Authored by Julie Wilkinson Rousseau, the Alice Bay Cookbook was published in the Fall of 1985. It was noted by the New York Times “Best Seller List” as “Paperback Best Seller” at the same time as Dr. Suess’ You’re Only Young Once! With twenty years and several printings, the strength of the cookbook remains in its common kitchen approach using fresh seasonal, locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats and seafoods.

Julie has written about the relationship foods create around the table in celebrations such as Easter, island suppers in the company of neighbors and lots of picnic tables gathered by the bay. Included is the history of Skagit Valley from “Blanket Bill” Jarman in 1852, the first white man on Samish Island naming this bay Alice after his Indian wife and daughter of the Samish Chief Sehome. Pieces of history and memories of the Scandinavians, Dutch, Mexicans and Japanese who have added their special flavors to Valley cooking are also included in the Alice Bay Cookbook.

The Cookbook includes 250 pages of recipes from our collection and those of local cooks, pen-and-ink illustrations and bits of local history.

You may order your copy of the Alice Bay Cookbook from us directly, call toll free at 1 800 652 0223. A cost of $18.00 includes tax and postage, or find it at your local bookstore.

Plan to go to the market for some locally grown produce, prepare a seasonal meal in your kitchen and set the table with some northwest fare.

What Alice Bay readers write:

“I have tons of cookbooks, but I use the Alice Bay the most.”

“I use your book all the time…your blueberry muffins are the best and we used your Kransekake recipe for our daughter’s wedding.”

“It is my pink bible.”