Culinary Charisma

The campaign season may have concluded for a certain pair of weary politicians, but for the rest of us, some debates will never end. For example, is the crafting of the perfect pastry an art, a science, or like jazz a beautiful fusion of both? Mark Sopchak and Jenna Park of Whimsy & Spice have dedicated their considerable talents to uncovering the answer, and fortunately for the rest of us, the culinary runoff from their Brooklyn kitchen has been sufficiently delicious to render the question moot. Take the Espresso Brownie with Dulce de Leche, for instance. Theoretically, we could try to describe the perfect brownie: firm but springy, dense but a little cakelike, glisteningly moist and chocolate-sweet yet not quite as rich as fudge. Or, for time’s sake one could just take a bite of the aforementioned espresso-laden variety, because clearly this is how a brownie is supposed to taste.

Against the canvas of Sopchak’s passion for spices, the picture of what this company is all about becomes even clearer as concoctions tagged with irresistibly complex monikers such as Honey Lavender Shortbread Cookie and Chocolate Chili Cashew Biscotti reveal Park’s stylistic paradigm and set our minds to wondering what they’ll think of next. Meanwhile, the layered delight of the Hazelnut Chocolate Whisky Sandwich Cookie appeals to our multi-tasking instinct by combining multiple flavor favorites into one, while the marshmallows…well, let’s just say that anyone who knows how to make Homemade Caramel Marshmallows to perfection ought to have a cabinet post in the new administration. The Kitchen Cabinet, anyone? But whatever your persuasion, we don’t need a pollster to tell us you’ll love this: The winner of today’s giveaway will receive a package of Espresso Brownies, courtesy of Whimsy & Spice. To qualify, visit Whimsy & Spice, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/13/08.

**We have a winner! Aisling who said, "I can't pick a favorite, but I'd love to try the Chocolate Orange Cardamom shortbread cookies."**