10 Finalists from Our 2013 Contest
Try It, You’ll Like It – 1st Place Winner
Jewish Women’s Initiative
Los Angeles, CA
This eye-catching cookbook gets your mouth watering with vivid photography and cherished recipes from Jewish mothers and grandmothers. The Jewish Women’s Initiative works to empower Jewish moms and transform Jewish communities in L.A., one recipe at a time. Personal pages are used to encourage the reader to explore new recipes and new experiences in life, reemphasizing the cookbook’s title. Try It, You’ll Like It features many Jewish recipes, such as Zucchini Kugel, Challah, and Mandelbread, in an effort to rekindle Jewish values and traditions. The cookbook capitalizes on bringing the family together through appetizing recipes and memories of sitting down to a meal together.
Proceeds Support: Jewish Women’s Initiative education and travel programs
Cookbook Gross Sales: $17,400
Group’s Web Site: www.aishla.com
The Berkeley Hall Cooking Experience
Berkeley Hall Charity Fund
Bluffton, SC
The Berkeley Hall Cooking Experience is a cookbook with recipes as varied as the charities for which it raised funds. With a vision as straightforward as their cookbook, the Berkeley Hall Charity Funds have assisted countless lives with a desire to initiate change and make a difference. Unique recipe subcategories, such as “Thirst Quencher” or “International Dishes,” make finding the perfect recipe a breeze. Flipping through the cookbook is a pleasant experience as vivid photographs highlight the beautiful Berkeley Hall grounds. This cookbook is truly a decadent experience.
Proceeds Support: Various community charities (Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Bluffton Self Help, Memory Matters, and Neighborhood Outreach Connection, etc.)
Cookbook Gross Sales: $14,500
Group’s Web Site: www.berkeleyhallclub.com
Tonto Verde Cooks!
Tonto Verde Association
Rio Verde, AZ
Not Available
Containing over 500 pages, this massive cookbook was the perfect fundraiser for a group who has built relationships around sharing food. Tonto Verde Cooks! is the culmination of a golf course retirement/vacation community group that wanted to share recipes while benefitting a worthy cause. Beautiful custom dividers featuring desert flowers lead you through favorite recipes that come from residents with roots all across the country. The custom index is alphabetized not only by category, but also by ingredient, so whether you’re looking for a specific dish, or need a recipe to utilize leftover chicken, you’ll find what you’re looking for. The impressive funds raised were donated to a mobile medical screening service that offers exams for the early detection of prostate cancer.
Proceeds Support: Prostate On-Site Project
Cookbook Gross Sales: $48,236
Group’s Web Site: www.tontoverde.org
Cooking with Friends of the North Suffolk Circle
North Suffolk Circle of The King’s Daughters
Suffolk, VA
The women of The King’s Daughters poured as much love into their cookbook as they do into their work with The Children’s Hospital. The pages are filled with photographs of various examples of volunteer work and projects done to support the hospital. Divider backs include photos and stories honoring children who have been treated at the hospital. This cookbook will warm your heart while you fill your belly with one of the many delightful recipes it contains. Cooking with Friends truly makes you feel like you are cooking with women who could be your friends.
Proceeds Support: Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters
Cookbook Gross Sales: $17,280
Web Article: www.kingsdaughters.org
Decade of Dining – 2nd Place Winner
Dining for Women
Greenville, SC
Not Available
Decade of Dining celebrates the 10th anniversary of an organization that raises funds to empower women in some of the poorest parts of the world. Beautiful photos on dividers tell stories of how women across the world have been impacted. Food is important to Dining for Women, because their monthly meeting involves a potluck. Their desire to share delicious recipes has overflowed into this cookbook that tells heart-warming stories of change. Decade of Dining serves as a poignant reminder to be thankful for all we have and what we can do for those in need.
Proceeds Support: Various programs to help women and girls worldwide
Cookbook Gross Sales: $34,720
Group’s Web Site: www.diningforwomen.org
Tidal Tables - Recipes of the Local Kitchens of Amelia Island & Fernandina Beach, FL
St. Michael Academy PTA
Fernandina Beach, FL
Tidal Tables is a true community collaboration, involving not only the school’s students and families, but also parishoners and community members. St. Michael Academy students were incredibly involved in the sales of their cookbooks, taking an active part in supporting their school. The custom cookbook dividers hold stunning images of historic community homes. Custom recipe categories include “Shrimply Delicious,” as well as sections filled with “Students’ Favorites” and “Recipes by Local Chefs.” The money raised will be used to upgrade the school’s physical education program.
Proceeds Support: St. Michael Academy
Cookbook Gross Sales: $17,200
Group’s web site: www.edline.net/pages/St_Michael_Academy
Dragon Bites
Arcola Elementary School PTA
Aldie, VA
Dragon Bites is a charming reflection of the school that put the cookbook together. Custom dividers exhibit the spirit of the students through their creative dragon artwork. More than 450 recipes were contributed by staff, parents, and students, providing a well-rounded selection. To preserve the heritage of their school that began as a one-room schoolhouse, the PTA of Arcola Elementary has worked hard to support the school as it has grown, and this cookbook is just one of their many fundraising projects. Money raised was used to build a track for the students and purchase iPads for the classrooms.
Proceeds Support: Arcola Elementary School track fund
Cookbook Gross Sales: $5,215
Group’s Web Site: cmsweb2.lcps.org/arcola
Cedarwood Gumbo – 3rd Place Winner
Cedarwood School Parents’ Club
Mandeville, LA
Cedarwood Gumbo will have you craving all the flavors the south has to offer. A local artist created an eye-catching cover and local restaurants contributed recipes and photographs for beautiful custom dividers. There is even a section filled with recipes from celebrity chefs, such as Louisianna natives Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse. With recipes like Zesty “Slap Ya Mama” In-Law Crab Dip and Chile Shrimp Tacos, this cookbook is a pearl to own. Cedarwood School is strongly committed to philanthropy and encourages students to give back as well. A portion of the funds raised were donated to a local food bank.
Proceeds Support: Cedarwood School & Covington Food Bank
Cookbook Gross Sales: $10,015
Group’s Web Site: www.cedarwoodschool.com
Cooking with Lewes Friends
The Friends of the Lewes Public Library
Lewes, DE
Cooking with Lewes Friends is the product of inspiring community-wide collaboration to support the public library. Organizations such as the Lewes Fire Department, Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, Farmers’ Market, and more came together to create this cherished community cookbook. The dividers feature photos of various organizations, groups, events, and scenery from around the community. “Dine Around Town” is a unique recipe category with contributions from local restaurants. A team of 28 volunteers put the cookbook together, and the cookbooks were sold at venues and events throughout the town. The Lewes Public Library is a fixture in Lewes, and the community came together to ensure it could continue in its mission for many years to come.
Proceeds Support: Lewes Public Library outreach, books, and programs
Cookbook Gross Sales: $30,460
Group’s Web Site: www.leweslibrary.org
After the Blessing - Our Faith, Our Food , Our Delta
Helena United Methodist Women
Helena, AR
After the Blessing offers more than 880 recipes contained between beautifully illustrated covers and dividers that profile the stained-glass windows of this historic church. The United Methodist Women wanted to record not only church history but also signature recipes that are well-loved in the area. Their community pride is evident in the care they took in putting together this cookbook, even including a recipe category called “Delta Hospitality” with recipes for Hush Puppies, Fried Pies, and Gumbo. The money raised helps to support local programs, such as “Food for Kids” which provides meals for needy children over the weekend. After the Blessing was definitely a labor of love that is a treasure to own.
Proceeds Support: Mission projects and aid for needy children and families
Cookbook Gross Sales: $15,960