A Tribute to Lis, the Queen of the Daring Kitchen
It is with deep sorrow that I write this post. The food blogging community has lost one of its brightest members, Lis, Co-Founder of the Daring Kitchen, Daring Bakers and author of the blog La Mia Cucina. Lis was a true leader in the blogging world, kind, funny and always ready to help a budding blogger. In fact she was one of my food blogging idols when I just started out and when I got the email that I had been accepted into the Daring Bakers, I felt like I had received a letter from a celebrity, I was star-struck. Lis always had a kind word, encouragement or a witty remark for anyone. It seems so wrong that such a person can be snuffed from this world so suddenly and so before her time. Lis, you will be missed.
I am not a Daring Baker anymore, once I started The Foodie Blogroll, my time was turned more towards developing that community that I didn’t have much time for my blog anymore, let alone the Daring Bakers project. No one understood that better than Lis, and when I told her about my new venture, she was so encouraging and helpful, instead of seeing me as competition. That is how things used to be in the blogosphere. But I digress.
So today I want to share with you some of my favorite DB challenges. I was never very good at baking, but my time with the DBs changed that! I met a lot of bloggers who I am still very close with today from that group and I lost my fear of baking. In fact, when I spend time in the kitchen these days (which is not usually for long periods of time as a new mother), I bake and that is thanks to the DBs and Lis.
By way of tribute, I would like to share with you my favorite DB challenges! None of them are gluten free, but they were fun! 🙂 I hope you enjoy reading them, they are actually some of my funniest posts – seems perfect since Lis was such a funny and witty person.
Chocolate Valentino Cake (this one is actually GF!) that I made with my dear friend Judy
Hazelnut Gateau with Pistachio Praline
Coconut and Dulce de Leche Opera Cake – my very favorite and most delicious DB challenge!
Yule Log – I make one every year now!
To see all of my DB challenges, please click this link!
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Rosa - November 15, 2013 at 2:10 pm
A beautiful tribute and big loss…
Cheers,
Rosa
kelly - November 15, 2013 at 2:29 pm
I smiled when I saw your list of challenges — some of my faves as well. And I think the reason so many of us ended up with funny posts is because the sometimes the challenges were so out of our comfort zone. I was crazed at times 🙂 I can’t imagine the cake overload you described on the L’Opera challenge and probably would have passed. Lovely tribute, Jenn.
Francesca De Grandis - November 15, 2013 at 4:31 pm
Jenn, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. When someone has been an inspiration, it is like a light leaves our world. I love you and hold you in my heart.
Andrea Meyers - November 15, 2013 at 11:06 pm
You listed some of my favorites, too! The eclairs, oh those eclairs. I think all of us got busy with other things, work, projects, kids. It happens. I’m just glad we’re all pulling together now.
Gabi Marshall - November 16, 2013 at 2:01 am
I love those Jenn! So many great days with the DBs!
Lis left a huge legacy.
xoxo
Gabi
bellini - November 16, 2013 at 10:38 am
The blogging community has lost a very special lady. We all learned so much with a sense of style, humility and humour,and ALWAYS laughter and fun. Some of us may no longer be Daring Bakers but we are still those fledgling bloggers in spirit who rose to every challenge. Thank you Lis.I remember many of these challenges Jenn, especially the Yule Log and the Opera Cake.
angela@spinachtiger - November 16, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Nice words. I was never a part of the Daring group, but I always enjoyed reading the posts.
Sherri Jo - November 18, 2013 at 12:23 pm
A beautiful tribute 🙂
Arlene (Mom) - November 18, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Heartfelt tribute.
Joanne T Ferguson - November 19, 2013 at 2:29 am
G’day Love tribute to a lovely person we were all blessed to be connected through!
It is bittersweet to read all of these wonderful tributes to Lis, shared one and feel glad and sad through each one!
Cheers! Joanne