A Recipe Book Born from Remembrance

For Caroline, memories of her mother, Jessica, extend beyond simple recollections. Following her mother’s passing, Caroline found solace in the shared experiences of others who had attended her mother’s workshops. The act of recreating Jessica’s recipes became a powerful way to keep her spirit alive. As Caroline poignantly stated, When my mother died, many friends and people who did the workshop sent photos of her recipes they made. Her kitchen creations live through, that’s nice to see.

“The Kitchen of Jes”: Preserving a Culinary Legacy

Caroline, along with her brother Willem, compiled Jessica’s cherished recipes into a cookbook titled The Kitchen of Jes, ensuring broader access to her culinary creations.The book encapsulates Jessica’s signature style, characterized by rich, Burgundian flavors. She was very Burgundian; used a lot of butter, sauces, meat and fish. They are chef-worthy recipes. Her fave was salmon and croûte. She always had a wine tip, as she was a vinologist. They are also in the book. This collection not onyl serves as a practical guide but also as a personal tribute to a mother’s passion.

A Personal touch: Recipes with a Story

Each recipe in The Kitchen of Jes carries a unique personal touch, reflecting Jessica’s lively personality.Caroline recalls, She had written out all the recipes herself in a pretty lively way. Such as,a stew recipe saeid: “Get the red pan out of the basement now.” I picked it up. That’s how we made it together. This intimate approach transforms the cookbook into a collection of shared memories, offering readers a glimpse into the warmth and connection that food can create.

The process of recreating these recipes was not always easy. Caroline shared,It brought me good luck when I made something of her,but I also had days when a recipe did not work. At those moments I really wanted to ask herself. That was challenging. These moments of challenge underscore the emotional depth of the project and the profound sense of loss experienced.

Grief, Healing, and the Power of Shared Experience

Creating the cookbook became an integral part of Caroline’s grieving process. She found comfort in having a tangible way to remember and celebrate her mother’s life. It is difficult that life goes on quickly when someone dies close. People ask less about it, which is logical.I enjoyed having a nice and not such a tough way to talk a lot about her with this book. The cookbook provided a channel for open communication and remembrance,offering a sense of connection amidst loss. Resources like Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss [[1]] [[2]] [[3]] frequently enough highlight the importance of validation and encouragement during the grieving process, something caroline’s project embodies.

Mother’s Day: A Time for Remembrance and Comfort

Caroline hopes that The Kitchen of jes will offer solace to others who have experienced similar losses, especially around emotionally charged occasions like mother’s Day. She emphasizes that Mother love does not disappear, not even if that person is no longer there. If I cook a dish of my mother for friends, it feels like I’m a piece of her part. Her warmth and love don’t go away. By sharing her mother’s recipes, Caroline aims to spread comfort and demonstrate the enduring beauty that can emerge from loss.

Supporting Alzheimer Nederland

All proceeds from the sale of The Kitchen of Jes will be donated to Alzheimer Nederland, an institution dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. This act of generosity transforms the cookbook into a powerful tool for both remembrance and charitable giving.