Comical culinary Italian saga where each recipe comes alive with a funny story about the Vendetti crime family and the Italian culture.
Me, my brother David and my mother Rosemary
I was very close to my brother David, he believed in my talent since we were kids; He would tell me all the time that I had a gift to make people laugh. David inspired me to think beyond my wildest dreams and believe making people laugh goes far beyond “just in front of the mic." He gave me my first cookbook from a garage sale, a black and white by Kate Smith. (Remember her, the chuby lady that sang God Bless America?) He told me "Cha, you gotta write your own line of comedy cookbooks about the Italian culture."
After that I started collecting cookbooks, which was over 20 years ago! In the late 80’s after I lost my cousin Stephanie and my Auntie Nora (who I was very close to) I decided to write my first cookbook, "Auntie's" based on my Aunt Nora. I illustrated “Auntie’s” myself and gave them as Christmas gifts. (I did 8 collectors!)
My bother passed in 1995 from AIDS at the young age of 35. We were in the middle of our creative lives together and it was the saddest day of my life; I was heartbroken and lost. I didn’t have a clue what to do about my career as a funny lady without his inspiration and guidance. 
In 1999 I heard about a convention in New Orleans where you could pitch your Television show ideas, so I decided to write another small booklet called "I got your recipes... right here! I got in my car and drove to New Orleans from L.A. to pitch at NATPE which was a huge success and I was up for my own talk show with David Tenzer at CAA. Well, needless to say as showbiz goes, the comical cooking talk show didn’t sell. Unfortunately, we were way ahead of our time. When it didn't sell, I started to develop the little booklet into a real cookbook with the help of my mother. I would sit on my bed in my small studio apartment and call my mother every 10 minutes asking her about her life and the people that sat at her kitchen table. I’m sad to say she never saw the book finished as she passed in the middle of it, which, once again left me devastated. 
Thankfully, eight months after my beautiful mother went to be with my brother I met my partner Tonya (which was a gift from above). She had the spirit of my mother and brother when it came to believing in me, and with her help my small booklet became the vision my brother and I always dreamed, “MISTRESS OF THE MOB CUISINE.” It’s about growing up in the Italian section of Boston, referred to as “The North End.” It is a comedy trilogy of THE VENDETTI CULINARY CRIME FAMILY where recipes come alive with a member of my family and all the people that sat at my mother's kitchen table.
Below is just a taste of over 90 original illustrations!
Thank you so much for all of your support on making my dream come true.
You're Good People!
XXOO, Cheril
SPECS OF THE BOOK
- 2,000 books printed with shipping and duty charges
- Hard cover 81/2 x 81/2 with high gloss full color dust jacket
- 168 pages of full color printed on 90 pound matte paper
- 75 delicious recipes with 48 full color gorgeous food photos
- Entire book is completely illustrated
FAQ
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Well, I will slit my wrists but your credit card will not be charged. So that's a good thing.
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I am having Global out of Santa Rosa print the book in China. They do wonderful work and Ken ( the owner of the company) wants my business as he is sick of me asking him for quotes.
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Yes, you will! It takes 8 weeks to print the books in China as they are coming on a slow boat from china but you will have them by then and you can cook these delicious recipes during the Holidays.
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Well, first of all it smells like garlic and comes with a restraining order but it is funny and written from the heart. The characters come alive through each recipe and it is very unique in that respect. Plus I stole the recipes from my dead relatives so it has a back story.
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Yes and then some.
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No, they just play one on TV and in the Kitchen!
48
Backers
$1,759
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on July 6, 2012.
Funding period
May 7, 2012 -
Jul 6, 2012
(60 days)
- First created · 1 backed
- Cheril Vendetti 4981 friends
- Website: cherilvendetti.com
Pledge $1 or more
3 backers
"YOU'RE GOOD PEOPLE" A big hug and a pinch on the cheek. As my mother would say in her thick Rhode Island accent, "It's better than nuthin."
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $10 or more
9 backers
"THE BLESSED MOTHER BACKYARD" A big hug, a pinch on the cheek, a recipe and of course a Blessed Mother book marker. (so she will always watch over you).
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $17 or more
3 backers
"THE TAKE HOME ORDER"-A big hug from my Aunt Bunny ( a classy broad with a heart of gold) , a pinch on the cheek, a recipe card, blessed mother book marker AND an autographed gorgeous bra from her "What was your name again?" collection!
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $30 or more
11 backers
" THE PASTA BOWL"-a big hug,, a pinch on the cheek, a recipe card, blessed mother book marker and a copy of the book MISTRESS OF THE MOB CUISINE comical cookbook. For International orders please add $10.00 for shipping and handling.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $50 or more
14 backers
"I'M NOT HUNGRY, I'LL JUST PICK" A big hug, a kiss on the cheek, a recipe card and a blessed mother book marker. PLUS an autographed copy of MISTRESS OF THE MOB CUISINE comical cookbook and a mention on the donor page of the web site. For international orders please add an extra $10.00 for shipping and handling.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $100 or more
3 backers
"A TASTE" A big hug, a pinch on the cheek, two recipe cards and two blessed mother book markers. PLUS two autographed copies of MISTRESS OF THE MOB CUISINE and a mention on the web site donor page. For International orders please add an extra $10.00 for shipping and handling.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
"THE TRUNK SPECIAL" A big hug, a pinch on the cheek, six recipe cards, six blessed mother book markers,six autographed adorable chef hats and 12 delicious chocolate cigars from my shady Uncle Sal (direct from the trunk of his caddy) lol. PLUS 6 autographed copies of MISTRESS OF THE MOB CUSINE, a mention on donor page of web site, facebook nod, some tweets on my twitter, and 6 special pot holders so you don't burn your hands while cooking some of these fabulous recipes. OR for club owners a one night comedy show that I will add to other nights if I'm in your area. For International orders please add an extra $10.00 for shipping and handling.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
"THE FAMILY SPECIAL" All of the above PLUS six more cookbooks totaling 12 autographed copies, your choice of either a 45- 1 hour comedy show for 2 nights OR a cooking demo at the kitchen of your choice (air and lodging not included) and I will bring the ingredients and u bring the guests. I can work ANY audience and will tailor my act to suit your needs. You must supply microphone and sound. Great for the Holidays! or if this is a club I will headline 2 nights as mentioned with 45-1 hour show and if u do drag shows I will do a guest spot on the third night.Such a deal! Oi vey!!
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $1,500 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
"THE NONI SPECIAL" 25 autographed cookbooks, one hour comedy show (I can host, roast and headline any event tailored to your needs) or a dinner party for fifteen guests, cooking any four recipes from the cookbook and the ingredients are on me. You bring the guests I bring the rest. A mention on donor page of web site, facebook nod, some tweets on my twitter, and 25 special pot holders. PLUS a framed copy of one of the ORIGINAL colored illustrations from the cookbook. (air and lodging not included). PLUS VIP seating at one of my stand- up shows and your own character and recipe based on you in the second book of the trilogy " KISS MY CANNOLI". Great gift for a Holiday party. For club owners I will headline 3 nights and do the dinner party on the 4th night and do a guest spot in your drag show or open mike night.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
