A new cookbook is in the works by the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) and all 12 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) throughout the state aiming to showcase delicious recipes from each county.

“We are excited about this cookbook that will highlight some of the best cooks and recipe collectors in the TARCOG region,” said Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey. “I love to cook, and I know many in the region do as well so we’re looking forward to seeing some great recipes and the stories behind them.”

What kinds of recipes?

Judging will occur at local and county levels to determine which recipes will make it into the new cookbook.  Then at state level, a final judging will determine the best recipes in the state for the following categories:

• Breads, Loaves & Muffins
• Main Dishes
• Side Dishes
• Desserts (Cakes, Pies, Cookies, Bars & Candy)
• This & That (Miscellaneous)

How to submit

In the TARCOG region, Sheila said submission forms will be available at senior centers in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, where each center will have its own competition to determine which recipes win in each category for the first round of judging.

From there, a countywide judging is anticipated through each Council on Aging, in which one winner in each category will be selected for inclusion into the cookbook.  The TARCOG region will have up to 25 featured recipes in the cookbook, Sheila said.

Two “feature” recipes will be highlighted from each AAA. These recipes will include additional information on the recipe, the originator of the recipe and its legacy. Photos and stories will be published in the cookbook.

A state event

And there’s more. There are plans for those who make it into the cookbook to have an opportunity to prepare their recipe for an ADSS event in Montgomery for the members of the State Legislature, who will vote on their favorite recipes to determine state winners.

When it will be ready for sale

The cookbook will be ready for sale during Older Americans Month in May 2025, Sheila said. The name of the cookbook has not yet been revealed.

“This is a great way to capture some of our family traditional recipes that have been handed down through generations to those which were put together by creative cooks,” Sheila said. “We’re looking forward to seeing all of them.”

Submission deadline

Deadlines for submission will be set in each individual county until mid-December. Anyone with questions may contact TARCOG at 256-830-0818.