Gini Youngkrantz, Author

Gini was born in the historical city of Heidelberg, Germany in May 1944.  Her Father became a casualty of the War in August the same year. Her Mother raised her and her sister in Gini’s Grandmother’s apartment. At the age of four her Grandmother began seeking her assistance to prepare the meals. Three years later her Grandmother passed away leaving the meal preparation solely to Gini while her Mother worked.

Upon completion of high school Gini went to hotel school where she learned to prepare meals professionally. During vacations she applied her skills at the hotel Gelterswoog. The experience further polished her abilities to prepare the best tasting meals.

In 1963 she met her husband who was in the United States Army and stationed in Heidelberg. After marrying the following year she found herself busily serving Americans whom enjoyed her meals and frequently asked her and her husband to provide them her recipes. Since her husband was a career soldier she continually met and entertained new crowds of Americans always being asked to share her recipes. After her husband retired the idea of her cookbook became a reality.

Famous Heidelberg Schloss

Heidelberg, Germany

In 1985 her husband suggested she consider publishing her recipes because of the many requests she received from her American friends. Although she was skeptical at first she managed to publish a small book of over seventy recipes, which she sold almost 1,000 copies. Her first break came when the Times Publishing Company wrote a full page color article on Gini’s cooking knowledge and her resultant book. After receiving over 200 orders she progressed to the second edition. The second edition was much larger and added common German sayings translated into English. The Stars and Stripes bookstores test marketed this edition with great success. In 1989 Gini did an autograph tour during her 25th wedding anniversary. Gini was dumbfounded that people brought their used cookbooks for her signature. She also was surprised at the interest many Germans had for her book because of the English measurements. She received many requests for individuals’ favorite recipes, which led to the third and most recent fourth editions and assured her mark in history as both an excellent cook and author.

Today Gini lives in Colorado City and is pursuing the publication of a second cookbook just devoted to bake goods. This new book is being written to satisfy the many requests from her books’ readers.