My First Product Review!

About a month and a half ago, a very nice man, Daniel DeMoss of the PR firm Manning, Selvage & Lee, contacted me asking if I’d like to test a product from one of their clients. Specifically, parchment paper made by Reynolds. I was very interested so I sent him my address and waited patiently for my package of Reynolds’ parchment paper to arrive. 'kay so remember how I said things were a bit chaotic back in November-December? Well, I realized at that time that I did, indeed, own a brain. But I only realized that lil gem after I had misplaced said brain so many times. Gah. And one of those times would be right after I ripped open the box – I forgot to take photos. AND I pretty much forgot to take photos through my whole cookie baking experience.. go me! But what arrived was a rather large round cookie tin. Inside was the sample of pre-cut sheets of the parchment paper as well as a few cookie recipes. My first impression when I saw the sample paper was this: “Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” Yeah, I know.. it doesn’t take much. But I really was quite excited, because the answer to my parchment paper prayers had finally come true! Pre-cut sheets! No more trying to slice a sheet off the roll that comes in those flimsy boxes! Truly, that is my biggest pet peeve when I’m baking.. knowing I'll have to wrestle the box to get the paper out. Drives me cah-rassseeeee! At that point, I decided to e-mail Daniel and ask if this is the way Reynolds was going to market their paper. Alas, he said no. :( It was just pre-cut for the sample, but I'd have to continue buying the roll from my supermarket. Bummer. Well, I managed to find time to bake my cookies a couple days later (and by a couple, I mean 2 weeks later) and although I did not bake the cookie recipes that came with the parchment paper sample, I did bake for 2 days straight and I did use the heck out of that paper. I remember back before I discovered parchment paper and how amazed I was once I used it the first time. Not one cookie spot-welded to the cookie sheet. Now that was a beautiful sight. Benne wafers awaiting the oven So yeah, this wasn't my first rodeo with Reynolds' parchment paper. It's the parchment paper I have been buying for years. I love this paper and won't bake without it. But that's kinda boring and there IS something I wish would change to make this awesome product even better and that's… The packaging is not a good thing, as my idol The Martha, would say. The box is too flimsy to be able to get a clean cut easily. I understand that the paper needs to come in rolls for there are some uses when you need a lot of it.. but cookie baking is a HUGE part of the home baker's repertoire and I know I'd be VERY GRATEFUL for pre-cut sheets that I could just slap on my cookie sheets without having to wrestle the box, nicking my finger in the process. I also think pre-cut common sized rounds of the paper for cake pans would also be fabulous as well. So if I'm thinking this, then there MUST be other home bakers who feel the same way, yes? No? Is it just me and my ease in finding something wrong with just about everything? Nah.. there are plenty of things I think are just perfect they way they are. So here's where you come in, friends! Leave a comment about how you feel about Reynolds' parchment paper if you've used it. If you haven't used it yet.. run out and get yourself some, whip up some chocolate chip cookies (I can send my address if you want to get rid of them) and then chime in! It doesn't have to be about the packaging.. it doesn't have to be about something you dislike or wish that could be better.. it can be a big sloppy wet kiss because you love Reynolds and their rascally paper. :D Or not.. whot-evah, kids. What's important is that your opinion counts and Mr. DeMoss and his firm want to hear what you've got to say. So let's hear it! A great big THANK YOU! to Daniel and MS & L for asking me to participate in this review. I enjoyed it and honestly am happy I could share my opinion. :) xoxo