New Albany Cooking with Friends
News Release

March 4, 2008                                                                     For Immediate Release
                                                           

Contact:  Mia Johansson-Strench
Marketing/Media Relations Chair
Cookbook Co-Chair

Phone:  (614) 855-6841
Mobile:  (614) 557-2755
Fax:  (614) 939-0085
Email:  info@nacookingwithfriends.com

Ohio Cookbook Selected as Best in the Midwest!
New Albany Cooking with Friends “A Signature Collection” Honored with Tabasco Award

NEW ALBANY, Ohio—The New Albany Cooking with Friends cookbook, A Signature Collection has been named the Midwest regional winner in the 18th annual Tabasco Community Cookbook Awards competition. First established by McIlhenny Company in 1989, the Tabasco Awards program is the only program solely created to recognize cookbooks published for fund-raising purposes by non-profit organizations and to recognize the role these books play in chronicling and preserving America’s rich culinary history. Thousands of cookbooks are entered into the competition and three national and six regional winners are selected. As a regional winner, New Albany Cooking with Friends will receive a $500 cash prize and will be presented with a distinctive dinner plate plaque, personalized for the organization, as well as award stickers for the books.
New Albany Cooking with Friends is a nonprofit cooking club founded in 2001 in an effort to connect women in New Albany, Ohio. Members share a passion for cooking and enjoy exploring the culinary arts, learning new techniques, and sharing family recipes during their monthly gatherings. The group embarked on the cookbook project in 2005 and published the book in 2007 with financial support provided by key sponsors led by the New Albany Company as the Premier Partner.
A Signature Collection takes readers on exciting culinary adventures around the world while highlighting the unique and beautiful Georgian-inspired village of New Albany and surrounding areas. This attractive hardcover features an exceptional array of 200 recipes from the cooking club's archives and a wide range of thematic menu selections, from A Jaunt through Southeast Asia to Dining à la Provence. It also showcases original artwork by noted Columbus artist, George Acock, and stunning full-color photographs.
“This book is a celebration of our community and the diverse group of women who make up Cooking with Friends. We are honored that our book was chosen the Midwest Regional Winner” said Marilu Faber, founder of the cooking club.”
“New Albany Cooking with Friends feels strongly about giving back to the community. Proceeds from sales and sponsorships benefit the Mid-Ohio FoodBank as well as local organizations New Albany Safety Town and New Albany Special Connections”, said Mia Johansson-Strench, cookbook co-chair.
“A Signature Collection is truly a wonderful representation of the village of New Albany and the community spirit that thrives here", said New Albany Mayor Nancy Ferguson.
For further information or to purchase the cookbook, please visit:  nacookingwithfriends.com or call (614) 775-9114. For more information about the Tabasco Community Cookbook Awards, contact Kris Ann Brady (kbrady@hunterpr.com) or Mike Surabian (msurabian@hunterpr.com) at (212) 679-6600.