Looking for a global gift for someone you love? Perhaps for an upcoming holiday? I've got the perfect thing for you. Eleni's Cookies, located in NYC, is well-known for their custom, hand-iced Conversation Cookies. With the Language of Love cookie set, you'll discover 10 heart-shaped cookies, with I Love You in ten different languages! Isn't this genius?

The cookies are baked in a nut-free bakery, and are kosher certified. But do they taste good? The answer is YES. These are crispy ginger cookies that delight - they are light, delicately flavored, and speak to me with love, especially when accompanied by a cup of coffee.

I so enjoyed these cookies - and the intercultural thoughts behind them - that I reached out to the founder of Eleni's Cookies, Eleni herself. She began her career in the media world working at the venerable Time Inc., eventually moving into the editorial division of Life Magazine. Through a twist of fate, Eleni, who had a passion for baking, began a small catering business in her apartment. What began as a side business featuring Eleni's mother's famous oatmeal-raisin cookies quickly outgrew her home and evolved into a full-fledged cookie empire.

Since 1997, Eleni's New York has been a must-stop at Manhattan's iconic Chelsea Market, later followed by an expansive website, where irresistibly designed custom "Conversation Cookies TM" and other treats await for fans located around the world. Today, Eleni's custom cookie creations are a favorite of celebrities, luxury brands, Fortune 500 companies and cookie lovers alike.

Today, Eleni lives in Manhattan's Upper East Side with her husband of twenty years, Randall, children William & Sophia, and the family's two King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, Chester & Lovey.

Here's what she had to say...

Please tell us how you started Eleni's Cookies...

Out of my tiny Upper East Side apartment. I decided to start a cookie company and went to the grocery store, bought some ingredients, created a business card, and walked into Graces Market Place and asked them if they would like to test and buy my Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, and I was in business.

 
What influences your cookie shapes?

Art, fashion, items in my home, animals, magazine articles, books, clothing, cars…you name it, literally anything and everything around me.
 
The cookies are so artistic - how do you design (and have a team) create them?

I have a very talented group of artists who design cookies all day. Sales and Marketing provide ideas, the Decorating team bring their own ideas to the table, and I pull a ton of inspiration (tear sheets, scribbles on napkins, back of envelope) for every season and occasion and the icers turn it into cookie magic.

Cookie magic
 
Global cookies are a genius idea. The Language of Love cookies - what inspired that series?  

Being in NYC, we are surrounded by so many incredible cultures and languages and this was just a small way of saying how much we love the diversity and melting pot of NYC.

Thank you, Eleni. What a great story - and delicious cookies!

Still need a Valentine's gift for people you love? These will be cherished, eaten with gusto, with even the crumbs picked up. You can get them via mail, if you're not in NYC. This is how they arrive, in the box:

Learn more: http://elenis.com/