Hedgebrook Cookbook: Celebrating Radical Hospitality

Julie Rosten · Denise Barr

Sep 2013 · She Writes Press

About this ebook

Founded in 1988 by visionary philanthropist Nancy Nordhoff and writer Sheryl Feldman, Hedgebrook is a literary nonprofit that supports the work of visionary writers whose stories and ideas shape our culture—a writer’s retreat that hosts a global community of writers through residencies and programs exclusively dedicated to supporting the creative process of women writers. Each evening at Hedgebrook, residents gather in the kitchen to share a home-cooked meal lovingly prepared using ingredients from Hedgebrook’s own organic garden—nourishing their bodies as well as their spirits through the retreat’s unique approach to “radical hospitality”—and it is in this spirit that Hedgebrook created The Hedgebrook Cookbook. So delve into the mouth-wateringly good recipes from their farmhouse kitchen, gorgeous writing from their alumnae community, and stunning photos of their grounds and culinary creations—and let them bring the essence of radical hospitality from their table to yours.

About the author

JULIE ROSTEN is a native Seattleite, who moved to Whidbey Island 12 years ago to seek a lifestyle closer to nature. Educated in the arts, she has spent a lifetime fostering the creative efforts of those she meets. From providing art classes to children in the '80s, to opening a gallery showcasing young emerging artists in the '90s, to managing the private businesses of artists on the island, she has found her true calling as a guest chef at Hedgebrook nurturing the writers. Her palette is multicultural and her dishes are artfully prepared with the love and gratitude for everything that contributes to the meal: from the seed savers, farmers, ranchers, poultry women, fisherwomen, mushroom foragers and seaweed harvesters to the eaters that sit at her table. DENISE BARR has lived on Whidbey Island for fifteen years with her husband and their many inspiring animals. She has always been involved in the arts community, and for twenty-five years she has been teaching and creating jewelry with galleries throughout the western United States. Denise treasures the creative and nuturing environment that is Hedgebrook. As house chef for the past five years, she considers it an honor to prepare the meal and join the writers for dinner.