Cookbooks may not seem like an interesting literary genre to some people, but to others, it is fascinating. Did you know that in this country some 65 million copies of the Betty Crocker cookbook have been sold, making it the top-selling cookbook of all time? In 1950 when it made its public appearance it became a national best-seller even selling more copies that year than the Bible. 

Here is a new one.

After several years in the making, the 40th Anniversary Guinea Jubilee Cookbook makes its debut Sunday at Guinea Heritage Day, starting at 2 p.m. in Achilles Elementary School. One day only! It then goes under cover and will make its second appearance at the 40th Guinea Jubilee at the end of the month.

Chaired by Melissa Ashe, the committee with the help of others and with recipes on hand that Della Grinnell had collected before her death, has created a book offering 935 many, many times tested recipes. Some have been passed from generation to generation. Written history reflects the origins of many recipes. From cover to cover, this book reflects the history of cooking where the people and traditions are renowned,

The book contains 13 sections. Each section features a local color picture that introduces 67 pages of appetizers and beverages, 119 of soups and salads, 103 of vegetables and side dishes, 89 of main dishes, 100 pages of seafood, 75 of desserts, 145 of cakes, 78 of pies, 41 of cookies and candy, 19 for large crowds, 29 for this-and-that, and 12 for breakfast. There were 250 people sharing these recipes. It is indexed both by recipe titles and names of contributors. Once you open the beautiful cover depicting the waters of Guinea in color (the Lorraine anchored at Browns Bay leisurely awaiting its morning work day), there is another surprise on the introduction page. 

The 40th Anniversary Guinea Jubilee Cookbook, 364 plus pages, will sell for $25.

Note: Facts taken from “600 Year History of Cookbooks” and “History of Recipes.”

A few samples of the old and new recipes that will be found in the 40th Anniversary Jubilee Cookbook.