The times., 1899-02-19
A FORTUNE IN GINGERBREAD.
1t Is Being Made by Mrs. Harriet
Rrainerd.

brssneru-
Mrs. Harriet Brainard has long been
known as one of the foremost teachers of
literature in Chicago, but it only recently
transpired that for several years she has
been at the head Of an association that
supplies all sorts OF delicacies for the
largest tea room in the city, caters to many
OF the swell clubs, and furnishes the buff
fets of most of the railroads running cut
of Chicago; moreover, that she was its
sole originator and promoter, and while
retaining her position as teacher of litera-
ture, has managed the entire financial side
of the association; not only so. but no
new dish is ever added 10 the list but
that Mrs. Brainard first makes ii with her
own hands, tests it, and personally teaches
it to her assistants. In other words Mrs.
Brainard is the association.
From no capital and no commercial pres
tige her business has grown until now the
whole upper floor of her large and beauti-
full home is given up to the manufacture
of home delicacies, and no less than fifty
people are employed in its various branch
es. Indeed, with the new year, Mrs.
Brainard found herself obliged to add to
Il
in one of the handsome buildings on Mich
igan Boulevard, and has begun TO add
private catering to her list of successes.
A graduate of Cornell College and for
three years fellow in the Chicago Uni
versity Mrs. Brainard drifted into teach
ing literature as in the direction OF her
most strongly marked tastes. Born and
bred to a rather luxurious way OF living,
she was unwilling, when the business de-
enue was found TO be tied up in real estate.
that any change should take place in their
accustomed way Of living, but determined
that the usual establishment. with its SER
wants. horses, carriages, etc, should re-
main intact. The matter had been fer
menting in her sub consciousness some lit
tie time when she casually remarked 10 a
friend one day during her summer vaca-
tion:
Il must make more money l am at
tached to my school work. but teachers
salary is not sufficient 10 keep up very
much of a menage. is it,
Well replied the friend, after pause,
why don't you try catering for the new
tea room which -- are about to open?
You have always had penchant for cook
ing. you know"
But l don't know anything about bust
ness" replied Mrs. BTainard; If you will
find out what they want and what the
business arrangements are, ! Will cheer
fully make the experiment.
The trip was made and word brought
back that the firm had arranged for every
thing but gingerbread They had so far
been unable TO find any of this commodity
that suited their fancy. and would be glad
to order daily supply if they could get
exactly what they wanted. Mrs. Brainard
Immediately set to work to make ginger
bread. and tried a dozen different recipes
before she produced anything quite satis-
factory TO herself. Then one came out
light moist, delicious, and the next day
dozen similar cakes were made and sent
to the firm. These perfectly met the long
felt want and orders followed. As the
FIRMS custom grew their demands spread
from gingerbread to cakes OF all sorts
rolls. salads pickles, jellies, croquets, etc.
More servants were employed-gradually
other cafes and clubs began 10 ask for
supplies. and thus the business grew into
its present proportions.
The whole scheme really swung from
that one loaf of gingerbread, and the
weird part OF it is remarked Mrs. Brai-
nard that that particular recipe is one
which fails nearly as often as it succeeds:
all the ingredients have to be absolutely
tirst-class, the molasses in exactly the right
condition. and Sc on. | have never known
green girl TO succeed with II the first
time trying. If mine had failed, you see,
there might never have been Home Deli
cacy Association
The association has never made any at
tempt to compete with the cheaper class of
restaurants. but buys only the purest food
materials not even using ordinary city
water for the purposes of cooking, but
using the pasteurZed exclusively. Mrs
Brainard remarked. by the way. that rail-
roads are the most fastidious and clever
buyers always willing 10 pay first-class
price for a tfrst-class article, while women,
who ought to know best the cost of pure
materials, will frequently haggle for
12-cent pie.
Mrs Brainard rises at 4 or half-past in
the morning. has cup of coffee and does
her best work between then and o'clock
a. m This has been her custom from
childhood and doubtless accounts for the
enormous amount of work that she is able
TO turn off. OF distinguished appearance
always smartly gowned, Mrs. Brainard i'm
presses one as a most remarkable type
being able to- apply her broad and deep
knowledge. discriminating taste, keen and
critical judgment with equal force To lit
erature. science cooking business or to
the practical solving Of knotty social prob
lens.