Two New Philanthropic Colorado Cookbooks Support Local Restaurants
With the many challenges faced across the board due to the pandemic, the food and restaurant industry was struck with particularly unique obstacles. Communities have rallied together to support their beloved restaurants and local chefs, as represented by these two philanthropic Colorado cookbooks. Dig in!
A Bite of Boulder
Jessica Benjamin believes food is love. As a Boulder-based foodie, event producer and mother of two, Benjamin saw how hard restaurants have been hit by the global pandemic, inspiring a generous project born straight from her heart.
She is the producer of First Bite, an annual event highlighting Boulder County’s dining scene, and decided to create a cookbook in lieu of First Bite’s Boulder Country Restaurant Week this year. The robust effort of creativity and collaboration has already created a buzz, inviting diners from all over the state and beyond to rally around Boulder County restaurants.
A Bite of Boulder cookbook will be released this fall. Jaunt Media Collective, the media company behind YOGA + Life Magazines and Spoke+Blossom Magazine, is working with Benjamin as the publisher on this exciting project.
Over 40 recipes of appetizers, entrees, sides desserts and cocktails are photographed by Christina Kiffney.
In collaboration with Society Insurance and Downtown Boulder Partnership, each of the 30 participating restaurants will receive 25 complimentary copies of the book. At least 50 percent of the proceeds from book sales will be split evenly between all participating restaurants.
The Aspen Cookbook
The Aspen Cookbook was created as a community fundraiser for local restaurants affected by COVID. Produced by YPN (Young Professionals Network) Aspen, a subcommittee of the Aspen Board of Realtors, all proceeds from book sales directly benefit their grant programs.
Amanda Rae Busch, editor of The Aspen Cookbook, says her goal was to tell the story of Aspen through its beloved dishes. As an award-winning magazine journalist and Aspen Times Weekly food columnist since 2013, Busch has peeked over the shoulders of hundreds of chefs, farmers and artisans to discover the true essence of local food.
Inside the 164-page book are more than 100 favorite recipes from 69 local chefs and restaurants in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. Additionally, designer and illustrator Julia Bridgforth provided 24 colorful illustrations for certain dishes in the cookbook.
The Aspen Cookbook is a colorful feast that celebrates local food and the community of Aspen.