A note from Anna.
Finally, the time has come and I can introduce you to my Cookie, she’s a wise old owl who knows more about hospitality than anyone I know, having ran an elegant Country Guest House in one of Australia’s wine regions for over a quarter century & I’m so proud to call her my mentor, my friend & a woman I can only hope to aspire to, she’s one tough lady!
I first met Cookie when I was a little girl of just 5 years old when my family stayed at her beautiful old country home, The Flamingo where every evening we dressed up in our best & sat down to dinner with the other guests at a magnificently set dining table complete with gleaming silver candleware, crystal glasses & floral arrangements, the likes I’d never seen until then.  I felt like I was Cinderella as I watched the beautifully coiffured Cookie always dressed so elegantly sit down to dinner with us all, to me, she was sophistication personified.
My childhood crush led me to start sending her Christmas cards each year & would receive her card in return & much to my delight there would always be a hand written letter telling me all that had happened throughout the year at The Flamingo, & so began our friendship.
Eventually, when I was about 12 years old, I’d successfully nagged my mother enough to take me on a girls only holiday back to The Flamingo so I could see Cookie’s world again.  This time I saw behind the scenes & spent every waking moment shadowing Cookie’s every move, but most importantly I got to wear my very own lace trimmed apron! My girlhood fantasies were tied up imagining Cookies glamorous world & there were no surprises in guessing what I wanted to be when I grew up.
In 2009 Cookie asked me if I would like her diaries & I found myself being transported back to another time in hospitality as I burned the midnight oil reading them, they are absolutely fascinating.  Together we’ve changed a few things around & set Cookies story in a fictional Australian country town so as to protect the innocent & the not so innocent!  We hope you enjoy Cookies journey from such humble & all but penniless beginnings to owning & running the highly successful country  guest house, ‘The Flamingo’.
A note from Cookie
Hello Everyone.  My thanks to Anna for asking me to share with you all the stories & notes from my journals. For over a quarter century, from 1968-1999, I worked as Housekeeper & Cook in a beautiful & elegant Country Guest Home, named rather tongue in cheek The Flamingo by my employers, 2 very dear & wonderful gentlemen who brought this stunning old home back to life again in 1958.
The Flamingo had 10 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms & 3 sitting rooms, counting the library. The wonderful formal dining table seated 20 guests and during my time, we remained solidly booked at around 90% occupancy, so I know a thing or two about the Art of Hospitality & Cookery from a different time in Australian hospitality heritage.  Anna & I both share a great love of wonderfully prepared food, matched with that perfect beverage of course!
My stories reflect my own journey as I grew up quickly & eventually matured at The Flamingo, learning skills in both housekeeping, people management & business that I would never have dreamt I’d master prior to taking on the job. My first story will be ‘Cookie in 1968’ & I look forward to sharing it with you in a few days.
Cookie
Meet Anna
Contact
72 Comments and Pings on COOKIE’S DIARY
I look forward to the stories.
.-= Debra Kolkka´s last blog ..Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers =-.
That’s great Debra, hope you enjoy them as much as me
It is so inspiring to have such a nice and dignified person as a mentor. I always enjoy stories from different people, places periods of time.
Hi Katerina
I’m with you, I love a good story like this too, I hope you all enjoy Cookies diaries as we roll them out, I always was in awe of her but when I think how different (& difficult) things were in the ‘good old days’ I am super inspired by her.
I’m so jealous! Is it going to be a book? Or a movie! Anne Hathaway could play your part and Coookie… Joanna Lumley?
Your too funny Sean
Mmwwaah? Anne Hathaway? Now that would be super cool although sadly I don’t actually feature in the diaries…. when I was reading through them I secretly hoped I was as outstanding to Cookie as she was to me…., but nuh… nadda, nothin’ 
lol!
Anna this is so intriguing. I can hardly wait. It will be like a page turner except online. What an interesting idea and a fabulous beginning and mentorship for you. It is rare we find someone in our lives that are willing to share as completely as it sounds Cookie has with you. I look forward to hearing your stories and the differant way things are done downunder EXCITING:)B
.-= Beth@thescreenporch´s last blog ..Pommes Dauphinois-French Fridays with Dorie =-.
Oh I’m so pleased your intrigued Beth & your looking forward to more. When Cookie & I were tweeking the original diary entries into blog like posts we questioned ourselves a lot as to whether anyone would be interested in it…., I mean seriously, I’ve been star struck by Cookie most of my life, but Cookie has always found people’s interest in her story & knowledge with a little touch of dignified amusement. I do hope you enjoy the Cookie diaries.
I loved the introduction and look forward to the first story.
.-= Seglare´s last blog ..Danish Delicacies =-.
Thanks Seglare, I’m so happy your looking forward to the first diary entry!
hi Anna,
i’ll bet Cookie was very inspiring to you and i can’t wait to hear her wonderful stories. i share your guys’s love of wonderfully prepared food, matched with that perfect beverage also, but my love is more about eating it than preparing it…teehee. have a wonderful weekend.
.-= lequan´s last blog ..It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas =-.
Heee, Teehee Lequan
Your probably well on your way to being a food critic then lovely, you’ve got all the markings as most of those well known food critics don’t cook, but they sure know their flavours, what works & what doesn’t…., so there you go….., we’ve chosen a new career path for you 
Hey Anna, I always admire those who do so much work (like Cookie) and still manage to be prim & pretty in the process of doing so. I can understand your childhood crush. I’d probably have one on her now if I met her (smile)…
.-= Stella´s last blog ..Soy Stained Tofu Salad =-.
You so would Stella
I mean how do these ‘natural beauties’ do it huh, french roll that never appeared to fall out all over her face when she’s kneading dough (like me) and she wore heels too…, all the time…. still does, this lady is serious crush material I tell ya 
(although as she tells me rather crossly… they are sensible heels!!)
I can’t wait to read these stories! But what a lovely tale already
.-= Hannah´s last blog ..Fourteen Things I Have Learnt In The Past Week =-.
Gee thanks Hannah, hope you enjoy it
Wow, she sounds amazing and what a wonderful friendship you have-from so young!
.-= Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella´s last blog ..Win A 150 Meat Voucher at Haverick’s Direct! =-.
Yes, I guess it is a bit rare that’s true, and your right…, Cookie is amazing
Look forward to reading the stories – it’s great to have a mentor like Cookie!
.-= Gourmet Chick´s last blog ..Barbagallo Trattoria e Pizzeria – Gourmet Chick in Australia =-.
So true, nothing like a really good mentor whose in for the long haul that’s so true.
Cant wait to read Cookie’s stories
. For me, the person I really look up to is Martha Stewart. I so admire her.
*kisses* HH
Martha is a legend isn’t she, an amazing woman whose done so well for herself
Anna, that is so exciting that Miss Cookie gave you access to her diaries. Sounds like wonderful childhood memories & I look forward to reading more
Yes, the diaries are wonderful collections of hospitality memories, recipes, trials & tribulations for sure Marla, so interesting reading how things were done in another era
Anna, how wonderful! I was the same sort of young girl who was fascinated by such things and would have been right there with you taking notes on Cookie’s every move. I’m looking forward to more!
Hi Jean
Oh yes, I certainly had such a crush on her that’s for sure & she was always so lovely about my idolisation when I was little 
The diaries sound absolutely fascinating and I look forward to reading Cookie’s stories.
.-= Susan Walter´s last blog ..Subterranean Refuges =-.
Hey there Susan
The Cookie posts will come out every weekend, hope you enjoy them heaps 
Cookie sounds like one of the lovely ladies I remember from my past. Not just one… there were many. It almost seems like those days are gone. Yes, there are beautiful ladies with coiffed hair, but the “gracious” part seems to be a dying art. I’m glad to be introduced to Cookie through you! It gives me hope that there are still a few gracious ladies left in this world.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..The Chestnut Cafe – Earlham =-.
Hi Stephanie, great to connect with you
Yes, I do believe Cookie is a very gracious lady, hope you enjoy her story as much as I did 
I simply could not leave your site without telling you that I really loved the quality info a person offer for your visitors! Will be back frequently to check out brand new posts
Thanks so much
oh how positively wonderful!!!!
.-= Lisa (bakebikeblog)´s last blog ..The apple butter of my eye =-.
Hey Lisa
I’m still drooling over your apple butter 
How lucky you have been to have such a wonderful mentor and influence. And what generosity to give you her diaries! Looking forward to hearing all about her!
Yes, for sure Amanda
Most of my childhood adulation was certainly ‘from afar’ (except for the Christmas cards) but I’ve certainly loved her influence since starting my own journey in hospitality for sure, she’s been an amazing guiding influence.
Anna,
You always come up with something amazing, don’t you! Such a wonderful adventure to be able to catch a glance at times gone past. Glad you’re going to share some of them with us.
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Paying the Price of the 3 R’s =-.
Certainly am Val
Glad you like the concept and your looking forward to reading more of Cookies Diaries 
Thanks for introducing us to Cookie, looking forward to the stories!
.-= 5 Star Foodie´s last blog ..IIP- Slow Roasted Maple Leaf Duck Breast Filet with Old Hickory Smoked Salt- Black Trumpets- Soft Polenta- and Sun-Dried Tomato Jus =-.
Excellent Natasha, hope you enjoy her stories
Sounds like it could be the start of a tv mini series! Cookie had better start picking out who”s going to play her character… maybe Gwenneth Paltrow?
.-= InTolerantChef´s last blog ..Get Some Morks On Your Fork =-.
LOL…. Gwyneth Paltrow you say…. Cookie would indeed be impressed.
Oh this is so exciting, Anna! Cookie sounds like a really fabulous lady and I’m thrilled that we’ll get to read her stories!
.-= Faith´s last blog ..Easy Apple-Cranberry Chutney =-.
Yes Faith, I have been soooooo looking forward to sharing Miss Cookie’s amazing story with you. It is fascinating!
Wow! This sounds really great Anna! I’m looking forward to reading the first installment. Thank you so much for sharing your stories with us Cookie!
.-= Julie M.´s last blog ..Kick Butt Apple Pie and a Lesson in Latticing =-.
I can’t wait to share with you either Julie!
How exciting. Can’t wait to hear about Cookie’s adventures!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What’s for Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
.-= Alex aka Ma What’s For Dinner´s last blog ..Edible Napkin Rings =-.
Ohhh, this is the best!
I love that you corresponded with her as a little girl. 
Me too Krista, I’ve loved her influence since starting my own journey in hospitality. Cookie is an amazing woman!
Anna this is such a beautiful story. I love the picture of you as an eager child, lace apron, shadowing your idol
No wonder you became a chef! I cannot wait for these stories.
Heidi xo
.-= Heidi – Apples Under My Bed´s last blog ..Our 65km Walk =-.
HEHE… Yep, it really is a lovely story! I can’t wait to share the story with you.
Anna I love it. Looking forward to reading some stories, and I’m with the others, a movie, mini-series?
.-= cityhippyfarmgirl´s last blog ..pumpkin pie =-.
LOL…. Who do you think should play Miss Cookie?
What a charming story. So fun that it’s real life! I’ll look forward to the story unfolding.
.-= Barbara Bakes´s last blog ..Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes- Dry Brined Turkey and Broccoli Pancetta Sauté =-.
I found Cookies journey so interesting too Barbara, I was amazed how things had changed so much in hospitality since Cookies time and loved the story too. Can’t wait to share it with you all
Cool….I’m already hooked and can’t wait to hear more from Cookie! – S
Excellent Steve, hope you enjoy Cookie’s journey
You’re so lucky to have a such a lovely mentor! Can’t wait to hear more of the story.
.-= lisaiscooking´s last blog ..Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Meatballs =-.
Yep, sure am Lisa. We can’t wait to tell the story so hope you enjoy
I am really looking forward to this Anna… I can’t wait to read all about Cookie and her stories.
.-= Trissa´s last blog ..Fettuccine alla Carbonara & Book Review of Family Italian by John Lanzafame and Mum =-.
Thats so exciting Trissa, its a darn good yarn and all the more exciting because its part of our hospitality heritage
What a wonderful story Anna! I can’t wait for Cookie’s diary to begin!
.-= Loll´s last blog ..Boozy Christmas cake =-.
And, I can’t wait to share the story with you!
Can’t wait, Cookie! Anna, thank you!
Absolutely unexpected and full of intrigue. You have me hooked.
Valerie
.-= A Canadian Foodie´s last blog ..Roast Sunworks Farm Chicken and Apple Cider Pan Stew- Homage to Michael Smith and CIN 2010 =-.
LoL…, that’s great Val. Hope you enjoy Cookie’s Diaries…, she is such an inspiration
This is fascinating, I wished you posted more frequently about COOKIE’S DIARY!
Glad your enjoying the read Emma. We post every Saturday (Aus time) with another Cookie story.
What I dont understand is how youre not even more popular than you are now. Youre just so intelligent. You know so much about this subject, made me think about it from so many different angles. Its like people arent interested unless it has something to do with Lady Gaga! Your stuffs great. Keep it up!
Awesome, glad your enjoying the site
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