What's cookin'?

For those of us who use and love the Service League of Natchitoches cookbooks, "Cane River Cuisine" and "Louisiana Living," we can look forward to another one in the future.

Eliza Brittain Behrendsen e-mails us that both of those books are almost out of print, yet still in high demand from the public. (I can certainly understand why for they are, indeed, wonderful.)

"Both cookbooks were printed using antiquated typeset and with today’s technology cannot be reproduced for less than it will take to produce a whole new cookbook. Our publisher has agreed to absorb the costs of digitizing the older ones if we produced a new one," e-mailed Behrendsen.

Was that an offer they could not refuse or what.

Anyway, the League is working on "Steel magnolias in the Kitchen: A Journey Through Cane River’s Heritage and the Mystery of Southern Charm."

"Steel Magnolias" author and Natchitoches native son has been generous in his support of allowing the group to use this title," said Behrendsen. "His mother, Margaret Harling, will be one of the ladies featured in this cookbook."
Others: Behrendsen’s mom — and my friend — the late Ann Williams Brittain, Marie-Therese of Melrose Plantation, artist Clementine Hunter and author Kate Chopin.

The group also seeks stories of people, events and memories of special meals shared with family and friends and special memories or anecdotes to share that relate to either of the previous cookbooks.

"We ask that you try to incorporate the food served, the setting and/or conversations as it relates to our community’s heritage and the Southern charm of the women who bring it all together," said Behrendsen.

Oh, yes, and they are looking for cookbook sponsors.

Information or questions: e-mail gbehrendsen@yahoo.com.