A food writer’s commentary
Lee speaks to the Time for Life organization in Richfield in a non-public gathering.
Lee speaks to the Time for Life organization in Richfield in a non-public gathering.
Cookies and hot cider while they last, as Lee and Rick tell the story of the Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest and how the judging took place, along with more tidbits about the competition and the resulting book, "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book." The event is in the lower level of the Mill City Museum, in the Baking Lab. The event is free, but admission to the museum is $15 for adults to $8 for children 5-17 (age 4 and under, free).
At the Minnesota Arboretum's "Farm at the Arb," Lee and Rick will demonstrate several winning cookies from their past years with the Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest. These include Cornmeal Cranberry Shortbread and Rosemary Lemon Creams. There will be more varieties to sample, as well. All the recipes are showcased in their new "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Contest." Note that the demonstration class is at the Myers Education Center at the Farm at the Arb, which has a separate entrance from the main Arboretum address. Cost is $75 for members; $95 for nonmembers and includes admission to the Arboretum. Registration is required at https://arb.umn.edu/learn/bakeology-cookie
Lee Svitak Dean and Rick Nelson will talk cookies and their 20 years with the Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest and its winning recipes, which are in the new "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book." Lee was a longtime resident of Plymouth. The event is free but registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/mszas89h or 612-543-5825.
There will be five new cookies to try -- and Rick Nelson and Lee with cookie books to sign -- at the 2025 Star Tribune Cookie Wonderland event at Southdale Shopping Center on Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. (until the cookies and books run out). Get there early! The recipes for the new winning cookie recipes will be in the Minnesota Star Tribune that day. Lee and Rick will be signing their new book about the contest, "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book."
Lee and Rick will be at the General Store of Minnetonka from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. to sign copies of "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book" and chat with bakers on Nov. 30. Drop by and say hello!
What could be better than a conversation with Angela Davis of MPR? A conversation that includes cookies! Lee and Rick join Angela at Minnesota Public Radio on Tuesday, Nov. 26, for a discussion of tradition, holiday cookies, baking and more. We will be ready for listener questions.
Lee and Rick will talk cookies and their new book, "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book," at the Barnes & Noble in the Galleria Shopping Center in Edina on Sat., Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. They have lots of stories to tell.
The tough interviewers at public TV's longtime political show, Almanac, grab aprons and join Lee and Rick in the kitchen as we talk (and demo) cookies from the new "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book" on Nov. 22, sometime between 7-8 p.m. on TpT (Channel 2) We anticipate it being at the latter half of the show.
Lee and Rick will talk cookies and their new book, "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book," at Magers & Quinn Booksellers on Wed., Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. Free but registration is requested.
Lee and Rick talk cookie traditions in the great state of Minnesota, along with stories from their new "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book" during the Norwegian Food Festival at Norway House, located on the Norway House block, on Nov. 16. The book is based on the two decades of the holiday cookie contest that Lee and Rick held on behalf of the Star Tribune's Taste section. The cookbook will be available for purchase. There will be plenty of cookies to sample for the event.
Lee and Rick talk about their favorite subject -- cookies! -- on Fox TV Thursday, Nov. 14, about 9:45 a.m.
Lee and Rick will talk cookies and their new book "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book," at the Talk of the Stacks event at the downtown Minneapolis Central Library on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. Star Tribune Books Editor Chris Hewitt will moderate the lively discussion. The free event is both in-person at the library's Pohlad Auditorium, or via Zoom. Reservations are required for both through the link below (https://www.supporthclib.org/MN-cookie-traditions). The cookie book will be available for purchase after the event.
Join Lee and Rick as they demonstrate making three cookies (Espresso Hazelnut Truffle Cookies, pictured here, and Rosemary Lemon Creams, and Cranberry Cornmeal Shortbread) from "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book" at Cooks/Bellecour St. Paul on Sunday, Nov. 10. Lee and Rick also will be telling stories about the Star Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest and their 20 years with the contest that resulted in their new book, as well as offering baking tips. Registration fee includes a copy of the book.
Need an election respite? Lee and Rick will be chatting with Jason DeRusha on WCCO Radio about cookies on Election Day. No election talk other than to elect to eat a cookie on this day! Listen in about 5:35 p.m.