About this project
About 2 years ago, Good Commons owner/creator Tesha Buss encouraged me to leave NYC for the weekend and head to rural Vermont to cook at her newly launched retreat center. I had never cooked for more than 4 people in my tiny Hell's Kitchen apartment, but I did it - and loved it. So I went to culinary school, quit my job in the middle of the recession and helped her launch this magical place, nestled amidst the Green Mountains.
Since that very first weekend, guests have asked for a cookbook - but we've decided to give them much more. It's a memoir of our journey, seasoned with humorous and poignant stories that reflect the trials and tribulations of small business:
Meeting the cow and pig that would feed our guests for the coming year,
A hot tub full of young cancer survivors who tally their cumulative medical expenses,
Our legally blind culinary intern who wants to be a chef—
and how we came to find ourselves on this amazing adventure in the first place.
Our Kickstarter goal is $12,000 to fund the research, recipe testing, writing and sample photography for the book. Also included in this budget are the necessary costs to prepare manuscripts, sample chapters and proposals for literary agents and publishers, as well as legal fees. We will self-publish if necessary, but have confidence that this will be picked up by the publishing industry. There is already interest on a few fronts!
We're thrilled to launch this project and share the food, stories and experiences of Good Commons with the world.
-Matthew Wexler, writer/chef
FAQ
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on August 15, 2010.
Pledge $25 or more
An Uncommonly Good original thank-you ditty sung by Tesha. Plus a special thank-you and acknowledgement as a "Good Commoner" in published book.
Pledge $60 or more
A surprise "Best of Vermont" gift . A big hunk of cheese, pure maple syrup, handmade soaps – who knows what Green Mountain surprise will end up at your doorstep! But you know it will be "good". Plus thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $75 or more
Your very own signed copy (by Tesha and Matthew) hot off the press, plus thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $150 or more
A recipe created especially for you by chef Matthew (may or may not appear in final publication). Plus signed copy, thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $350 or more
(NYC area only) A "be Good" experience with one of our favorite co-hosts from past retreats. You'll be able to choose from such decadence as massage therapy, Access Reconnection healing session, knife skills class with trained chef, personal life coach consultation, private sommelier for an evening, or a personal Alexander Technique class. Plus signed copy, thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $900 or more
(NYC area only) A guided NYC food crawl with Tesha and Matthew for 2 guests. Plus 2 signed copies, thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $1,500 or more
A reserved space on one of Good Commons' upcoming retreats. Plus 2 signed copies, thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $2,500 or more
Dinner for four, prepared and presented in your home by chef Matthew and Tesha (available in NY, NJ, CT, MA, NH or VT). Plus 4 signed copies, live performance of Tesha's thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $25 or more
An Uncommonly Good original thank-you ditty sung by Tesha. Plus a special thank-you and acknowledgement as a "Good Commoner" in published book.
Pledge $60 or more
A surprise "Best of Vermont" gift . A big hunk of cheese, pure maple syrup, handmade soaps – who knows what Green Mountain surprise will end up at your doorstep! But you know it will be "good". Plus thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $75 or more
Your very own signed copy (by Tesha and Matthew) hot off the press, plus thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $150 or more
A recipe created especially for you by chef Matthew (may or may not appear in final publication). Plus signed copy, thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $350 or more
(NYC area only) A "be Good" experience with one of our favorite co-hosts from past retreats. You'll be able to choose from such decadence as massage therapy, Access Reconnection healing session, knife skills class with trained chef, personal life coach consultation, private sommelier for an evening, or a personal Alexander Technique class. Plus signed copy, thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $900 or more
(NYC area only) A guided NYC food crawl with Tesha and Matthew for 2 guests. Plus 2 signed copies, thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $1,500 or more
A reserved space on one of Good Commons' upcoming retreats. Plus 2 signed copies, thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Pledge $2,500 or more
Dinner for four, prepared and presented in your home by chef Matthew and Tesha (available in NY, NJ, CT, MA, NH or VT). Plus 4 signed copies, live performance of Tesha's thank-you ditty and acknowledgement in published book.
Project By
Connected as Matthew Wexler (563 friends)
Good Commons is a boutique retreat center nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont, providing a space to rest, retreat & revitalize. We offer unique getaways that bring together culinary experts, health and wellness professionals, artisans and more to create experiences that are "uncommonly good".
