Veggie Planet Chef Wins Prestigious Cookbook Award

Entertaining for a Veggie Planet: 250 Down-To-Earth Recipes, by Didi Emmons, has won the 2004 International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Cookbook Award in the “Health and Special Diet” category. The second book by Emmons, whose socially responsible Cambridge, Massachusetts restaurant Veggie Planet was featured in the “Best of Boston” (May/June, Healing Lifestyles & Spas), was chosen from among more than seventy cookbooks judged by the IACP in its category.

Entertaining for a Veggie Planet encourages home cooks to disregard formalities and focus on casual get-togethers that are fun for both guests and hosts. The book's creative, vegetarian recipes range from “Nibbles and Drinks” to full-fledged menus for “Intimate Gatherings and Celebrations.” Emmons also includes helpful hints for preparing ahead, tips on finding and working with unfamiliar ingredients, and anecdotes about what makes a successful party.

Other finalists in the Health and Special Diet category of the IACP Cookbook Awards were Fresh: Healthy Cooking and Living from Lake Austin Spa Resort by Terry Conlan and The Golden Door Cooks Light and Easy by Michel Stroot.

—Bess Hochstein

September/October 2004