I looked at other reviews here before I read the book, and I agree with many of the perceptions. One thing I found missing, was a her ability to add a sense of tactile response to what she cooks and how she smells and sees food and the world around her. She has an interesting way of remaining in her shell, no matter how hard people try and pull her out. For a person who enjoys cooking she doesn't describe it well, and she is a writer. Mathews provides a complete behind-the-scenes account of not only her participation in the Pillsbury Bake-Off, but also the fifteen minutes of fame that followed when she became a million dollar winner.The author is self-sheltered from pop culture (didn't know who Rosie O'Donnell was, much less that she had a TV show). She’s also frugal to the max, which at times became a bit annoying. But she does deliver a straightforward account of her process in developing palatable recipes and an interesting glimpse into the cooking contest process.I'd rate this book 3.5 stars if I could. It offers an interesting take on the cooking memoir genre.
Just didn't care for the author's style -- didn't pull me in. Might try again at another time.
—Dandylion
A really interesting and honest book. I will have to try to make the winning dish!
—cheema21
Fun book about how the author won the Pillsbury CookOff $1,000,000 prize.
—mana
Interesting but she seems almost too uppity for me.
—jl4221
Great title, pretty good book.
—Akichan
