“I wanted it to be something that people could use, love and pass down through generations with all their family,” the author of “The Heirloomed Kitchen Cookbook” said in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat.
Ashley Schoenith, an author, mother and founder of Heirloomed Collection is sharing nearly 100 recipes, cooking techniques, photos and heart-warming memories in the kitchen with her first cookbook.
Since the book’s release in January Schoenith has been on tour for signings with more to come in states like Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina.
Fans and friends of the Tallahassee native or those with an appreciation for sacred family recipes will have an opportunity to meet her April 24th at Hearth & Soul, 1410 Market St.
The opportunity to shop aprons, table linens, candles and vintage goods recognized in select stores from the Heirloomed Collection will follow the book signing.
The idea of writing a book has been in the back of Schoenith’s mind, but what she describes as her favorite family heirloom, recipe cards, was the force behind the execution of the book.
Some handwritten on brittle paper with ink penmanship, some typed out with little notes have been passed down from generation to generation in the Schoenith family. She has great memories of home-cooked meals made from her mother and grandmother.
To commemorate the sanctity of this family heirloom, the cookbook was created with hopes that it will help families create their own memories in the kitchen and at their dining tables.
Schoenith, who describes herself as an old soul, says the book tailors to those who have “a fondness for the past and for history and the story behind things.”
A mix of new and old recipes prepared for decades within the family’s tree and some created by Schoenith are shared in the book from side dishes to entrees, soups and desserts. Brief blurbs about the recipe’s origin and techniques for preparation are included in the book.
Schoenith, now based in Atlanta, hopes people realize the importance of knowing how to replicate sacred made-from-scratch recipes that she has grown up on herself.
“I think if the art of that is lost, then it’s you know, it’s gone.” Schoenith said. “Like if you love your grandmother’s biscuits and you don’t learn how to make them then the way she made them is kind of gone for future generations.”
Lots of southern recipes for some dishes include fried green tomatoes or okra, cheese grits, waffles and more.
Schoenith wants to emphasize that the recipes aren’t too technical with an understanding that life gets busy like her own routine of balancing her business and family life with three kids.
“It’s more about the knowledge to do it so that you’re able to do it and not skipping that gap generationally,” Schoenith said.
For more than a year, Schoenith and the Heirloomed Collection photographer, Heidi Harris, who’s been with the brand for three years out of its 17 years of existence, collected the photos and recipes that have been shared through the brand’s blog for years.
“I really wanted it to be kind of a coffee table book for a kitchen island. It’s kind of how I like to describe it, like beautiful imagery,” Schoenith said the book includes process, plated and lifestyle shots.
The book is available for purchase for $35 on the Heirloomed Collection website. It is also available at Target, Walmart and Amazon.
If you go
- Where: Hearth & Soul, 1410 Market St.
- When: 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., April 24
