Roseberry Kitchen became quiet for a while. In May of 2013 we learned that my brother had stage 4 esophageal cancer – an incurable, incredibly aggressive form of cancer that literally starves its victim to death. The journey with cancer is hard, not only for the person afflicted with this disease, but for the entire family. Much like the disease itself, the ongoing battle and care is completely consuming. Borrowing on the phrase ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, one could say ‘it takes a town to help a family deal with cancer’.  My brother lost his battle that same year on Christmas Eve.

My brother was a huge fan of the Roseberry Kitchen and the many great meals that came from it.  One of his favourites was something that we both shared very fond memories of – rice pudding. When we came home from school, especially on those cold winter days, our mother would have a pot of rice pudding simmering on the stove. We would constantly ‘sample’ it until she finally gave in and allowed us a small bowl before dinner. Interestingly enough, rice pudding ended up being one of the last things that my brother could eat before the cancer completely took his hunger away. For this reason I dedicate this recipe to his memory.

For all those who wrote such beautiful comments about this site and encouraged me to write again, I thank you – for it was those comments that often brought light to an otherwise dark time. Roseberry Kitchen is back now, understanding more than ever the importance of the simple pleasure that good food brings to life’s journey with family and friends.

In memory of one of the biggest fans of the Roseberry Kitchen,
Konrad Weinstock
May 1964 – December 2013

Konrad