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Recipe for a Country InnBy Donna LeahyEdited by Madelyn Miller
In RECIPE FOR A COUNTRY INN Donna Leahy not only shares 125 of the Inn at Twin Linden’s most popular recipes, she also relates how she and her husband realized their dream. Moving to the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania—with Amish and Mennonite neighbors who live without phones or cars—the Leahys quickly saw the merits of a simpler life. But very little about launching the inn proved simple. They had to cope with peeling paint, backed up septic, failing appliances, and balding lawns. And, last but not least, since there were no restaurants within driving distance of their would-be inn, Donna had to teach herself to cook. Using the freshest ingredients from nearby farms, and lots of books and magazines, she set to work. Ten years later—after developing recipes lsuch as Stuffed French Toast, Orange Zest Crepes with Rhubarb Syrup, Scallops with Saffron Risotto Cakes, Caramelized Duck Breast with Wild Mushrooms, and Frozen Lemon Mascarpone Mousse—she has led a cooking segment on the Today Show, and Twin Linden has been featured in publications such as the Los Angeles Times, National Geographic Traveler, and Country Living. More than a simple cookbook, RECIPE FOR A COUNTRY INN also serves as the blueprint for one version of the American dream. With honest and enlightening details about how to publicize a small inn, handle difficult guests, keep the all-important reservation book in order, and design suites, readers will fully understand the dedication and devotion that went into building the Inn at Twin Linden. And even after outlining the hard work and penny pinching, the Leahys' world still appeals: delicious food, lush gardens, grateful guests, life in the country, and a lasting sense of accomplishment. And as an added bonus, the pictures are so gorgeous you just might want to frame them. About the Author:Owners Donna and Robert Leahy operate and manage all aspects of the Inn at Twin Linden, located in Churchtown, Pennsylvania. Twin Linden, an eight-room country inn featuring deluxe accommodations and intimate fine dining, has been featured in such national publications as Country Living, National Geographic Traveler, Country Inns Magazine, and USA Today. Donna is the author of a breakfast cookbook, Morning Glories. HarperCollinsPublishers |
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A house on the water. A red convertible. Pitching for a
major league baseball team. The American Dream takes different forms for
different people, but one of the most common forms, to be sure, is to own a
country inn. We’ve all been to one or two, and we’ve all let our
imaginations go: Wouldn’t it be lovely to live here year round? Wouldn’t it
be fun to fix up an old house like this one? Bob and Donna Leahy walked down
that very same path in their minds. The difference is that they acted on
their fantasy: Ten years ago, they left urban Philadelphia and bought a
rundown house that had once been a grand showpiece during the mid-1800s.