Kol Chai finds lockdown success with innovative cookbook
Kol Chai Reform Synagogue launches its 2nd ‘Good Nosh Guide’ this month – a Community recipe book that’s been a year in the making.
Over 90 recipes are included, reflecting a huge diversity of family heritage and tradition. From South African fish balls to Pie from Provence or Austrian Vanilla Kipferl, there is inspiration for everyday meals, Shabbat and festivals.
The book also includes some celebrity contributions, with recipes from renowned chef Adam Handling, two members of cabaret group Fascinating Aïda and professional cake maker Julia May.
The first (black and white) edition of The Good Nosh Guide appeared 17 years ago with a foreword by Rabbi Lionel Blue. This 2021 edition has three new attractions: it is a full colour publication, it includes healthy eating tips from KC member and nutritionist Linda Munster and it is illustrated with paintings and drawings submitted by children in the Community. Michael Cahillane, Artist and Building Manager at Kol Chai, painted the cover illustration.
Kol Chai’s Rabbi Naomi Goldman sums it up in her foreword:
“Food is at the heart of Jewish Culture … 2020-21 has been a time when the emotional value of sharing a meal with friends or family has become that much clearer through its temporary loss … Truly a community that eats together stays together!”.
Sales of the 2nd GNG are already going well and will raise money to support our building refurbishment (the heart of this project is, appropriately, an expanded kitchen) and a donation will be made to Kol Chai’s charity of the year, the Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service.
Conceived as a much-needed lockdown distraction by Vivien Collins in 2020, The 2nd GNG was produced by a team of eight Kol Chai members, working together remotely to extract something memorable and cheering from a year without normal Community contact.
L to R: The Kol Chai GNG TEAM: Peter Lewy, Michael Collins, Linda Munster, Janet Lipton, Jackie Fagan, Milly Lewy, Pauline Grant, Michael Cahillane, Peter Gartenberg and front, Vivian Collins. Not pictured: Bette Fraser.
