Winters) who's now cooking his amazing food at Suzanne Goin's Lucques restaurant in LA.
This is a "must-have" book for any serious cook.
Where is Claudia working now?
Elliot! Thank you so much for adding your positive comments here. Want to eat her desserts in person? Check It. ~ Shuna
Posted by: Elliot Wassarman | 24 September 2008 at 04:06 PM
If anyone has seen the new reprinted one - how does the quality compare to the original version? I want to get a copy of this!
Posted by: Kristine | 04 December 2008 at 12:40 PM
This blog is great and has provided interesting and useful information. Thanks and I hope to see such information in the future as well.
Posted by: goedkoop verzekering | 17 March 2009 at 12:56 AM