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I cook out of necessity, and only because I don’t want my husband and young sons to starve. I’ve always been passionate about not cooking. Unfortunately, it can’t always be avoided.
The inspiration for "When I Cook, They Run," grew out of my aversion to cooking. I call myself the "Poster Mom for Home Meal Replacement." My motto is: "Enjoy and eat out often." So, in writing my first humor cookbook, I found a way to make the subject fun, a cure for my dislike of cooking and a new career all rolled into one. My dream of publishing a humorous cookbook started 10 years ago. It was a subject I felt passionate about, and I had a captive audience for my research. My
husband, and our sons, have endured all the miserable meals and supported my venture when other family members and friends thought I had lost my mind.
I quit my corporate career to pursue my dream of publishing "When I Cook, They Run." It led to the formation of a publishing company called Twenty12 Publishing. My son thought anything that was really huge in life was "Twenty12." As he explained, "It’s the biggest number I know." He would always ask, "Mom, is it Twenty12?"
I was fortunate to have many supporters. Special thanks go to Bob and Eileen Burick of Burick Communication Design, who designed a fantastic book cover, Web site and related merchandise. Frank Ybarra, an extraordinary artist, created the illustrations for the book’s cover and the merchandise. Rich Moore lent me my first computer eons ago and always wanted me to believe in and realize my dream. The Arizona Book Publishers Association was supportive in guiding me through the publishing process.
When I am not cooking up miserable meals, I’m a marketing consultant and PeerMentor on career and business issues. Previously I worked as Senior Director of Advertising and Promotions for a major airline. Airline food provided great inspiration and recipe ideas for my cookbook. Publishing "When I Cook, They Run," has far exceeded my dreams. I’ve appeared on national TV and on more than 100 radio shows across the United States and Canada. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting kindred cooks at book signings for major bookstores. And it was especially gratifying to receive the 1999 Independent Book Publishers’ Finalist Award for humor.
"So," you may ask, "are there any unfulfilled dreams?" Yes; I’d love to appear on the Rosie O’Donnell Show. If you want to let her know you’d like to see Karen Kallet on the show, I would be honored. (Rosie can be reached at www.rosieo.warnerbros.com/contact.)
In the meantime, have fun reading "When I Cook, They Run," and browsing the terrific selection of Miserable Meal merchandise.
Enjoy and eat out often.
Karen Kallet
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