The Family Cookbook Project

Category: FamilyCookbookProject.com

  • Still More Family Cookbook Editor Comments

    A few months ago, we asked our Family Cookbook Editors what they thought about our website, our software, our customer service and our cookbooks. 

    Here are some of the comments they wanted to share:

    “As I high school teacher with 160+ students, I am delighted by how this project puts the recipe together for you.  I love the pride my students exhibit when they see it published!”
    Brenda Grueneberger

    Class of 2013 Cookbook Project

    “We have had many people tell us that the Sample Family Cookbook is their favorite cookbook, even many outside our family.  We really enjoyed being able to do this to honor our mom who taught us to cook and our dad by the donations we made to the Parkinson’s Foundation with a portion of our proceeds from the sale of our cookbooks.  Dad battled Parkinson’s Disease for many years but remained the pillar of our family until his death.”
    Joy Coles

    The Sample Family Cookbook
    “The ease of use has been impressive and I think once I get the rest of my family on board we will have a great book that will stay in our family for years to come.”
    Debby McKenzie

    Family & Friends Cookbook
    “I was delighted to find this website to create our family cookbook – had been searching online to find what I wanted and was not able to find it until reaching the familycookbookproject.com website – thanks so much for the creation of your site!” 
    Carol Cruise

    Cruise Family Cookbook
    “Easy to use and format.  Allowed me to easily create a “memory generator” for family members”
    Carol Haley

    The McDonell/Borle Family Cookbook
    “This cookbook together was easy and quick.  Talking with family members and sharing memories brought back so many wonderful meals that I had forgotten.  There is a wonderful Personal Notes spot that you can share memories about that recipe.   My children had never met my grandparents but now they will always remember where those recipes came from and why they are special.  Great experience and we now have an heirloom we will pass down for years to come.”
    Darcy Bauer

    Glenn Family Cookbook Project
    “Working on my family cookbook, The Bisceglia Family Cookbook, with familycookbookproject.com was an absolute joy. The site is so easy to use and has everything you could want at your fingertips.  Any questions I had were answered quickly by Chip, who was extremely helpful and friendly. The final cookbook is beautiful and has become a family treasure.  Starting to work on a second edition now! Thank you, thank you!”
    Eileen DiGregorio

    The Bisceglia Family and Beyond Cookbook
    “I am really having fun working with my dear elderly friend in creating Elean Ragan’s family cookbook to pass on to future generations. Thank you,”
    Gayle Waylett

    Elean Ragan’s Family Cookbook

    “Being able to create a family cookbook of recipes from 4 generations and including photos of these family members has been a wonderful gift to our family.”
    Dana Hoffman

    Mercer Graham Maitland Family Cookbook

    “I created a cookbook to give to our customers when they came here for a user group meeting. They loved the idea and were very pleased. It was a great hit with the customers and well as our employees.”
    Christina Rude

    The 2013 MAJIQal Cookbook
    “It’s a great way to collect and publish all of your treasured family recipes. It’s easy to use and manage.”
    Julie Lichty

    The Lichty/Cope/Holthouse Family Cookbook Project
    “I really like the family cookbook project.  My cookbook is taking longer than I would like and I hope you never impose a deadline. Your site, while great for putting a cookbook together, it is also a great online recipe box.”
    Jeffrey Davis

    Davis Family Recipes
    “This is the second volume of our family cookbook.  The first one was done by me, using publishing software and manually entering everyone’s recipes.  This way is SO much easier!  Everyone puts their own recipes in, eliminating a source of transcribing error, and there is plenty of time to correct any errors before committing to print.  Our last cookbook had many errors that were not corrected before printing.  This way multiple people can test the recipe before it is printed, and directions can be clarified if necessary.”
    Cyndie Snoddy

    The Benson Family Cookbook Volume 2
    “I have been so pleased with Family Cookbook, the ease of using the program and the reminders to keep me going!”
    Audrey Stewart  

    Thru The Kitchen Window

    “After celebrating our mother’s 90th birthday, my computer wiz sister collected family memories centered around Mom.  Most of those memories involved food, meals and favorite recipes.  So I thought it would be nice to assemble our favorite recipes in a family cookbook.  Went on line looking for a site that would help me and found you!  Invited family members to add recipes and off we went!  That was almost 4 years ago.  The younger members of the family do not do paper.  They cook with their laptops on the counter and look at recipes on line.  So we decided not to make a paper book.  I then joined for life so everyone could just look up a recipe.  I think it is cool how you share our recipes with others.  My sister, Phyllis got the most hits on her turkey roasting recipe.  But I love the comment entry where we can share stories about our recipes.  That is the most unique item in your site that I enjoy very much.  Thank you.  Can’t tell you how many friends I have shared your site with.  What a wonderful service!” 
    Libby Welter

    Welter Family Cook Book

     

    “After looking around for cookbook formats online, I decided on familycookbookproject.com.  It was the easiest and most user friendly for me.  I found that when I had any issues or questions, I only had to email you and got a solution very quickly.” 
    Donna Weston

    Tastes of Love from Cajun Hearts

  • Even More Thoughts From Our Cookbook Editors

    A few months ago, we asked our Family Cookbook Editors what they thought about our website, our software, our customer service and our cookbooks. 

    Here are some of the comments they wanted to share:

    “Creating a cookbook with my Mom’s recipes made us cry and made me laugh.  After her passing, we found all these incredible little notes and reminders she had saved through the years.  We incorporated them into the cookbook, and everyone was delighted to have that little extra insight into her character.  I was also thrilled to find many recipes in her own handwriting and my grandmother’s own handwriting, which I scanned in and also incorporated into the books.  My sister helped me with the book from 3000 miles away, and we gave the books as Christmas presents to our siblings and all our nieces and nephews.  They were thrilled.  I was very happy with how easy it was to create our cookbook on your website.  You made it simple and cost-effective – both big bonuses.” 
    Karolyn Miller
    Karolyn’s Cookbook

    “I have been reviewing recipe cards from my Mom and Aunt and a handwritten cookbook from my Grandmother. Thinking about the times we shared meals has been wonderful.”

    Anne Currie-O’Brien
    Recipes from Raggy Jane & Fran
    “I really enjoyed this project.  The website was easy to use.  I hope to make another one in the future.” 
    Ann Powers
    Our Family Cookbook
    “After years of having hand-written recipe cards in a ziplock bag, I was able to use the family cookbook project website to put together a tribute to a dear deceased relative who loved to bake. I scanned each handwritten card for the photo then typed each recipe so they would be easier to follow. I gave them as Christmas gifts to other family members. I titled it “Alicia’s Favorite Recipes” in honor of a wonderful daughter, sister and mother who loved to cook” It was a labor of great love, and I’m so grateful I found the family cookbook project website. I’m now working on a cookbook for my own recipes.”
    Julie
    Alicia’s Favorite Recipes
    “The idea of compiling a family cookbook seemed to be a daunting task, but this project has been really easy and an enjoyable experience for us.”
    Linda Hawkins
    The Davis Daughters Family Cookbook


    “I had talked for years about doing a family cookbook, but never found the right format.  When I got a Groupon for Family Cookbooks, I knew this was what I had been looking for.  Once I told my daughters and daughters-in-law about the project, they jumped on board, so I knew our family cookbook was going to become a reality.  I chose the working title to be “The Duttlinger Family Likes to Eat” planning something better before publication.  Instead I got outvoted and the title stuck!  When the cookbooks arrived everyone was thrilled with them and immediately began making things that have been in the family for generations, but they never knew how to make.  This definitely was a highlight for our family.  Thanks you for making my dream come true.”
    Pat
    The Duttlinger Family Likes to Eat
    “My first experience was wonderful.  I didn’t know it could be so easy. My book was recipes from our Restaurant Buzzards in Mexico. It was just a whim but friends and customers expressed a desire to have one.  I ordered 300 and sold out in just a few months. Retired now and making a second book for the kids and grands.  As before Chip has been over the top helpful and writes back immediately when I have a little glitch. He informed me I can even take from my old book and include it in the new book, revise the old one, what ever I want to do. When I go on site both books are there for me. When my yearly membership is up I will defiantly get the life time option. Thank you familycookbookprofect.com from the bottom of my crockpot!”
    Judie Jones
    Buzzard’s Best
    “Familycookbookproject.comfinally gave me the tool to use to gather together my mother’s recipes in a professional looking manner at an affordable price. It might have taken forever without it. ”
    Jill Bouvier
    That Was Edible Norma- Mom’s Recipes And More
    “My family enjoyed receiving the cookbooks for Christmas this year. I just wish I had been better disciplined to get the recipes typed in earlier so I didn’t have to rush at the last minute! ”
    Ann Zanon
    Family Favorites and The White Family Cookbook
    “Our family is immensely pleased with the ease of the cookbook format. Writing family history about each recipe has brought our family sharing a wonderful experience.”
    Joyce Nelson
    BARBIN / BORDELON HERTIAGE COOKBOOK
    “This is exactly what I was looking for, and more! The opportunity to pass on not just our favorite recipes, but the memories from around our table, all created in my personal style. Thank you Family Cookbook Project!”
    Jennifer Parschauer
    Mamma’s Kitchen to Your’s
    “Using familycookbookproject.com has been amazing. I come from a huge family and it was a great way to bring my family together to share recipes for our family’s new cook book. I will definitely be using this site again for any future needs in making cook books.”
    Kimberly Spanton
    Bishop Family Cook Book
    “I have used this site for years and found to be very user friendly. Prices are very good. I initially published a family cookbook, then began my own personal cookbook with all of my favorite recipes. Absolutely love this site!!!”
    Cathy Janet
    Cathy’s Favorites  
  • Tell Your Friends About Family Cookbook Program and Earn $$$

    Tell Your Friends About Family Cookbook Program and Earn $$$

    Did you know you can make money by becoming a Family Cookbook Project affiliate marketing partner and telling others to start their own cookbook? Joining is Free and Easy!

    If you have a blog, you can write posts about the site. On Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest you can share your story, even word of mouth can work effectively when bringing new editors to the FamilyCookbookProject.com site.

    The Great Family Cookbook Project was founded almost 10 years ago and helps individuals and families collect and share favored recipes online and in printed cookbooks. Our online software makes it easy and fun to make a fabulous personalized cookbook.

    By helping us to spread the news about our offerings, you can benefit by earning valuable referral fees.

    How the Affiliate Program Works

    1. Program members drive Internet traffic to FamilyCookbookProject.com through specially formatted links that allow us to track sales and other activity.
    2. Program members earn up to 30% in referral fees on all qualifying revenue made through their links.
    3. We send monthly payment to Program Members via PayPal on the 15th of every month (if your balance is at least $100).

    Once you join the program we will give you access to our online Affiliate Center.  This is the place where you will build your links, view your traffic and earnings reports, and read about the latest news and opportunities available to you through the program.

    We do have some basic ground rules for the program:

    • All participants must have a PayPal account (in order to receive payouts).
    • Your traffic must come from individuals in the USA and Canada.
    • You may NOT receive credit for referring yourself.

    Participants caught violating or attempting to circumvent these rules will have all affiliate credit voided and will not receive payouts. Additionally, they will be banned from further participation in our affiliate program.

    To get started, simply complete the online application. Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, post the web site links to FamilyCookbookProject.com on your web site or to social media sites, using the links provided. It’s as easy as that.

    We look forward to building a strong, profitable and successful relationship with you.

  • How to get your recipes into your cookbook

    How to get your recipes into your cookbook


    Many people who have entered recipes in the past into a word processing program, like Microsoft Word, often of ask us for a way to import these recipes into Family Cookbook Project.

    Unfortunately, there is no automatic way to import these recipes into our system because each source uses its own layout and there is no way for us to identify what information needs to needs to be entered into our fields.
    Cut and Paste
    The good news is that it’s quick and easy to copy and paste a recipe into Family Cookbook Project using cut and paste on your computer.
    Here’s how: Simply highlight all the ingredients in your source document and hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the “C” key on your keyboard. Next go to “add a new recipe” in your family cookbook site. Click in the ingredients box and now hold the Ctrl key while pressing the “v” key. This pastes what you have copied into the field. Repeat for title, directions and notes and you are done!
    This process also can be used to import recipes from other websites. However, remember to credit the source of the recipe in your recipe notes.
    Scanning recipes
    Another way editors look to add recipes is by scanning. The problem with scanned recipes is that the system can not read the text to create titles and indexes and other parts of the cookbook. The computer just sees them as photos.
    Here is a blog post that should help answer your questions:
    Moving recipes between cookbooks

    If want to transfer recipes from one cookbook to another, you can do so by using the Recipe Transfer Tool.  Go to Editor Tools>Publishing Tool. You will find the link at the bottom of the page since it is still in the testing (beta) phase. This tool offers step by step instructions on how to move your recipes to the new cookbook

  • How Many Recipes Should a Cookbook Have?

    How Many Recipes Should a Cookbook Have?


    One question every cookbook editor wants to know is how many recipes should my cookbook have? Too many and printing costs are higher, not enough and the cookbook is not as valuable. What’s a family cookbook editor to do?

    Looking at the thousands of cookbooks we have printed over the past decade, there is no real number of recipes that make up a good cookbook  – you have what you have.  We have printed cookbooks with just 15 great recipes and as many as 1200!  However, that 1200 recipe book was 750 pages – HUGE!
    The average size seems to be around 150 recipes and that is why we use that number in our cost calculator.
    When a great cookbook has less recipes, often the editor includes other content to augment the food offerings. Photos of each dish, a section of family photos, a family tree or family stories about people remembered can really add value to a smaller cookbook.
    Larger cookbooks can be impressive simply by the number of recipes it contains. However, since printing cost is directly related to the number of pages that need to be printed, it is important to be mindful of your design choices when choosing your layout options.
    At the end of the day, your cookbook is exactly that – your cookbook. You need to balance the number and quality of the recipes included with the needs of your family.

  • Thoughts From Our Family Cookbook Editors

    A few months ago, we asked our Family Cookbook Editors what they thought about our website, our software, our customer service and our cookbooks. 

    Here are some of the comments they wanted to share:


    “A few years ago, my family printed A Peek into the Parsons Pantry.  It has been my main source of recipes ever since!  I have loved it.  I love being able to put personal notes on each recipe.  I love that the index can be alphabetical by recipe title or by contributor, or it is also organized by category.  Such a great cookbook, and I love that everyone just enters their own recipes.  So easy!”
    Heather Byrd

    A Second Peek into the Parsons Pantry
    “I received this project as a gift from my son and have enjoyed sorting through the recipes to include specific items which the family will enjoy.”
    Caroline Smith

    The Smith Family Cookbook Project


    “I was thrilled once I entered this website to see how user friendly it was.  It had been a while since I had taken on such a big project and I was unsure of being able to tackle thinking the site would be foreign.  BUT it was not at all,  It has tutorials for help and customer service is extremely fast at helping you.  I love that you enter the ingredients and method are entered separate.  You can include your own pictures is what I did and it turned out beautiful  The cookbook has rounded edges which to me was just a wonderful added touch!!  The website said 3 -4 weeks for printed delivery and we had our books in 8 DAYS!!  I am from Canada and I am just thrilled with this website and would encourage anyone who may be thinking doing a cookbook to definitely choose this site.” 
    Karen Melnyk

    Sing from Heart.  Recipes with love, from Ruth.

     

    “It was much easier to get started than I thought it would be.  And much easier to get others interested in contributing.”
    Adrienne Castle

    Foothills’ Friends’ Favorites

    “I always wanted to put our family recipes in a cookbook and have tried several formats.  This was without a doubt the easiest way for us to get together with our thoughts and ideas.  The fact that we made it a story book as well put charm in the book that had friends and family smile and cry.”
    Charlotte  Ragsdale

    Ragsdale Family Cookbook
    “I love the Family Cookbook Project, what a great way to take those recipes from our friends and family and put them all in one place. I know as my Nana gets older lots of the Sunday dinner specials will become an old piece of paper that you can’t read, so I take those and save the memories for ever with Family Cookbook project! Thank you!”
    Amanda McGovern

    Cookies Recipes and Cookbook
    “I am very satisfied with this site. It’s fun and easy to use and we will be using it again!”
    Chantal  Lavigne
    Leevee De Fonds/Fundraiser CIBC Sutton

    “I used family cookbook project to put all my grandmother’s recipes in a book for all the grandkids and great grandkids. I was easy to use and very understanding. I plan on doing another one but with just my recipes. Thank you the great help you offer while working on the first cookbooks.”  
    Nancy McInelly

    GRANNY AND BOPPY’S COOKBOOK


    “This was a fun project, made much easier by Family Cookbook friendly website.  We did it as a family project to have our family favorites in one place and at the same time, raising money for our two favorite charities.  I hoped to sell 50 but wound up ordering over 300 and we have none left.  Now we are getting requests for a second printing and/or another cookbook!  We loved every step of creating our cookbook thanks to Family Cookbook Project!”
    Cheryl Doublin DeJulius

    Four Sisters, A Legacy of Love from our Kitchens
    “A fantastic way to collect and share family history through the tradition recipes we make and serve during the holidays!”
    Judy Desroches

    Family Recipes

    “So easy to use and a great Christmas gift, I wouldn’t hesitate to use the website again. I spent about an hour a night plugging in recipes but also spent a lot of time looking over the covers and inserts that you can choose. The site makes everything so easy for you and the fact that you can preview everything to see if you like the cover, inserts, fonts, etc. rather than either having to print it or be stuck with it is great. Changes can always be made. If you give it as a gift, the looks you get after it is opened are priceless.”
    Jim

    Family Favorites Cookbook

     

  • How much does a family cookbook cost?

    One of the most frequent questions asked by people wanting to create family cookbook is “How much will it cost”.

    There are two expenses you will incur to create your own personalized family cookbook. The first is the membership fee and the second is the actual printing of the cookbooks.

    The membership fee allows Family Cookbook Project to maintain it’s servers, maintain the software, hire designers to create new covers, and cover the other costs of doing business. We have tried to keep this fee as low as possible and allow it to be paid either monthly, annually or with a lifetime membership.

    The other cost of creating your personalized cookbook is the actual printing. There are three major aspects to your cookbook that will impact the cost of printing.

    The most significant is the page count. The more pages in your cookbook, the more it will cost to print. Raw materials, such as paper and ink play a factor here.

    The second consideration the use of color. Color inks cost more than black inks and that is why if you include more color in your cookbook, especially photos, we are required to charge extra.

    The final consideration is the number of books printed. Each cookbook must be set up on the press for printing. The cost of that set-up has to be distributed to each of the cookbooks printed. That is why the price per book when you order only five cookbooks is so much more than when you order 100.


    You will find the complete pricing for the use of the site at http://www.familycookbookproject.com/price_to_print_a_family_cookbook.asp
    You will also find a way to estimate the cost of your cookbook printing at the bottom of the page, however the actual cost will be determined by the number of pages contained in your cookbook when you send it to print.
    There are also ways an editor can lower the cost of printing. Check out our blog post Lowering the Cost Of Printing Your Cookbook for some ideas.

  • New Cookbook Covers Available

    New Cookbook Covers Available


    Family Cookbook Project is pleased to announce six new cookbook cover designs are available to our cookbook editors to use on their cookbooks. 
    Blessed Food: Loaves and Fishes in a basket is a nice cover to consider for a church cookbook.
    Champagne Toast: Here’s to love! Two Champagne glasses are very festive  and perfect for a wedding cookbook or bridal cookbook.
    Family Tree Abstract 1: Family tree covers are among our most popular. Here is an abstract family tree on yellow background.
    Family Tree Abstract 2: This is the same as Family Tree Abstract 1 except the family tree is on a white background 
    Irish Dreamtime: This cover with Irish Cross with Clover was submitted by Cookbook Editor Misty Baker and we loved it so much, we asked if we can share it with other family cookbook project editors.
    Pink Ribbon March: Pink Ribbon for the cure! If you are creating a fundraising cookbook for breast cancer awareness, this might be the cover for you!

    Blessed Food
    Champagne Toast
    Family Tree Abstract
    Irish Dreamtime
    Pink Ribbon March

  • How to Create a Family Cookbook

    How to Create a Family Cookbook


    Creating a treasured family cookbook has never been easier.  The Great Family Cookbook Project was developed to make the process easy to understand and accomplish.

    Here is an overview on the simple steps required to create a personalize family cookbook.

    1)      Establish an editor – The editor is the person who is responsible for getting things started and making sure they keep moving ahead. This person is also responsible for defining the project in terms of who to invite to participate, which recipes to include and when to publish the book.  Every project needs a go getter to get things done.

      2)      Determine the size of the project and set a deadline – If you are interested in a printed cookbook, you need to set how many recipes to ask for from each person and when you want them submitted by.  We are all busy and tend to put off what we can.  By asking for a specific number of recipes by a specific date – say a month or so in the future, you can get people to act on your request.

    3)      Invite other family members to contribute recipes – While some editors like to do it themselves, getting other people involved distributes the work and provides recipes that you may not have in your recipe box. We have developed an easy to use invitation tool to get the ball rolling.  All you need is each person’s name and email address.  For people without email addresses, we provide a simple letter for you to use to contact them.

    4)      Entering the recipes  – Everyone starts entering recipes and you enter your own favorite recipes and use the special request tool to ask for favorites that you don’t have – yet!  Reminder emails will be sent automatically as the deadline draws near.  If not enough recipes have been added by the deadline you can extend the deadline.

    5)      Start using the recipes – All of the recipes are immediately available online on the family Cookbook page.  One great way to show the benefits of the Great Family Cookbook Project is to start using some of the recipes and thanking the people who entered them!

    6)      Prepare to publish – Before you can publish your family cookbook, you need to begin the publishing process by freezing the content.  Members can still enter recipes and they will be available online and in future editions, but not for this edition.  The publishing tool will help you write a dedication, select a cover and choose printing specifications for your cookbook.

    7)      Order your copies – As editor, you order the books yourself — and your folks can use our pre-order tool to allow each contributor to tell you how many they’d like.  Most cookbook publishers require you to purchase at least 100 copies of your cookbook, we only requires 5 copies to purchased.

    8)      Enjoy your new personalized family cookbook – The finished product is delivered directly to your door. Give them as gifts,share them with friends, try new family recipes, keep adding to your online collection and be proud of your accomplishment for your family.

  • A Mother’s Gift


    We owe our mothers so much. They give us life, they nurture us, feed us and teach us.

    Our mothers are also often our first teachers in the kitchen. From them we learn table manners, what a family meal is and how it brings us all together. Our lessons start when we watch and mimic what we see in the kitchen and at the dinner table. As we grow and understand, we are taught by being allowed to become a “mother’s helper” and do some of the simpler tasks of getting the family meal prepared. Later in life, we use all of the years of learning by contributing our favorite family dishes when the family gathers at holidays, taking some of the pressure off of our mothers.
    As a mom, it is important to pass those life skills on to our children so they have the same foundation in the kitchen that we learned from our parents.
    Here are some simple ideas to consider when teaching the next generation how to prepare the family meal:
    Teach measurements– Find tasks for young ones that allow them to stay in one location, but keep them busy. Give them a measuring spoon and ask them to count how many teaspoons are in a cup of flour or water. Once they fill the cup, use it in your recipe.
    Name the tools – Many of the tools of the trade in the kitchen have specific names and specific uses. Teach the names of the tool as well as their purpose in preparing the meal. That way when you ask for a wisk you don’t get a potato masher!
    Plan meals together– For most families, dinner usually includes a main dish or entre, a side dish or two providing a starch and vegetable, and if we are lucky a dessert. Discuss why certain side dishes go together and how to plan a well-balanced meal.
    Use recipes – Many mothers have made their favorite family recipes so many times, that they don’t even use a recipe any more or they never had one from their mother. Trial and error can come later, to start have a set of family recipes that can be used to provide step by step instructions to a young chef. If you don’t have them, write them down as you make a dish and start collecting them.
    A great way to help mom collect and share her family recipes is to help her create a family cookbook. The Family Cookbook Project (www.FamilyCookbookProject.com) offers a gift certificate that can printed out and included in a Mother’s Day card. This gift will help any mom create an easy online family cookbook that can then be printed and shared for generations to come.
    Mom’s can also give themselves a gift to help preserve their family food traditions. By creating a family cookbook and collecting your family recipes, you will be creating a helpful guide for future generations.

    Bill Rice is Co-Publisher of the Great Family Cookbook Project, a website that helps families and individuals collect and share food memories. Follow us on Facebook and Pinterest!