Settlement cook book

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THE SETTLEMENT COOK BOOK

The Settlement is unique among the basic cookbooks, in the way it has developed as a nonprofit philanthropic organization. It all started in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, around the turn of the century. At that time there were vast migrations of people from Europe, seeking freedom and a better life, and Milwaukee received its share of these newcomers.To help them learn about American life and American ways, classes in English and citizenship, sewing and cooking were organized and held in a neighbourhood house called "The Settlement". Mrs. Simon Kander, an enthusiastic Settlement volunteer was in charge of the coooking classes. She regretted that the eager students had to spend so much time laboriously copying down instructions and recipes from the blackboard. Then she had a brilliant idea. Why not print the lessons and recipes? Her volunteer ladies' committee thoroughly approved the plan. But the conservative gentlemen of the Settlement board refused to authorize the $18 required. They suggested the ladies have the work done on their own, and laughingly offered to "share in any profits from your little venture". The ladies were undaunted, and with the help of a friendly printer, advertisements were solicited to defray expenses, and the financial crisis was solved. In fact, a more ambitious book became possible. Mrs. Kander collected treasured recipes from the committee and their friends (many of them noted Milwaukee hostesses), as well as favorite European dishes of the students and their families, even recipes from noted chefs in this country and abroad. Mrs. Kander was an accomplished cook, yet her students were not. She realized that a "pinch" of this or that must be converted into accurate measurements, and the recipes expressed in the simplest and clearest language. Perhaps her greatest contribution ++ and a principle that continues to be observed ++was her insistence that every recipe be tested, not once but many times, by committee members in their own kitchens. (Mr. Kander once ordered her to "cut that pancake out of the bill of fare for at least a week"; how many other long-suffering families deserve our thanks.) Finally in April 1901, one thousand copies of a slim 174-page book appeared: The Way To A Man's Heart...The Settlement Cook Book. Nobody dreamed it would eventually sell a million and a half copies in all its revised and expanded editions to date. This little book was a hit from the start.

It was divided about equally between simple recipes for beginning cooks and more elaborate recipes for experienced cooks. Seemingly it pleased both groups, and copies of the first edition that were not needed for the cooking classes were quickly sold by a Milwaukeee merchant for fifty cents each. The demand for more copies led to another edition in 1903. It must have given Mrs. Kander and her committee great satisfaction when proceeds of the sale of the first two editions were graciously accepted by the board to purchase a site for a new Settlement House. In 1909 the cook book was able to provide the buildong for the new site. Bythis time the ladies, looking into the future, had formed the Settlement Cook Book Company, a philanthropic corporation expressly concerned with educational and recreational projects. Over the years, our cook book has benefited our community in many ways. We assisted in the establishment of the first nursery school in Milwaukee. We have contributed scholarship aid to students. The Settlement House and its successor have received financial for over sixty years. And the general community has benefited from contributions to many undertakings. We are proud to be a part of this nonprofit organization, and we think of those of you who use our cook book as our partners in these undertakings. From: The Settlement Cook Book: The Way To A Man's Hear Produced By: The Settlement Cook Book Co. 1965 Transcribed By: S. Lefkowitz Submitted By SAM LEFKOWITZ On 06-26-95

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