Chappaqua Girl Scout troop RELEASEs

NEW COOKBOOK AMERICANS COOK!

ENCOURAGING PARENTS TO COOK WITH THEIR KIDS

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Governor George Pataki, President Clinton, Senator Charles E. Schumer, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bobby Flay, and Mario Batali among others contribute to 300-Page nationwide cookbook to raise funds for the Girl Scouts

( NEW YORK , NY ) - Felice Kaufman, leader of 5^th grade Chappaqua Girl Scout Troop # 2738, has just announced the release the troop’s new book Americans Cook! which will help raise funds for her troop and get the message out that cooking is a great way for parents and their kids to spend quality time together.

The first recipe in Americans Cook! is for a mouthwatering Austrian dish called  Kaiserschmarren from Governor Schwarzenegger. As you turn the pages, you see popular and highly esteemed chefs, gorgeous inns you will want to visit if you haven't had the chance, well-known politicians and celebrities, and the smiling faces of the young scouts who contributed.  TV Food’s Ina Garten, Paula Deen, Gale Gand and Curtis Aikens all grace the pages.  Chefs Alice Waters, Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, and all 50 governors are in the book. A short bio under most recipes makes for an interesting read.   “I find that as I show the book around people don’t want to put it down,” said Ms. Kaufman.    "Of course, I hope this whets their appetites and inspires them to cook dinner for their families as well!  Americans Cook! is really working!”

As a newlywed, Felice worked as Production Manager for a uniform manufacturer called Chefwear, in Chicago , IL .  At Chefwear she was introduced to the world of food and began learning how to cook. After becoming an accomplished home cook, she wanted to share her knowledge with other new brides and put her ideas and easiest recipes into a book called So You're Getting Married...and You Don't Know How to Cook. 

Although the book made its way to a major publishing company and the publisher liked it, Felice was told that because she was neither a chef nor an author there was no way they would be able to publish it.  However, by writing the book Felice had gained valuable skills.

In 2003 when the troop overspent their budget, Felice realized that instead of asking the troop parents to make up the shortfall, it was time for the troop to hold its first fundraiser.

Felice knew that it was time to use her skills.  At the time, the town of Chappaqua had become synonymous with its newest residents, the Clintons. What a perfect opportunity to write a book called Chappaqua Cooks! The troop began collecting the troop's favorite recipes, got one from Senator Clinton and one from President Clinton, as well as many of the restaurants and residents of the town.  After gathering as many recipes as possible from the locals, Felice realized the troop had the start of an exciting community cookbook. 

Why just stop in Chappaqua?  Her troop then began writing to some of the biggest chefs in the country and they too were more than willing to contribute to the Girl Scouts.  Then they wrote to all of the US governors, senators, congressmen, many celebrities, food manufacturers and inns across America .  Recipes came pouring in from all over the United States . The troop was thrilled!

Once all of the contributors were in place Felice and the girls had to change the name of the book to Americans Cook! The book wasn't only about Chappaqua anymore!

The illustrations in Americans Cook! were designed by Stacy Claire Boyd of Stacy Claire Boyd Inc., a stationery designer in Birmingham , Alabama .  “I wanted the book to be very approachable so I contacted Stacy, whose work I admire dearly and she was thrilled to be part of the project. I find that many cookbooks are intimidating with fancy photography. Stacy’s illustrations have just the right feel for a project of this nature. They’re perfect,” said Ms. Kaufman.

"My hope is to inspire our readers to cook and eat meals together at home. Cooking is a great activity for children, and a valuable life skill. Family time together is precious and cooking together nourishes the body and soul of a family. Children need to spend time with their parents in a relaxed way, not eating dinner out of a box while racing from one scheduled activity to the next. Perhaps bringing this book into the homes of thousands of Americans my troop can make a difference, by reminding parents that they can teach their children about leadership, social conscience, and reinforce their children's own sense of self-worth, just by spending time together. And this is exactly what the Girl Scouts aim to do," said Ms. Kaufman.

The 300+ recipes are all easy to prepare and have been tested for accuracy.  Recipe submissions that had too many ingredients or were too complicated did not make the cut.  “I want the reader to be able to open the book and look around without being turned off by long and complicated recipes.  This project is about turning parents on to cooking, not frustrating them,” said Ms. Kaufman.

Felice's troop is part of The Girl Scouts of Westchester*Putnam (GSW*P), which is composed of over 17,000 Girl Scouts and 5,000 adult volunteers.  At any given time there are at least a dozen community service projects going on throughout the region.  Thousands of boxes of Girl Scout cookies were sent to our US soldiers in June!  The troops are so appreciative. Additional fund raisers Felice's troop and others do are outlined in the introduction of Americans Cook!

Felice became a delegate to the GSW*P Council last fall and started attending delegate meetings.  She learned how the GSW*P takes really good care of some girls in disadvantaged communities.  Many of the kids are from single parent homes or homeless shelters and would otherwise not be able to afford to participate in the Girl Scout program. The organization provides the girls with uniforms, meals and paid Girl Scout leaders and sends many of them to summer camp, fully outfitted. They make the kids feel special and part of something really important.  There is no doubt the generosity of the GSW*P will influence many of these youngsters into becoming all they can be. Felice took this information back to the troop and they voted unanimously that the revenue from the project will go to the Girl Scouts of Westchester*Putnam.  They really make a difference in the lives of many girls.

For more information on Americans Cook! or to order a copy please visit www.americanscook.com.

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