Judson College turns recipe favorites into book

French chocolate silk pie, homemade rolls and reception punch often accompany classic cuisines at Judson College events. For decades, Judson students, staff and supporters have enjoyed these tasty treats, and now others have an opportunity to learn the secrets of preparing these and other school favorites.
   
Earlier this year, the college alumnae association released “Tastes and Traditions of ‘The Judson,’” a 208-page hardbound cookbook featuring 300 recipes contributed by nine decades of Judson alumnae. 
   
Filled with colorful photos and interesting facts, the book also includes historical information on the college, the Marion area and Alabama Baptists.
   
“Good food has always been a tradition at Judson both in the dining hall, receptions and other college events,” said Anne Shumaker, a cookbook committee member. 
   
“We wanted to do a project that would not just be a one-time fundraiser but a continuing project that would benefit the alumnae association and school for many years,” she said.
   
Planning for the cookbook began in 2000 but was interrupted briefly after 9/11, according to Betty Ann Colburn, co-chair of the cookbook committee.
   
“We soon began to solicit recipes via e-mail and at alumnae meetings,” she said in a Judson press release. “We collected recipes until January 2004 and ended up with over 1,000.”
   
“Many of the recipes are original recipes from alumnae and staff, and many have been passed down through the generations of the families of alumnae,” Shumaker added.
   
To narrow the entries, recipes were grouped and sent to alumnae chapters across the state for alumnae to select their top three picks. Then recipes were presented in the book in meal format, according to Shumaker.
   
“We wanted to emphasize the various events in the college’s academic year,” she said. “For that reason, recipes were selected that would be appropriate for a meal to celebrate each of those special occasions.
   
“The menus provide recipes for Sunday dinners, receptions, morning coffees, tailgate picnics, afternoon teas, formal teas, luncheons, garden parties, brunches, weddings and parties for friends and colleagues,” Shumaker said. “The recipes range from ‘festive to simple and from elegant to casual,’ according to one cookbook committee member.”
   
Carol May, committee co-chair, added that the project continuously displayed God’s timing. “We never lost interest; in fact, the delays clarified and refined our direction,” she said in the press release. “It all happened for the best, and we actually did the book in less than one year after we got started.”
   
The alumnae association was so pleased with interest in this project that there are plans to release a second cookbook in the future using the remaining recipes. For information or to order a cookbook, contact the alumnae office at 334-683-5167 or jmitchell@judson.edu.