My Keyboard for a Cutting Board

National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards Finalist!

I was stunned to see an email in my inbox that read: "You are an Indie Excellence Book Award Finalist!" Spam most likely was my first thought. Then....yikes! Moi? My humble little livre (book), My Keyboard for a Cutting Board ~ Adventures in a French Kitchen v1.0, made it to the finals! Oooh la la! Never mind I lost out to the Junior Leaguers....to quote Susan Lucci, "I'm just happy to be nominated." Huge thanks to Kristin Espinasse of the très charmant French Word-a-Day for encouraging me to submit my book for this award. 

UPDATE: My little livre is out of print. I printed a set amount and once it sold out, that was it.  I saw one listed on Amazon for $70 a while back (omg!) and I'm considering posting it as a pdf but tbd. Until then, you are welcome to follow my culinary trials and tribulations on facebook or instagram. Until then, bon appetit! 

Book Review from Pen and Fork

"Ever consider shucking your 9 to 5 corporate job for a culinary career? Laura Pauli did just that, trading in a successful high tech job in the San Francisco area for a whole new life. After graduating from The French Culinary Institute, she headed to France and cooked her way from Paris to the Riviera. Along the way, she wrote email letters to all her friends, documenting her experience. She's now gathered those emails and put them in a book. Filled with side-busting humor, tear-jerking drama and mouthwatering recipes, Laura's book will inspire you to take a look at your own life and maybe even follow in her footsteps." ~Gwen Walters, Pen & Fork Communications

Kudos to My Keyboard

Many thanks to all of you for your kind words....

Okay, I am on page 44 and I f***ing love your book. I love the emotion and passion. Very very nice. I was too late for the fish store, or I was going to make your salmon….. I have committed to making every recipe in your book. The very first time I set foot in Europe, I said to myself ‘I have been here before’. There is something so familiar to me about Europe. I love the food and smells and everything you describe. I am sure I lived there in past lives, as you obviously have. I will be back. ~ RM

I really enjoyed your book! I think your next career is writing!!! I can relate to some of your feelings and struggles etc....life sure throws out some doozies...you expressed that well and made me laugh too! As my grandmother used to say "I give you credit"...for doing it alone-wow! Funny about the Target sign...it really was a "sign" considering that it's owned by a French company. ~ PKS

Congrats Laura, on your adventure, your success and your new book!! ~ JON

Congratulations. You did it. You wrote and published a book. It’s awesome. I’m so excited…I adore the photos…the whole book is wonderfully laid out…and no surprise, your writing is fabulous. But I had to write and tell you how proud I am of you… ~ BS

Bonjour… Congrats on your book! ~ RL, FCI

I just finished reading your book this morning. It was wonderful. Keep writing. I look forward to more of your musings in the future. Definitely one of my favorite parts was when you said that you thought Oceanopolis (in Brest) was the home of Aquaman. ~ JP

Just came home to find your book – congratulations! What fun to have your adventures all bound up so neatly. ~ DG

Your photos are fabulous and joy exudes from your pages, well done. ~ TB

We got our autographed copy -- thanks! I'm looking forward to curling up with it this holiday weekend. Congratulations again! ~ AG

What a great effort...BRAVA, my dear! Can't wait for the sequel. ~ AQ

…am reading the book, and feel totally affirmed in my belief in your writing skills and have taken much enjoyment from your use of words. very gutsy, very amusing, and really to the bone emotions. i expect much good will come of this effort, and those you plan to follow up with. shakespeare of la cuisine!!! ~ JDV

I began reading your book. I love the breezy style. Fun. ~ MF

What a beautiful book...Thank you for having shared it with us. Great pictures and lots of ideas for future "festins". ~ JME

I was excited to see your book in my mailbox today. I can't wait to sit down and start reading it! :-) ~ JB

The book is gorgeous inside and out. It is really first class and you have done an amazing job with so many delicate details that make the book so special. I really like the dated entries for a more personal way to share your story--one I look forward to reading! Wishing you a great success with this, the first of many, books. ~ KE

the cover of your book is filled with joy. ~ KOB

i've finished reading it!! it's quite a journey you've got there, and quite an inspiration! :) ~ LL

Just wanted to tell you I read your book the night I returned from the trip after 12 hours in a pretzel position and even as dead as I was, I could not put it down!!!! Your book is amazing!! what a funny & very brave tale you wove!! ~ CP

It was terrific! ~ MB

Got it, read it, waiting for the next one!! ~ MK

Congratulations on the book! The cover looks wonderful. ~ EM, FCI

I am through the first couple of pages through your book, and it is as if I would be reading about myself. About the rules and drill in the school that I find silly, but somehow instinctively know, that they all have a reason. About not looking back, and not wanting to return to a cubicle.... Especially I liked to read that you had also a phase of doubt and questions. ~ UB

My First Review....

"Part luscious food-porn and part letter home from abroad, Laura's first book is both engaging and compelling, telling the story of her initial experiences cooking in France after leaving a corporate cubicle job in Silicon Valley. Culled from her blog, and letters she actually wrote to friends and family, it shares her story - including descriptions of food that make the mouth water, and far less appetizing descriptions of things like the shoebox apartment she rents, that could fit inside one room of her former residence in the Bay Area." -Melissa Bartell, Bibliotopia

My Keyboard for a Cutting Board ~ Adventures in a French Kitchen v1.0

Hi Everyone! I've wanted to share my adventures transitioning from a cube in Silicon Valley to cooking school in New York City to the kitchens of France and now I finally can!

This is the first edition of what I hope is many exciting adventures to come. It begins as I wash ashore on the Cote d'Azur to cook at the Cannes Film Festival and includes vibrant color pictures, like those gorgeous strawberries on the cover, and easy recipes to whet your appetite.

If it weren't for the fabulous Kristin Espinasse and her inspiration, encouragement and guidance, I never would have done this. Thank you for the kick in the derrière and for placing the first pre-order!

And speaking of orders....

This book is available now -- just click the above secured, encrypted [Buy Now] PayPal link -- and you should receive it within a week. The cost includes tax and shipping.

A huge MERCI to everyone, friends from home and abroad, people I’ve met here in France and in this crazy blogosphere who’ve embraced, encouraged, helped, fed, housed & clothed me every step of the way. Gros bisous et merci de ma petite fenêtre à Paris! Laura

PS: If the PayPal purchase system starts behaving like the French mass transit system (ie: not working for no apparent reason), please try the link in the top right corner of this site. If it is still en greve (on strike), please don't hesitate to send me an email and we can arrange another form of payment. Merci! Laura