When Stephanie Duncan volunteered to head the committee responsible for producing the Junior League of Denver’s fifth cookbook, Colorado Classique, “Everybody warned me that I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.”
Two years later, as the finished product rolls off the presses and onto bookshelves nationwide, Duncan says she’s happy she didn’t listen.
“The time passed so quickly; it’s hard to believe the process is actually over,” Duncan said at a release party held at the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek North. “I made so many new friends and learned so many new things. It turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.”
Colorado Classique contains 210 recipes, the majority of which were submitted and tested by JLD members. There’s also a chapter with recipes from such popular Denver-area restaurants as Bistro Vendome, the Broadmoor, Cuba Cuba, The Fort, Le Central and Elway’s.
What sets this book apart from the others, Duncan says, is that “it has something for everyone. Maybe it’s a little less gourmet, but every recipe calls for fresh and natural ingredients, nothing canned or from a mix.” There’s also nutritional information for every recipe, including calories, fat and sodium content, fiber and protein.
Duncan’s favorite? The almond raspberry bars on Page 245 ( “I could eat a whole pan of them!”), although if the decision were left to her children, their vote would go to the chocolate peanut butter bars on Page 246.
Photographer John Fielder contributed 15 landscape images, including one that appears on the cover.
Guests at the tasting included JLD president Molly Ostarch Weiss; Barbara Knight, who has been a tester for each of the league’s five cookbooks; sustaining adviser Melly Kinnard; previous book chairwomen Wendy Zerr and Judi Richardson (“Colorado Colore”) and Cathy Hollis (“Colorado Collage”); past president Arlene Hirschfeld; tester Debbie Gray; JLD’s managing director Sharon Hartman; Sonnie Talley; Beverlee Henry; and Kate and Jim Taucher.
All teed off
Summer and golf are a natural pairing, and 18 holes are that much sweeter when you’re playing for a good cause. Here are some charity tournaments to consider:
• The National Kidney Foundation’s 22nd Golf Classic is July 27 at Columbine Country Club; register by calling 720-748-9991, ext. 116.
• Also July 27: The fifth Ali Meyer Foundation Tournament, benefiting Children’s Hospital. It’s at Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden; register with Dennis Meyer, 303-981-6303. Friends of the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce tee off at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster July 28; call 303-831-0720.
• Former Denver Bronco Randy Gradishar is the honorary chairman for the Aug. 10 tournament benefiting Seeds of Hope Charitable Trust. It’s at Lakewood Country Club, and executive director Betsy Boudreau is taking reservations at 303-715-3112.
• Denver Children’s Home benefits from an Aug. 12 tournament put on by CoreNet Global. It’s at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, and sign-ups are accepted at 303-758-1118.
• Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen is the setting Aug. 20 for a tournament benefiting Arapahoe House. Call 303-412-3643.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
