Let me see if I can get this straight without having to make any telephone calls or ask any e-mail questions on a busy Saturday.
Carolyn Washburn wrote on her Twitter site that her husband has a new pizza cookbook on the market, and told readers how they could order it.
Washburn is the vice-president and editor of the Des Moines Register, our troubled daily newspaper.
I say "troubled" because all daily newspapers are troubled these days. Plummeting circulation, staff layoffs, political cartoonist fired and escorted to the door by security, wage freezes, unpaid furloughs for employees...you name it, the Register and other papers have it.
I don't know Carolyn Washburn at all. Never met the lady. All I know is what I read and hear about her.
The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal didn't like the way she handled the presidential debate when it was held in Des Moines, but Washburn -- like so many other newspaper people, other than David Yepsen -- shouldn't be expected to be Peter Jennings or Walter Cronkite and know anything about being a TV moderator.
I also know the Register retirees' group asked Washburn three times to be the speaker at its monthly lunches, and she was a no-show every time.
Oh, well. No doubt the girl was busy. For all I know, she'd called sports editor Bryce Miller on the carpet those days because he missed some high school scores again or was reaming him out because he screwed up the hard-hitting "In the Loop," or something else.
I think Carolyn was on the fast track with the Gannett Co., at least for a while. I don't know if Des Moines will be the place that does her in with the company or not.
But listen, this isn't about Carolyn Washburn. It's about her husband's pizza book.
Like I say, I first knew there was a Washburn book about pizza when I read Carolyn's Twitter message that said, "Blatant promo. Hubby's pizza cookbook is out. Order here, forward on. Sign up for a class. http://threesiblingsinthek."
Hey, nothing wrong with trying to help the old man sell a few cookbooks.
*
I've never used the word "hubby," but I guess that's short for husband. And I'm making a wild guess that Carolyn's husband's name is Perry, even though three members of the family are given credit for knowing their way around an oven and maybe even being contributors to "Pizza Night With Perry."
I found a website that told more about it:
"Three Washburns In The Kitchen
"About Me
*There are three of us in the Washburn family -- Kathryn Washburn Breighner, David Washburn, and Perry Washburn -- and we love to cook. We grew up in Boswell, Indiana and now live in Harbor Springs, Michigan, Des Moines, Iowa, and Bokeelia, Florida. As we play in the kitchen, we're chronicling our creations to share with each other and our family and friends."
*
Perry Washburn also wrote: "My pizza books have arrived!
"Pizza Night with Perry....24 recipes and 22 cooking class secrets in one little book
"From the promo material:
"'This amazing little pizza book is full of recipes and tips that will surprise and amaze your Pizza Night guests. Unique taste combinations include: Blueberry Portobello, Apple Prosciutto, Green Bean and Goat Cheese, Salmon Mango Rosemary and Perry's signature Maque Choux with Fresh Corn and Andouille Sausage. Born from creating countless Pizza Nights and teaching dozens of cooking classes, Perry brings you savory doughs, tangy and unusual sauces and unexpected toppings. This little book is a gem!'
"Price $20 each. If you are out of town, I will ship them for free. If you are near me, I will give you $5 off your next cooking class.
"Contact me: foodisfun@mchsi.com, or perry@perrywashburn.com.
"You can send me a check, or pay through PayPal:"
I'll tell you what, I could go for that Salmon Mango Rosemary anytime of the day or night. Forget me on the Andouille Sausage because I don't do sausage anymore, but I could also get interested in the Green Bean and Goat Cheese.
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Perry doesn't just write, he performs. The man holds cooking classes, and here's what he wrote about those:
"Perry's Cooking Classes!
"*foodisfun@mchsi.com
"*Perry Washburn, who taught a series of fun and delicious cooking classes in Boise, Idaho, is returning to the Des Moines, IA, area cooking class scene with his motto: Food is Fun!
"*Tuesday, May 12 (note the new date), Food is Fun! Perry takes a walk through Cajun country with Southern Gumbo, Jambalaya and Bread Pudding.
"*Monday, May 18 Food is Fun! Fish! Not Foul! Perry takes the mystery out of preparing fish, teaching you some basic preparation techniques, and some simple-yet-stunning sauces using oranges, lemons, capers, honey and more. You'll find out why Perry's kids LOVE fish!
"*All classes are $35. E-mail foodisfun@mchsi.com, or call (515) 537-4594 to schedule. 940 Brentwood Circle, Waukee, IA.
*Do you have a special dish or style of food you would like to learn? Would you like to schedule a lunch or day-time class? Need a festive class for a company gathering? Contact Perry! Almost anything is possible when Food is Fun!"
*
Memo to Perry: From one author to another, good luck on the book.
