Forthcoming Cookbook Seeks to Preserve Teacake Recipes and Memories

The Teacake Project is accepting short stories, recipes, poems and personal memories of teacakes for preservation in its upcoming release, “The Teacake Cookbook.”

Austin, TX (PRWEB) October 19, 2006 -- Teacakes are an important part of African-American cooking and social heritage, but they are rapidly being forgotten in the era of fast food.

Elbert Mackey, coordinator of The Teacake Project, today announced his intention to change that with “The Teacake Cookbook,” a forthcoming collection of short stories, recipes, poems and personal memories of teacakes. Mackey is seeking submissions to the cookbook, which may be made through the project’s website, www.TeacakeProject.com.

“The delicious taste of teacakes evokes fond memories of a time when they were the most favored desert among families,” Mackey said. “But today’s children are far more familiar with a ‘super-sized’ Happy Meal than a teacake, and that’s a shame.”

Submission guidelines are available on the website, and any works accepted for publication will be credited. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2006, and Mackey said he expects the cookbook to be ready for publication in May.

Southern food historians say teacakes evolved from an English recipe brought to America by 18th-century British settlers. At the time, teacakes were known as “little cakes” and served with afternoon tea.

Unlike the English, Southerners made the cakes for snacks or special occasions, especially Christmas and Easter. The basic recipe for teacakes has been passed down by word of mouth for generations. Along the way, cooks have added special ingredients such as molasses or grated lemon rinds and spices.

For additional information on The Teacake Project, contact Elbert Mackey or visit www.TeacakeProject.com.

Contact:

Elbert Mackey

The Teacake Project

512-779-9956

http://www.TeacakeProject.com

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