Lee Svitak Dean
leesdean.bsky.social
Lee Svitak Dean
@leesdean.bsky.social
Author. Editor. Journalist.
Co-author of “Kitchens of Hope” (June 2025) and “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book” (2024).
Former food editor of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
leedeanbooks.com
Headed to a favorite spot — a library — for a book talk about the new “Kitchens of Hope,” a volume about immigration and food traditions. Hopkins Public Library in Minnesota, Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 pm. With coffee and book sales by Cream & Amber.
December 2, 2025 at 3:58 AM
The impact of print! Happy to see 2 books I co-authored on the list from the Minnesota Star Tribune: “Kitchens of Hope” and “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book.”
November 2, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I’ve got books on my mind , specifically, mine! If you’re in Maple Grove, Minn., stop by Tuesday for a book talk on immigration and food traditions!
September 23, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Book tour! This is the first of 11 libraries I am visiting. First is in Wyoming, Minn., and then in McGregor, Minn. I love libraries!
September 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Delighted to have been part of cooking demos for the Minnesota Star Tribune, at the state fair. Two recipes from “Kitchens of Hope,” a cookbook about immigration and food traditions, were featured by book contributors: a Latvian walnut cake and a German leek tart. Here’s to food that travels!
September 2, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Check out the recommended summer books!! There might be a book on immigrants and food …
Page-turners that are new and hot right now: Thanks @mspmag.bsky.social for this excellent list that includes @leesdean.bsky.social, Peter Geye, Deborah Jiang-Stein, and Stacia Kalinoski! mspmag.com/arts-and-cul...
A Guide to the Summer Reads of 2025
Page-turners that are new and hot right now.
mspmag.com
June 24, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Publication day! First sighting in the wild! Immigration stories and the recipes brought from homelands. Timely, inspiring, AND delicious. @uminnpress.bsky.social
June 17, 2025 at 5:16 PM
There’s nothing like print to have impact! Thrilled to see my new book, “Kitchens of Hope,” featured in @startribune.com @sharynjackson.bsky.social @uminnpress.bsky.social
June 12, 2025 at 4:50 PM
O Canada, in July 1978 the Taste section of the Minneapolis Star paid homage to our northern neighbor’s provinces with not one but two big food sections on the delights of 1) British Columbia, and 2) Manitoba, including praise for the 3) cooking of Ukrainian immigrants in Winnipeg.
March 23, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I am thrilled to announce a new book focused on the timeliest of topics: immigration, from the journeys of those traveling with hope to the recipes they carried in their hearts. More than 30 immigrants from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe allowed us into
their lives and kitchens. June pub date. Pre-orders!
March 8, 2025 at 2:27 AM
I dropped by @barnesandnoble.com and found a display of 32 copies of “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book.” When I mentioned I was a co-author, the clerk asked me to sign the books. Thanks for the support (and the great — some might say “ultimate” display)! @uminnpress.bsky.social #books
March 4, 2025 at 10:16 PM
February was a dark month, and I’m not talking about the weather. Was it really only 28 days? My reading started out serious, but memoirs offered shafts of light that brought relief. As always, books saved the day (and month) for me. What’s on your March reading list? #books
March 1, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Cookie book alert: It brings me joy to see “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book” lined up with “Joy of Cooking,” two indispensable guides in the kitchen! Thanks, @barnesandnoble.com
February 14, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Cookies and the American Swedish Institute go together like butter, flour, sugar and eggs! It was a sweet afternoon, with cookies from “The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book” baked to perfection by @nordicfoodgeek.bsky.social (thanks!)
A delightful afternoon at American Swedish Institute listening to charming, sweet, & often hilarious StarTrib Holiday Cookie Contest stories from Lee Dean & Rick Nelson. Have you checked out the Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book yet? Fun & super tasty! (Humble brag: 2 of my cookies are in the books 😄)
February 9, 2025 at 10:06 PM
My January booklist kept me (relatively) sane — and busy — this month (see photo). What’s planned for February? For a starter, a memoir appropriate for the month. What could that be? (to be announced in 28 days). Note the library books in the stack, a reader’s best friend #books
February 2, 2025 at 3:03 AM
It’s official: The Year of the Loon
The 2025 ABA Bird of the Year is Common Loon!

We're excited to kick off this Year of the Loon by sharing the beautiful art from our 2025 Bird of the Year artist, Minnesota artist Sam Zimmerman.

Sam's piece, Summering Loon, will be featured on the January 2025 issue of Birding magazine.
January 15, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Wishing all a full cookie jar in 2025! If you need inspiration, I recommend this new book from Rick Nelson and me. Happy baking in the new year! @uminnpress.bsky.social #baking #cookies
January 1, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Reposted by Lee Svitak Dean
Tuesday at 9am on MPR News, tune in as I talk with the co-authors of an updated book filled with the best cookie recipes from the The Minnesota Star Tribune holiday cookie contests over the years. It's called "The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book.”
www.mprnews.org/episode/2024...
Minnesota's best cookie recipes? These writers are on the hunt
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about our favorite cookies — from ginger drops to cranberry swirls and almond palmiers — with the founders of the Minnesota Star Tribune cookie contest.
www.mprnews.org
November 25, 2024 at 10:16 PM