The Making of a School Cookbook

 By Katie Brown

The mythical Raintree School Cookbook was whispered of and requested for years. We understood the importance, the wish to recreate favorite school meals at home, and wanted to get it right. “Almost finished!” I said. “Coming this year!” I promised repeatedly, but always with a new delay around the corner. A white whale of a project, it was the first thing to be set aside when times were busy, and the last thing to be picked up again. Recipes became outdated as the kitchen and menu evolved each year, leading to perpetual cuts and additions. Now, after years of writing, testing, editing, and designing, the Raintree School Cookbook is finally ready. I really mean it this time! 

The essential ingredient that finally brought this book to fruition was the support of the community. Chef Giannis joined the kitchen team in 2022, allowing me extra time to write and test recipes. As I finished recipes, parents volunteered to test them at home and give feedback. I also learned that a resourceful group of parents had already compiled their own underground cookbook years ago! Recipes and tidbits I’d shared with various parents via email over the years were collected into a shared document, which turned out to be a useful resource for my own final draft. With a completed collection, veteran Raintree mom, Kristen, organized and edited the final document; gathered illustrations from students; and guided us into the next publishing steps. When Ms. Waleska joined the administration team in 2024, she offered her graphic design, writing, and publication talents to bring our completed book to life. 

This book was a true community project, and I hope it’s enjoyed by everyone who has waited so patiently. It features over 50 beloved recipes of the Raintree kitchen, some old and some new, and watercolor illustrations contributed by students. It is available to order through Blurb. Proceeds for the book will go towards the continued growth and sustainability of our food program at Raintree.