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I started this blog in August of 2005 on a whim. Never could I have expected it to become such an important part of my life, both personally and professionally. In fact, for the first few years of blogging, I kept my identity here firmly hidden because I was sure the blog would remain nothing more than a little passion project. It is nearly impossible to remember what online life was really like in those days, but I'll always treasure the feeling of utter bliss of discovery and kinship I stumbled upon when I started blogging and found an entire community of like-minded people right on the other side of this screen. 

It is hard to quantify what this blog means to me, though if we're talking numbers, there are nearly 900 posts and almost 30,000 comments collected here. Thanks to The Wednesday Chef, I have written two books and have another on the way. I wrote a monthly food column for several years. I have made countless connections and friends for life. The person I used to be is captured here for posterity, as are the memories and sensations of my former life in New York and the early years of my life back in Berlin. This is the closest I ever came to keeping a real diary. Not only are many of my favorite and most beloved recipes gathered here, but so are countless dear and tender memories, like summers in Italy over the years, the wobbly transition from New York to Berlin, the early years of life with children, and the transformation I made from blogger to book author. Now it's time for me to finally put up the "Closed for Business" sign here, though the archives of The Wednesday Chef will stay on for as long as I have any say in the matter. 

You can subscribe to my newsletter Letter from Berlin at Substack now, either for free or with a couple varieties of paying options. Your support enables me to continue making a creative life. In the newsletter, I share recipes, of course, as well as deeper thoughts on books I'm reading, essays about family life and creativity, and inside peeks at the process of writing another cookbook. We can still connect in the comments there and I look forward to continuing the conversation we've been having for almost 18 years now.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who ever followed a link to find me online. You allowed me to make my dreams of being a writer become a reality. You have read along here and commented with wisdom and care and affection. You have come to my readings and events and bought my books and cooked my recipes. And you have connected to the stories I've told about the important people in my life and blessed me with your interest and kindness and appetite.

Thank you.

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52 responses to “It’s Time”

  1. Julia Avatar
    Julia

    While I am actually crying at this post–how fast and ephemeral life is! how we were all young once and experiencing the wobbliness of life together!-I am thrilled to continue to follow and subscribe on Substack. What will be next in ten years time? Thank you for everything and for keeping this up, or else I’d be frantically trying to figure out a way to save everything and all the recipes that have formed a backdrop in my own life.

    Like

  2. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Hi Luisa,
    I started reading your blog when I was 19 in 2007. I was visiting the US from New Zealand and staying at stepdads house in Colorado during a snowstorm and I googled a recipe for a ‘cosy’ dinner and your blog came up. I was enthralled and read the back catalogue and have followed your work ever since. I bought and loved My Berlin Kitchen and have cooked countless recipes from it, and your blog. Thank you for sharing your life. Wishing you all the very best with your creative endeavours xxx

    Like

  3. Letizia Avatar
    Letizia

    Wow, funny that you do this exactly on the day of my birthday. I randomly found your blog around 10 years ago when I moved to Berlin from NY myself. I lived a different life from yours bur in many ways similar, having children of similar ages, living in Charlottenburg and of course having a very similar palate to yours as I love all of the recipes you have posted here. Thank you for the chocolate banana bread which became a stable of our household (and we became Nigel Slatter fans for life thanks to it), thank you for the apple cake with no cinamon that my mom absolutely adores! Thanks for all the lovely food you inspired us to cook and have with friends and family elevating every dinner. I wish you all the very best for the next 10 years and beyond! Letizia

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  4. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    I think I’ve been reading your blog since 2006. Feels weird and so intimate from afar but I read about your ends in New York and your new life in Berlin at a time that I was doing the same, ending a relationship and a life in a place I’d always been and moving overseas and finding new love and new life and small children. Thank you for your writing. I’ll continue to follow from afar via substack.

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  5. Alanna Kellogg Avatar

    It’s hard to see another among the vanguard slip away but it’s not 2005 anymore either. What fun those early years were … all the best, you shall be missed.

    Like

  6. Sirena Avatar
    Sirena

    I’ve been reading your blog since the very first early days, Luisa! Alone with reading Clotilde, Adam and Derrick’s blogs, the first early days of the wild Wild West of food blogging. Your openness, beautiful writing and great recipes always kept readers like myself coming back and I’ve stayed a reader til this day! I love reading your newsletter and posts on social media and love following along as an avid home cook, multicultural/international household and mom of two young boys myself. Looking forward to your next cookbook and always sending you well wishes!

    Like

  7. Maartje Avatar
    Maartje

    Dear Luisa, thank you got everything you’ve poured into The Wednesday Chef, for sharing your writing and all those recipes with precision, heart, and soul. I read ‘My Berlin Kitchen’ when going through depression in my 20s and I still remember the couch I read it on and the music I listened to while reading. It was such a comfort.
    The zooms where you and Molly bake Christmas cookies have felt like warm blankets of community, especially during those times of social distancing.
    Thank you. Looking forward to the next couple of years (and to maybe one day be able to read that novel? 😉 no pressure ;-)).
    Kind greetings from The Netherlands

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  8. Rachel B Avatar
    Rachel B

    I’ve been a devoted reader since 2010, first of this lovely blog, then of your books, and now of your Substack. THANK YOU for everything you share with us – your recipes, of course, but also your worries and your joys and your reality and your life. And thank you for keeping the archives live, many of your recipes are an essential part of my rotation!

    Like

  9. Claire Liezen Avatar
    Claire Liezen

    Dear Luisa,
    My sister introduced me to your blog in 2010 or ‘11 and I’ve been a loyal reader ever since. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us over the years through this blog and now through Instagram and Letter from Berlin. I wish you all the best in your creative pursuits!

    Like

  10. Abby Avatar
    Abby

    Writing this while a pot of ‘meatballs for new mothers’ simmers on my stove; I’ll package them up and drop them with a new mama this evening. Thank you for all of these years and stories and recipes (and particularly for the meatballs, my most-requested delivery). Happy to stick with you at Substack and beyond; congratulations for ending things well here.

    Like

  11. A Avatar
    A

    Thanks for keeping the site up. I’m still clinging to my RSS reader/feeds and can’t seem to make the switch to newsletters. Email is overwhelming to me. Thank you for posting here one last time. I thought you might like to know my most-made recipe from your site: Alice Medrich’s cocoa brownies. They are my go-to brownies!

    Like

  12. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    Luisa, I can’t remember how I stumbled on your blog circa 2008, but I do remember the first recipe I made from it – the Amanda Hesser lemon chicken-SO good, and now a repeat player in my repertoire. I became a devoted reader and (completely bizarre and random) later discovered via some junk mail that you had briefly lived in my apartment in Brooklyn. I’ve enjoyed your blog, your books and your instagram feed for years and will be excited to see what you do next!

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  13. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    I will miss the blog with recipes immensely, and I do remember so fondly those earlier days of your life in Berlin. I read your first book while living in Frankfurt and have followed you through my moves to Malaysia, Greece, back to the U.S. and now Bangkok! I treasure your cookbook as a resource of German baking, as during my time in Frankfurt I was never able to achieve my goal of finding somebody to teach or just give me those classic recipes. I have been baking my way through the book for several years now, and love those holiday cookies zooms! Thanks again, you have really brought to life one of my favorite cities in the world.

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  14. Luisa Avatar

    Thank you so much for being here all these years xoxo

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  15. Luisa Avatar

    Oh, how lovely to hear how you found me. Thank you!

    Like

  16. Luisa Avatar

    Happy birthday! My mother’s name is Letizia, so I’m particularly tickled by the idea that there’s another Letizia out there living in Berlin who has a similar story to mine, how lovely. xo

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  17. Luisa Avatar

    Thank you, dear Hannah.

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  18. Luisa Avatar

    Things have changed so much, haven’t they? What a special time. And yet we adapt again and again…

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  19. Luisa Avatar

    Oh, those lovely long-ago days! I have always loved seeing your name pop up in the comments. Thank you so much for reading all these years. xox

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  20. Luisa Avatar

    I’m so touched that my writing has comforted you. Thank you for reading and your encouragement…and yes, hopefully one day that novel!

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  21. Luisa Avatar

    Thank you so much.

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  22. Luisa Avatar
  23. Luisa Avatar

    So happy to hear about those meatballs popping up everywhere! Truly warms my heart. Thank you.

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  24. Luisa Avatar

    Oh I get it! You can get my newsletter in your RSS reader, just follow this link – http://luisaweiss.substack.com/feed
    Let me know if it works! I love those brownies – they are my family’s favorite, too.

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  25. Luisa Avatar

    I LOVED that recipe so much. And how funny that we shared apartments!! Small world. The studio with the tiny bedroom alcove? I only lived in Brooklyn for 6 months and it was during a very awful and stressful time so I have not great memories of it, but that apartment was super cute!

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  26. Luisa Avatar

    Thank you so much!

    Like

  27. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Thank you so much for all your writing over the years. I have followed your life as I also grew up and had two children at a similar time, though mine are both girls. Your writing over the pandemic made me feel connected to someone going through the same thing with two young children. I was just reading through your posts feeling sad and then realized that without knowing it I have already shifted to reading your writing through Instagram, substack and your wonderful books. I just made your sour cherry crumb cake the other day. I will miss you here but am excited to see what you do elsewhere.

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  28. A Avatar
    A

    It worked! Thank you! I have added The Women in Black to my long reading list.

    Like

  29. Esvee Avatar
    Esvee

    Wow, Luisa! I just finished reading all these comments and am struck by how familiar and connected everyone seems. Your voice is old and comfortable – I found you in 2006, and your recipes and blog posts were part of my life in a really real way! Strange but not strange how I feel that I know you…
    Some favorites from your blog:
    Russ Parson’s zucchini with mint and lemon is a mainstay in our family as soon as the zucchini arrives
    Naomi Duguid’s Coconut Banana Bread! I’ve made it mine over the years with more coconut and rum. It’s a frequent gift to friends with new babies (inspired by your experience with this loaf I suppose). It also helped me raise close to $1000 back in 2019 to send to the DNC to get Biden elected! (Major bake sales that year…)
    Thank you for everything, and best of luck to you!

    Like

  30. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    I think I found your blog after coming across “Classic German Baking.” I followed up by reading “My Berlin Kitchen,” and I can’t wait to check out your next book. I love your writing. I revisited your post on Baked Chicken with Dijon mustard so many times when trying to imagine how on earth I’d structure my cooking life during the spring and summer of 2020– and, for what it’s worth, your posts during that time made me feel a little less crazy. Thank you for your work here, which always inspires me to make something nourishing, and enjoy the process. I’ll miss this little corner of the internet, but will be back many times to revisit old favorites.

    Like

  31. Sam Avatar
    Sam

    Oh, I have missed your blog & I will keep missing it! I have been reading & cooking along for 15 years. The poppyseed cake is a big favorite of ours, but nothing beats the blueberry buckwheat pancakes from a few years ago! When my husband and I adopted a 5 year old, making those pancakes became our grounding morning ritual for the first wobbly months as a new family. However rough the night before and whatever might be coming during the day, we started by cooking those pancakes together with the same record on. Our little one (proudly!) learned to crack eggs, measure, pour, stir & watch intensely for little bubbles to form on the top. We still make the pancakes at least once a week – they are the best & they are so dear to us.

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  32. Luisa Avatar

    Thank you Emily. xo

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  33. Luisa Avatar

    Oh, I loved those recipes! I’m so happy to feel so connected to so many people out there. 🙂

    Like

  34. Luisa Avatar

    Thank you! And yes, please visit! 🙂

    Like

  35. Luisa Avatar

    We make those almost every weekend, they are our boys’ favorites. It’s so lovely that your little one likes to help in the kitchen! 🙂

    Like

  36. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Your writing and recipes are a joy!
    Looking forward to your next book
    Jen

    Like

  37. Ruth F. Avatar
    Ruth F.

    I so love your writing and the evolution of the stories (and (have put many of these recipes in permanent rotation). THANK YOU LUISA. Can’t wait for the new book(s)!🌻🗽❤️❤️

    Like

  38. Kendra A. Avatar
    Kendra A.

    My introduction to your blog was the Melissa Clark Roasted Broccoli with Shrimp recipe, which I thought I found through Orangette but can’t find it there so maybe it was just a Google search? The Word Doc I saved is dated January 2010, wow! It’s in very regular rotation still!
    My grandmother grew up in Charlottenburg and I have loved reading about your life in Berlin. I also appreciate your perspective on the US from a distance. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the recipes, the book recommendations, and the beautiful writing. Add me to the list of folks excited to read your novel some day (and your Substack in the meantime!).

    Like

  39. Thisamericanplate Avatar

    I’m so moved by your heartfelt message, Susan! I’ve been a longtime follower of The Wednesday Chef, and it’s been an absolute delight journeying with you through your recipes and stories. Your blog has been more than a simple collection of posts to me; it’s been a comforting and inspiring space where I’ve learned so much, not only about food but about life and resilience.
    Your transformation from blogger to author has been incredible to witness. The richness and honesty in your writing, combined with your captivating recipes, have truly touched my heart. Your passion for food and life has always shone brightly in each post, making your blog a truly special place to visit.
    Congratulations on this new chapter with “Letter from Berlin.” I am positive that it will be as engaging and enriching as The Wednesday Chef has been. Please know that you carry with you a community that has grown to appreciate your wisdom, your stories, and, of course, your recipes. We will continue to support and cheer you on in this next step of your journey.
    Thank you for the years of sharing and connection. Here’s to more delightful recipes, insightful stories, and meaningful conversations in your newsletter. We’ll be eagerly waiting on the other side of the screen, as always. All the best, Susan!

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  40. Brianne Avatar

    Luisa, I found you sometime around 2011, or maybe it was earlier … I’d been a newspaper editor occasionally working on the Wednesday Food Section (“Flavor,” is was called), so I instantly adored the “Wednesday chef” name. Your writing and your recipes are a joy, a special corner of the Internet. Two favorites I turn to again and again are Jean’s butternut squash (the toast recipe, but I make your pasta variation with ricotta; on a great day, it’s easy ricotta homemade from a SK recipe) and The Best Roasted Vegetables Ever (which are truly a revelation).
    When “My Berlin Kitchen came out, I had moved from the U.S. to Stuttgart, so it felt especially sweet to read about the experience of America and Germany from a another woman in love in a single wonderful book. And then we both had kids, so I got to read about parenting through your eyes, too, which was always a relief. I appreciate every one of those posts acutely. The hard and the joyful parts both feel better when you know you aren’t alone in them.
    I’ve been reading your Substack now and enjoying it (yay for book recs, too! and yay for subscriptions!), but I’m glad this site will stay up an archive. Thank you for sharing your recipes and (bits of) your life with us. Like Deb, you feel like a friend on the Internet, even though we’ve never met.

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  41. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    I just found your blog after Googling “how to become a cookbook editor.” Your post about your career and life path was lovely to read. I loved your tone and energy so much, and quickly read the beautiful posts about your wedding, and the birth of both children.
    And then I found this post. Blogs are so interesting— they sort of exist in the perpetual now. So I actually was happy to see that this post was made in April of this year (and not ten years ago).
    I love to cook and read, and I’m looking forward to spending time with your writing 🙂

    Like

  42. Ingrid King Avatar

    Thank you for all you’ve done here. I’m so glad I discovered you years ago (I don’t even remember how). I loved meeting you at a book signing for the baking book. That book has brought me so much joy, both in making some of the recipes, and in taking a trip down memory lane to my childhood and young adult years in Germany. I can’t wait for your new book and hope to see you again on a book tour!

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  43. Becca Avatar
    Becca

    Your blog has been meaningful to me for so so many years. The ottolenghi Christmas spice cookies are part of my family culture now. So many delicious recipes and beautiful words that you have shared! Thank you for the love and the work and the time you’ve poured into this space–it has been both appreciated and seen.

    Like

  44. Ras Avatar
    Ras

    Hi,
    Your blog was one of the first ones I followed. I loved the writing, the snippets of your life and of course all that wonderful food. Am ashamed to admit that due to life’s many ups and downs, reading your blog got lost along the way. I was looking at another article on food memoirs where yours was recommended and it was like discovering an old long-lost friend! I immediately jumped over to your site but was sad to read your post about closing the site. Am so delighted to know that I can still read you over at Substack (to which I have subscribed). Am so looking forward to reading more and I wish you all the best!!

    Like

  45. Victoria Avatar
    Victoria

    I’ve been reading your blog forever and will look up your newsletter (thanks!) The thing I make over and over is your cauliflower soup from France, so simple yet so delicious, I think the lemon is what makes it. The other recipes I see for cauliflower soup have tons of ingredients, but are never as good as yours. I also loved your Berlin Kitchen book, best of luck to you in your new endeavor.

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  46. Luisa Avatar

    Thank you,, Jen!

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  47. Luisa Avatar

    That makes me so happy, Ruth. xo

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  48. Luisa Avatar

    Such a good recipe! I never make it because it’s hard to find fresh shrimp here. Sob! And how lovely that your grandma grew up in Charlottenburg, my favorite Bezirk. 🙂 Thank you for reading.

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  49. Luisa Avatar

    Not sure which Susan you’re referring to, but thanks for your kind words!

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  50. Luisa Avatar

    Oh hello kindred spirit! So nice to read you. Thank you for reading for so long and for your lovely comment xo

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