HFC, Dearborn community contribute recipes for Rotary’s “Let’s Cook” cookbook

The Rotary Club of Dearborn (commonly called Dearborn Rotary) had to get creative when it came to fundraising this holiday season.

The coronavirus pandemic has prevented it from holding many of its annual fundraisers, including the HFC Big Band, Bop & Pop concert held every January, where the proceeds go to the Dearborn Rotary’s scholarship fund for area students.

So they had to think outside of the box. HFC Big Band founder/director Rick L. Goward also serves as the Dearborn Rotary’s fundraising director. Goward surveyed the membership, brainstorming alternate ways to raise funds.

“The No. 1 response was, ‘Let’s do a cookbook,’” said Goward.

Within a few weeks, Rotarians and friends of Dearborn Rotary – including U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, former HFC Board of Trustees member/Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Mariam Bazzi, Chief Judge of Dearborn/HFC alumnus Eugene Hunt, Dearborn City Council President Susan A. Dabaja, Dearborn City Councilwoman/HFC alumna Leslie Herrick, Dearborn City Councilman Brian O’Donnell, Dearborn City Clerk George Darany, and HFC music professor G. Kevin Dewey – contributed 133 recipes.

Let’s Cook

The result is Let’s Cook. This cookbook has an eclectic variety of American and international recipes, including main courses, side dishes, soups, salads, veggies, appetizers, breads, and desserts.

Bazzi contributed two recipes: her “power cookies” and beet burgers. She stated that her family of meat-eaters can’t get enough of the beet burgers and they’re even a hit with people who don’t even like beets, believe it or not!

“The holidays are about coming together and celebrating our human connections. Food is very much a part of that,” said Bazzi. “Through sharing a meal, we can learn a lot about each other and find that we usually have so much in common. It seems fitting that during these times, a great way to connect and share while staying safe is by contributing to this project. It also supports a great organization that continues to help countless people in our community.”

A creative way to raise funds

“This cookbook is a creative way to raise funds for Dearborn Rotary,” said Herrick, who contributed a recipe called sausage apple dinner pie. “It’s also a great gift because personal stories are attached to the recipes and these are names people in our community recognize. I was happy to participate and I'm always supportive of Dearborn Rotary.”

Proceeds from sales of the cookbook will be used throughout the year for Dearborn Rotary scholarship programs and community services projects, both locally and internationally.

How to obtain a copy

Order Let’s Cook cookbook online for $20. For questions or more information, contact Goward at rgoward@hfcc.edu.