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Is Mrs. Seinfeld's Cookbook Deceptive As Well As Deceptively Delicious?
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 19, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 19, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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Remember that episode of Seinfeld where Kramer’s convinced that Calvin Klein has stolen his fragrance idea – “The Beach” – and marketed it as “Ocean”? It’s a plot line that’s sure to take on a peculiar resonance for author Missy Chase Lapine, whose cookbook The Sneaky Chef
Both share identical concepts and many of the recipes are oddly alike. Seinfeld’s got mashed potatoes with pureed cauliflower, Lapine’s got mashed potatoes with pureed cauliflower and zucchini; Seinfeld does tuna fish mixed with pureed cauliflower, Lapine does tuna fish mixed with pureed cauliflower and, again, zucchini! Seinfeld: Brownies with pureed spinach and carrot. Lapine: Brownies with pureed spinach and blueberry! “I want to talk to Calvin!!!”
But the similarities stop at the book sales. Mrs.Seinfeld – who knows a thing or two about networking, meeting Jerry at the gym right after her honeymoon with Eric Nederlander – was able to get on Oprah to plug her book. Now HarperCollins has six printing presses pumping out the best selling Deceptively Delicious, with print runs of 2.5 million through January. Lapine’s book? 24,000. And we're pretty sure that Lapine hasn't thanked anyone with 21 pairs of designer shoes worth $20,000, as Seinfeld did thank Oprah.
Ms. Lapine submitted her book to HarperCollins and was rejected twice; two weeks after the second rejection, HarperCollins met with Mrs. Seinfeld about her proposal “because of her name and her agent”, per HarperCollins' president. Naturally, Jessica Seinfeld denies the allegations, insisting that she – not hired chefs! – do the cooking in their deluxe apartment at the tony Beresford and that she was making mac and cheese when she got the book idea. Speaking to the Times, Ms. Lapine gave a diplomatic statement through gritted teeth: “I suppose it’s possible it’s a coincidence.”
What do you think? The Times and The Daily News have more on the developing scandal, which, given the vast amount of money involved, seems headed to court. Or at least a scathing statement from Kline's publisher next week. And maybe Jessica will update her blog?
Tagged
Calvin Klein
celebrities
court
daily news
food
gossip
jerry seinfeld
jessica seinfeld
kids
money
news
oprah
seinfeld
the beach
the daily news
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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