How Do You Follow Perfection?

Terrie Dodson was chosen to lead the second title in The Junior League of Tampa Culinary Collection. Since the first book had established the format and design this should be a “piece of cake”, right?  Think again. Following the blockbuster and wildly successful Life of the Party just two years later proved to be a big challenge. The good news is that Terrie (and her committee) was up to the task.

This committee was more eclectic in nature than the original Life of the Party team and this presented some decision-making challenges. I remember flying into Tampa on several occasions to meet with this group to serve as a “mediator” of sorts. I don’t mean to say that they didn’t get along, there were simply creative differences that, when all worked out, contrbuted to producing spectacular cookbook as well.

One of the great things about the Culinary Collection is that it has over 400 total recipes, menus and recipes for parties, everyday fare, all holidays and regional favorites of the Tampa area. Everyday Feasts was the title chosen for book two and the idea was to share a collection of recipes that were general enough in nature to work for families, both large and small, every day of the year. They chose a pleasing green accent color and the “pineapple” as the icon for their book.

Each book in the series contains approximately 100 recipes; however the task for great recipes to choose from got tougher with each title beginning with Everyday Feasts because most League members felt they had submitted their BEST recipe for Life of the Party. This proved not to be true as each title is chock full of great dishes.  Again, Kristie Salzar worked with the committee to oversee the food styling and they used the same photographer, Rob Adamo, for a consistent food look.

Another key success ingredient that has been a result of the Culinary Collection is the development of the League leadership through training of their volunteer members. In fact, several chairs of the actual new development or the marketing chair on in between years has moved to a leadership position within the League including several League Presidents.  The League commits 40 members each year to its marketing efforts in addition to an additional 8-10 during new title development years. You see, they treat this as any other special event and it pays off in funds developed and used to improve their community.

Friendships and Cookbooks

As The Life of The Party was blossoming, so did my friendship with Danielle and Kristie. Interestingly, my youngest daughter, Emily, chose to attend The University of Tampa; since she was only 17 throughout her first year, I recruited Danielle and Kristie to be surrogate “Aunts” during her college career. Moreover, there was at least one occasion where I had to call on Aunt Danielle to accompany Emily to a doctor visit. Along the way, Emily even helped her Aunts out by babysitting occasionally.

While this story is about the League and its community, the point I am making is that these community cookbooks are responsible for so many relationships, partnerships, and good. For example, through these books the League recruits retail storeowners to support their fund raising efforts by carrying the books. These books serve as a billboard for the Junior League in their support of improving the lives of children in the foster care system, providing educational programs that promote literacy, and offer cultural enrichment and increasing access to basic needs services for disadvantaged children. Through the Junior League of Tampa Culinary Collection over $300,000 have been invested back into the community.

The theme of The Life of the Party is entertaining. It is unique in that it allows the host to be an integral part of the social affair, rather than spending all of their time in the kitchen. The book contains 100 party recipes as well as party menus, color photographs, and tips for party planning. Kristie Salzar was instrumental in the entire series in the food styling for the food photography. Plus, she has submitted many “yummy” recipes to the collection. The League recently honored Kristie for her work over on The Culinary Collection.

While each committee had different challenges, the cookbook committee had some BIG assignments to tackle. Since we were publishing a series, the decisions on this first title affected all others down the line. For example, a mast for the title was created that would have to work well imposed over future cover shots. A design and format was chosen that would be utilized for the other books, and yet needed some elements that would be unique to each. I am so proud of the effort and teamwork that this first committee exhibited to create a legacy for the Junior League of Tampa.

The next post will focus on Everyday Feasts as well as developing the potential of women and training of volunteers through the cookbook efforts.