I love the idea of food swaps, progressive dinners and cookbook clubs. Sharing the love of good food with friends and community is fun and beneficial: we are able to try new recipes and ideas with the bonus of meeting new people and possibly lifelong friends. The whole idea of The Cookbook Junkies was to share – ideas, recipes, cookbook thoughts and support each other’s “habit” as well as a sense of community for me when my son, Andrew was a toddler with autism. It was incredibly lonely during those first years and truthfully, continues to be.
Emily Paster, who I met through my group, is the author of the blog, West of the Loop, and co-founder of the Chicago Food Swap. Her debut cookbook, Food Swap, is devoted to sharing her secrets to starting a swap community as well as her specialty recipes for bartering, sharing and giving. Bonus: the book includes the world’s best salted caramel sauce (photo below) which I am making today and can be downloaded here: Caramel Sauce.
While reading Emily’s book, I was inspired to post a notice in my community’s Facebook group to see if my neighbors would be interested in starting a swap. I’ll update you with my progress.
Roughly, the first portion of the book is devoted to her vast experience in developing a swap, using social media and the press to spread the word, finding a swap locally as well as throwing themed swaps – harvest, holiday and more. It truly is a wealth of information with the plus of being a great read. Often times guides can be stuffy and academic in nature, Emily’s narrative is as if a friend is across the table giving us advice.
The second half contains recipes (including packaging and shelf life information), ideas, and gorgeous photos to boot. Sweets, breads, a variety of vinegars and condiments, soups, spice blends and so many more delicious recipes are shared. Even if you aren’t planning to start a swap or attend an established event, the recipes are great for your own consumption and are perfect for gift giving. The book ends with recipe swap cards and cute labels for our use!
Random Number Generator chose #20 – Laura Benson and #41 Joni Ducey. Congratulations!
GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Emily and Storey Publishing, I have two copies of Food Swap to give away to two readers! If time permits, I may throw a bonus in with the books for the winners – either one of the finished recipe – or some recipe cards of my own. It will be a surprise. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents. To enter, leave a comment telling me if you’ve ever attended a food swap. For a second entry, please share this post making sure to leave a second comment. You may return once a day to leave any comment you like until the giveaway expires. On June 12th two winners will be chosen. Good luck.
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If you would like to keep up with The Cookbook Junkies – all giveaways are posted on the Fan page here.
I have never attended a food swap, just cookie exchanges. Food swap could be very interesting.
I’ve never attended a food swap but I would love to join a cookbook club.
I have never attended a food swap. Have participated in cookie exchanges and daily neighborhood potlucks where we were each responsible for a different part of a meal in the end we each had a complete meal for our families..it was cool!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10206713118125949&id=1213956602
Shared on facebook, pinter estate and tweeted…
I have never attended a food swap. Sounds fun though
I shared the giveaway on FB. here is link https://www.facebook.com/susanbroughton606/posts/1609722455985449
I have never swapped, but am very interested, thanks Jenny!
I have done a cookie exchange before and enjoyed that. I have also done progressive dinners which was fun since it involved going to four different towns. A food swap sounds kinda fun.
How strange! This was in my email inbox right after an email from Sidwell Friends School–my daughter and husband are alumni–announcing a school event featuring alumni involved in the food world, and Emily Paster was on the list!
I haven’t done an official food swap, but have traded homemade preserves with other people many times. And I’ve been to a zillion potlucks, which are a kind of food swap if you think about it, albeit one where you eat the swap on the spot.
I’ve only done a cookie exchange. Sounds like fun though!
I’ve never attended a food swap. I believe it would be alot of fun!
I have only been to a cookie swap.
Never attended a food swap, but it sounds very interesting. Have only swapped recipes.
I have never attended a food swap, in fact, I’ve never heard of such a creature. I’m all kinds of excited to learn how to start one!
I have done potlucks where everyone brings Gladware to take home leftovers of others dishes. You never know what the next days dinner will be.
I love the idea of a food swap, but had never even heard of it until reading your post.
Here’s my shared link:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/88875792625896430/
I haven’t been to a food swap but it looks like a great idea!
I have never attended a food swap with the exception of a Christmas cookie exchange.
I’ve never participated in a food swap but am intrigued by the idea.
I have held a few cookie exchanges but never with passionate bakers so I think we should just say “no” to successfully swapping.
I would love to organize something along these lines with more variety of foods or seasonal swaps with themes. Good excuse for why I need more cookbooks too, lol!
I love to bring neighbors a meal and see what they send back in the containers. Brownies are always welcome.
Yes, my home extension group does a food swap at least once a year. Items range from homemade baked goods to flavored vinegars or even fresh eggs.
Grilling weekend.
No, I have never attended a food swap.
I shared on Facebook.
I never have, but it sounds like fun and a great community builder.
Shared on FB
Great idea!
I never did a food swap but it sounds fun
Thanks for the chance to win!
I shared on Twitter
I shared on Face book.
I’ve never attended a food swap other than a Cookie exchange at Christmas time.
This would have great ideas!
Had a great with family….everyone contributed to the menu.
What a great way to share and Enjoy food!
I love the idea of food swapping.
I e been to a progressive dinner or two. It’s a fun idea
I love this concept and would love to win!
Happy Memorial Day
Such a great idea!
Great looking book.
Nope never done a food swap, but I like to give things like caramel sauce, fudge sauce and pickles as gifts for birthdays or Christmas.
I’ve never attended a food swap. I’d like to, it sounds like fun!
I’m moving to a nearby town soon and this would be a great way to meet my new neighbors.
Happy Swapping.
I have attended cookie swaps at Christmas. A food swap would have been great when my kids were younger and we lived on Hoover Street. A lot of young families and we love getting together to do things like this. Such a great thing.
I shared on twitter.
I love collecting pretty jars for food gifts
I’ve never entered a food swap, but this sounds interesting! I’d like to do it with relatives some day.
Does the book explain how to do a food swap or is it just a cookbook?
Lots of information on how to start, grow and attend a food swap! Plus the history of the modern food swap movement and profiles of food swaps around the country.
I’ve never attended a food swap, but it sounds fun!
Shared on Facebook in the Cooler.
I have never attended a food swap – just a couple of holiday cookie exchanges which were fun. This is an interesting concept! I may consider starting a vegan food swap when my life calms down a bit more. (getting there but not quite there yet).
Shared on Facebook! 🙂
I have never attended a food swap, but they sound like fun!
I shared this post on Facebook!
Just checked this out at the public library.
My entry for today. I would love this book!
Hoping I win!
I have never been to a Food Swap, but I would be willing to try it out!
I shared this post again on Facebook!
I have not attended a food swap but I have given many food gifts to friends which I think the recipes in this cookbook would be perfect for. And for making for ourselves…
Always a great thing to share food
Love this idea.
Hoping to win!
Shared on Facebook again!
I have never attended a food swap, but I think the idea is brilliant. If you are swapping, people are giving value to the homemade items you make — I’ve learned to say no to people who think that because I make jams and jellies can just come over and go ‘shopping’ amongst my jars.
(and of course, those people also ‘forget’ to bring back the empty jars.)
I’ve always wanted to throw a food swap party, unfortunately that hasn’t happened yet 🙁
If I win the book, then I can hold a food swap.
Giving something created with love is the ultimate gift!
Love love love this idea!
Sharing is caring
Just trying to win.
I’ve attended many and met some fun people there.
Looking to see if one exists nearby.
Sharing food could be the beginning of wonderful friendships.
I am always interested in my friend’s cooking! And this would be an excellent way to highlight their cooking!
Almost at the end of the week.
I think food is the best things to swap. Everyone loves food!
Food makes the best gift from the heart
Food swap fun!
Love sharing food
Love sharing home cooked goodies
Have I thanked you for all you do? THANK YOU!!
Would really love to win this!
I have never been to one.
Hi
What a fun idea!
Today’s the day!
Swapping food with your friends is like going to the grocery store to buy gourmet foods! Only better!
I have never attended a food swap but I have been wanting to organize one forever so I would love to have this to help me see how it is done.
Shared on FB
i have never attended a food swap. Sounds interesting.
Love food swaps