Kitchens are made for bringing families together, and one Okotoks family knows best that the secret ingredient to any good food is love.
After publishing the second edition of the All in the Family cookbook in memory of her sister, Laurinda Nemecek (nee Pavka) and the Pavka family are looking to raise money for charity with proceeds from the book.
The cookbook is a tradition of its own for the family. The original cookbook was published in 1984 in memory of Anna Pavka, Nemecek’s grandmother, who passed from colon cancer in 1955 at 52 years old.
“It’s really close to our hearts in terms of there are so many memories attached to it, and so many personal recipes,” said Nemecek of the first cookbook.
“Food is so connected to the heart. When you’re cooking something it reminds you of something else. It’s just really sentimental to all of us.”
The cookbook was compiled by Pavka’s daughters, Lydia, Polly and Mildred, starting in 1982, and was published by Polly and Mildred in 1984 following Lydia’s own passing of cancer at 54 years old.
The newest edition was published a year ago after Nemecek’s sister, Lisa Foote (nee Pavka), also passed from colon cancer on April 23, 2017.
“When my sister passed away we wanted a way to remember her and her love for cooking,” said Nemecek.
“There were so many other recipes that we didn’t want to get lost in the shuffle with our kids, so we want to make sure that [the next] generation has these wonderful recipes.”
Originally from Czechoslovakia, the family’s recipes are ripe with tradition and pride in their heritage. The latest cookbook features recipes from the first as well as new recipes contributed by family members. A special part for Nemecek is the new Czech Christmas chapter.
“At Christmas time we do nine meals for the nine apostles, and we really wanted [the children] to have that because it’s such a tradition, and it’s something I think my sister would be so proud of, even for her kids to have and know,” she said.
Documenting the recipes was a way for the family to share memories. Speaking of families’ habits for not talking about things until it is too late, Nemecek and her family wanted to make sure nothing important got lost.
The family didn’t know what type of cancer their grandmother Pavka had, so did not know to get screened before Foote’s diagnosis.
Cooking as a family is a pillar for the Nemeceks, who find it brings them together. The cookbook was a way to bring the extended family into their home with every meal.
“It’s just so important [to eat as a family]. It’s almost like a love language,” she said. “It just speaks to our hearts and it’s been in our family for so long. It’s definitely very important to us.”
The family printed 500 cookbooks last year with a goal to raise $10,000.
All proceeds will be donated to Haying in the 30’s, a cancer support society in Mallaig, Alberta, in honour of Foote’s relationship with the society.
The society is volunteer run and supports families dealing with cancer, helping to mitigate the costs of care.
Supporting families dealing with a cancer diagnosis was important to the family, so choosing Haying in the 30’s was an easy choice after receiving aid following Foote’s diagnosis.
“It’s this society that helps families deal with all the costs and all the things that come up that you’re under the stress. You’re in this position that you don’t want to be in, but you’re in it and you’re thinking ‘Oh my goodness, how am I going to pay for this?’” said Nemecek. “If we can help these people and help these families, I know that Lisa would be so happy, she would just be smiling down on us.”
At $20 a cookbook, the family has sold 400 of the 500 printed and are $2,000 shy of their goal.
Haying in the 30’s puts on a demonstration of farming in the 30’s to raise money the August long weekend. All of the money raised is through donation, as Haying in the 30’s does not charge for any of their services.
The family hopes to reach their fundraising goal by the August long weekend to make the full donation through selling the remaining 100 cookbooks.
The cookbooks are a combination of the family’s talents, with parts contributed by siblings, cousins, and extended family. Each chapter cover page features art from the children in the family.
The cookbook can accommodate a variety of dietary needs from gluten free recipes to vegan and vegetarian options with more than 200 recipes.
To get a copy of All in the Family, email [email protected] or call 587-364-0743.
