Twist It Up: More Than 60 Delicious Recipes from an Ins… (2024)

Young Chef Jack will inspire older kids to get into the kitchen and make some magic. His passion for cooking began in the hospital at age six, as he was battling a relapse of childhood leukemia. One day, he happened upon the Food Network and ever since he has followed his passion to become a chef himself. Today 12 year old Chef Jack is happy and optimistic that his treatments will keep him healthy. The sales of this cookbook benefit pediatric leukemia research. Our school’s cooking teacher and some of her students reviewed Twist It Up and give it a definite thumbs up. The Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges were delicious and crispy without being fried. Another rainy winter day they tried the Norwegian Pancakes. The kids especially enjoyed filling the pancakes with jam and then rolling them. While this book doesn’t have an emphasis on whole grains or seasonal fruits and vegetables, it does get kids excited about cooking. The mouthwatering photographs and Jack’s personal stories pull readers into this cookbook again and again.

Twist It Up – More than 60 Delicious Recipes from an Inspiring Young Chef by Jack Witherspoon with Lisa Witherspoon – Here is a recipe book that I brought home to browse over the summer. Somehow there were two copies of this in my library collection so I wanted to see why it was special enough to purchase two… I enjoyed the variety of the recipes and drooled over a few of them but honestly, this book is for a child who has already baked and cooked for a few years OR for an adult who has more cooking/baking patience than I do. Great recipes though!

This sat on our kitchen counter for three months and we never cooked anything out of it. Either the recipes were too self-evident (pasta with pesto) or they kind of didn't look very good (Jack's chili is made with ground turkey, onions, seasoning and not much else). Or they're all-day things - White Chicken Chili wants a whole roast chicken, skinned, boned, and meat shredded.

Pictures show Jack out surfing with his family, on a picnic, and with his karate class, as well as preparing food.

This was a nice cookbook but what made it really wonderful was it was put together by an 8 year old cancer survivor. During his treatments he watched the food network and was inspired. Like any good chef he went to the kitchen and tasted, tried, failed and tried again until he got it right. There are a few great recipes in here like the mini Cesar salad.

Young leukemia patient latches on to Food Network and fins his purpose. Narrated with his personal story the recipes are good practical family food liked baked apples, brownies, cupcakes and icing. Great uplifting story- good food -well illustrated with photos. I got the Kindle one but I will be purchasing hard copies for young friends.

This is the cutest kid in the entire world and he is from Redondo Beach! I love all of the pictures of him with his surfboard at the beach. His story is amazing and he has such a positive outlook. Also, his recipes really look like recipes I would use! He is a star!

This is an inspirational story and a generous project. I hope that it raises both awareness and money for treatment.

this kid is soooo inspiring. bought his book for his charity, kids with cancer. Please

Some great recipes in here made by a super inspiring young chef. Glad we stumbled across this at the library.

Here's a quote from the author -

"Remember, 99% of everything we do depends on us believing we can!"

Words to live by!

The prologue is what hooked me forever! We're all here for a reason!

I've only made the Turkey Stroganoff so far, but it was really good. Good job, Jack!

Not a bad recipe in it!

Very inspirational and the food looks great. If my kids were younger, I'd pick up my own copy in a heartbeat. I still may do so, as these are by no means just kiddie recipes.

Review to follow soon.

Twist it up

Lots of inspiration in this book. Both in jack and his recipes. Food friendly cooking for kids and adults. Loved this cookbook.

some REALLY good looking and fun recipes in here that I want to try for myself

This book would be a great gift for your young chef! Lots of tips and tasty, plus easy, recipes.