Books to Borrow Williamsburg Public Library Recommends

Donated in memory of Delores "Dee" Verbonitz, this cookbook is all about gathering people together over food. Anyone who knew Dee, knew she was always cooking a big meal for her family. When she wasn't cooking for her large family, Dee was helping out with food for school functions, sports events, church meals, and community fundraisers.

"Feed Your People" was written by Leslie Jonath with the help of 18 Reasons, a nonprofit organization seeking to "empower the community with confidence and creativity to buy, cook, and eat good food each day," which they do through dinners and cooking classes. The 18 Reasons Cooking School's Community Dinner began when the students, their friends, and community members wanted to spend more time together in the cooking classroom, not taking classes, but enjoying each other's company and connecting with each other. At 18 Reasons, its goal is to inspire home cooks to learn new skills and to spend more time cooking and sharing food with family and friends. The 18 Reasons Cooking School provides free cooking classes to struggling low-income families and busy professionals alike, believing the act of sitting together, and coming together over food, brings a sense of joy, empowerment, and community.

Filled with old favorites such as "old-school chicken parm" and "fried chicken and waffles" as well as flavors of the world like "chickpea curry soup" and "Chinese dumplings," this cookbook has it all – recipes from appetizers to dessert, seafood dishes and salads, side dishes and main courses. Explore new flavor combos with "root beer barbecued spareribs" or satisfy your sweet tooth and sink into "old-school southern coconut custard pie." Grab some ingredients and learn to create new dishes or invite a few friends and host a cooking class night and really do what this particular cookbook is all about – enjoy togetherness with food as the common denominator.

"Cooking reminds us that we are capable of taking care of ourselves and others, and that this care makes our communities and families stronger and more connected," Sarah Nelson, executive director at 18 Reasons, said.

Delores "Dee" Verbonitz was a special part of our community and it seems fitting that a cookbook for large gatherings be given in her memory. She enjoyed serving her community and showing love to her family and friends in so many ways, but especially with preparing them a banquet of delicious food to enjoy and come together over.