• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Rebel Chick

Miami Lifestyle Travel and Food - Jennifer Quillen

  • Food
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Style & Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Entertainment
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Pets
  • Beauty
  • Entertainment
  • Contact Me
  • eBay Store
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Food
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Beauty
    • Entertainment
    • Contact Me
    • eBay Store
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Entertainment

    Book Review: Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock Prado

    May 4, 2010 by Jenn Leave a Comment

    0 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Email
    • Reddit
    • Yummly

    One of the first things I did during my first week of unemployment was go to the local library branch and get a new library card. Its pretty high tech now. Self checkout and all!

    I didn't have a particular book in mind so I wondered over to the section where they showcase the new arrivals. I found a book right away - "Confections of a Closet Master Baker - One woman's sweet journey from Unhappy Hollywood Executive to Contented Country Baker." Now, this selection appealed to me for two reasons. One being that she had escaped the Hollywood life, whereas I had escaped Corporate America. The second being that she was also a baker. I wouldn't go so far as to say I am a Master Baker, but I certainly know my way around a Bundt pan. I was interested in what made her quit her job in the outside world and begin her life over, in a new direction, as I had.

    So I read. Her story is simple, really. She grew up with an appreciation and love for baking, and when she found herself unhappy in her Executive job, dealing with Hollywood jackasses, she quit. She bought a house in the country in Vermont. She baked macaroons to her heart's content. Then her famous sister mentioned her macaroons in a magazine article and she was shoved into the world of pastry shop owner by default. She tells the story of her youth, her connection to food, her family, and what it takes to run a bakery or pastry shop.

    Its an inspiring story. Honestly, if I hadn't already quit my job to stay at home, this book would have pushed me in that direction. Perhaps it will only appeal to bakers, but perhaps not. It was more than a baker's story. She talks about her childhood, her relationship with her mother and her mother's death, being the child of German culinary tradition, and her time in Europe to great extent. I was halfway through the book when I realized this chick was Sandra Bullock's sister. Funny, huh? She kept mentioning a famous sister named Sandy. That didn't even ring a bell. She mentioned 'While You Were Sleeping"...nope, still didn't catch my attention. The only reason I finally figured it out was one night when I picked up the book, I saw the last name, Bullock-Prado, and thought to myself, "that's funny, she has the same last name as Sandra Bullock". Yup, I'm about as sharp as a block of clay.

    Gesine has a way with writing. She loves to bake. She loves to talk about baking.There are passages in the book written so beautifully about pies, cakes, truffles, cookies and tarts that I can see them in my head, I can taste them. This is a woman who truly loves what she does.

    "And when I baked, the gentle sweetness and soft sponge of a well-made sticky bun soothed my growing bitterness at God and humanity."

    The next time you're at a book store, pick it up. You won't regret it! Its also available at Amazon.com and there's an E-book out there too. Also, since the release of the book, her shop has closed. But...you can buy her macarons online at her website Gesine's Confectionary. I just placed an order myself!

    P.S. I almost forgot to tell you, she has a blog too. And guess what is listed on her blog? Recipes. Lots and lots of recipes.

    More Entertainment

    • WIN The Smurfs: Season 1, Volume 3 on DVD #Giveaway
    • Get Star Trek: Prodigy: Season 1 Volume 1 On Blu-ray DVD Jan 3
    • How to Convert Your Garden Shed into a Playroom for the Kids
    • Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers
    0 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Email
    • Reddit
    • Yummly

    About Jenn

    Jenn, AKA "The Rebel Chick," is a single woman who strives to help her readers live their best lives possible. Whether it be through sharing new recipes, sharing her dating stories, or encouraging people to embrace adventure and travel, she aims to inspire people to live full, happy and authentic lives.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Hi, I'm Jennifer! I'm a Miami native and I love sharing easy dinner recipes, baking recipes, travel ideas and general Miami Lifestyle fun! Follow along for inspiration on how to make the most our of life!

    More about me →

    Recent Popular Recipes

    • Mini Charcuterie Box Ideas
    • Swapping To Healthy Snacks on a Budget: How to Snack Better
    • Valentine Bundt Cake Recipe: Bundt Cake vs Regular Cake
    • Valentines Chocolate Bark Recipe

    Archives

    Subscribe to The Rebel Chick Newsletter

    * indicates required

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for The Rebel Chick emails and updates, usually sent monthly or quarterly.

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Media Kit

    The Rebel Chick is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share-a-Sale, Commission Junction, Rakuten and LinkShare; affiliate advertising programs designed to allow me to earn advertising fees by advertising these affiliate links. 

    Copyright © 2023 · Jennifer Pridemore Quillen · All Rights Reserved TheRebelChick.com

    0 shares