“You mean to tell me you haven’t met Sister yet?”
Many an Atlanta hostess has asked that question when praised for her dinner rolls.
“We make close to five million rolls a day,” said Patricia Schubert Barnes, known since childhood as “Sister” and now the force behind Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls, available in most every frozen food case in Atlanta and across much of the United States.
Barnes has published “Cast Your Bread Upon The Waters” (Cornerstone Marketing, $40), a collection of what she calls “recipes for success, cooking and living.” She’ll be in Atlanta on Saturday, signing her book and talking with fans at Bound to Be Read Books in East Atlanta Village.
Her visit is among events surrounding the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Atlanta. In an afternoon conversation from her home in Andalusia, Ala., Barnes talked about her book and her business.
Q: What’s the connection between Sister Schubert and Civil War history?
A: "One of the things I believe strongly is that if we don't know where we came from, how will we know where we're going?" Barnes said. Her Barnes Family Foundation is involved in historic restoration projects including the Pioneer Museum of Alabama in Troy and the restoration of an 1867 home now open as a bed and breakfast.
Q: Why this book?
A: "I really think I've had a Cinderella story in the grocery business and this is a time when we need to hear success stories. What happened for me can happen for others, and the book is my way of sharing and encouraging others," she said. It was also her way to honor the memory of her grandmother, whose recipe for "Everlasting Rolls" became the foundation for Barnes' business.
Q: Why share the recipes for her rolls?
A: "How could I do a cookbook and not include our rolls? They're the heart and soul of our business. Besides, once you spend four hours making them, you're going to realize that the ones you buy from us are just as good, and you only needed to put them in the oven for 20 minutes," Barnes said and laughed.
Q: What’s cooking in the test kitchens?
A: Barnes remains in charge of research and development for all new products and she's excited about their plans for a new cheese roll and heart-healthy yeast rolls made with olive oil.
Q: Does she still make the rolls for her family?
A: "I don't do the rolls because I can get those from our bakery. I do bring home the dough and make loaves of bread from them. Of course there was that one Christmas where our bakers wouldn't let me take rolls home because we didn't even have enough for our customers. I made rolls then," Barnes said.
And just a note: I tested the Everlasting Rolls recipe from Barnes’ book, and they were just as good as the ones you buy at the grocery store. So the choice is yours – four hours vs. 20 minutes.
Event preview
Patricia Schubert Barnes (Sister Schubert) signing her book, "Cast Your Bread Upon The Waters." 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Free; free parking. Bound to be Read Books, 481-B Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta. 404-522-0877 www.boundtobereadbooks.com
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