The City of Renton has an unknown gem residing here who is an American Master of Fruitcake Baking.

My wife has the pleasure to work with a Korean War veteran whose kind wife annually gives us an outstanding fruitcake. Mind you, this is no ordinary fruitcake of the much-maligned, fruitcake-joke genre; no, this is world-class fare that should be heralded as a treasure, adding to the achievements of Renton’s talented residents.

First a little background: I know of which I speak, having been raised a Southerner, where pecans are grown and common in quality baked goods. Both pecan pie and fruitcake are Southern American specialties.

So many fruitcake jokes have arisen from the dearth of low-quality cheaply-made, raisin heavy, sloppy fruitcakes that many unfortunate Americans simply have never eaten a good one. That’s too bad, as great American traditions should be preserved and passed on.

Enter Mrs. Betty Joss of Renton. Her fruitcake actually surpasses the world-famous Corsicana Texas variety, and that is saying a lot. Why? It’s simply better.

Though they are hard to tell apart if blindfolded, there is no HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) in it – among other things – and only natural sugar. The Joss fruitcake still has the plethora of pecans, candied fruit and the perfect balance of ingredients. But it is all natural and so good in fact that I no longer order Texas fruitcake since her creation is better, in fact, it’s a masterpiece. Her offering could become a commercial success if correctly marketed, and it should be.

Thank you, Betty and Don.

K. & C. Rossman,

Newcastle