[OPLINLIST] Cookbook Club

[Sue Shipe-Giles]

Hi Kallie,

I had set up a Cookbook Club before Covid. We had meetings several times a
quarter, had different themes or speakers, and shared dishes we prepared at
our homes. However, when Covid hit, it had to stop! Our library programs
had to be virtual, and when we did start having in-person programming
again, patrons were not interested in eating other people’s food prepared
at people’s houses (afraid of catching Covid!).

I still have my Cookbook Club members, but we have cooking demos, make your
own cookbook, healthy eating programs, etc. I also take photos of our new
cookbooks and send them to my group along with programming updates. It
isn’t what we started out to have, but I just keep trying to come up with
different foodie types of programs, plus promote our cookbooks (which are
very popular). We will be having our annual Holiday Baking Demo on the 16th
of December featuring one of our members who has her own bakery.

If you are trying to have an in-person group, we found our Tea Party was
popular each year, complete with different types of teas and tiny treats,
plus a talk on tea and tea history (again from a member).

Another holiday event that was always popular was a cookie exchange and
cookie decorating program. (I took some cake decorating classes at
Michael’s years ago, so I led the event.)

The OSU Extension was always great for food programs. The only problem was
our regular speaker recently quit her job to stay at home with her child! I
haven’t learned who her replacement is.

Take care, and Good Luck!!

Sue Shipe-Giles
Adult Services Librarian
Bexley Public Library
(614) 231-2793
sshipe-giles at bexleylibrary.org

<https://www.bexleylibrary.org/>

<https://www.facebook.com/bexleylibrary>
<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9fOqzb9ojp4OF70qWtFncw>
<https://www.instagram.com/bexleylibrary/?hl=en%20>

Sue Shipe-Giles

Adult Services/Civics

Pronouns:  She/Her

Bexley Public Library

Where Curiosity Meets Discovery

2411 E. Main St. Bexley, OH 43209

(614) 231-2793


On Tue, Dec 2, 2025 at 2:47 PM Kallie Stoll via OPLINLIST <
oplinlist at lists.oplin.org> wrote:

> I recently started a cookbook club at our library, but it's having a bit
> of trouble catching on. For January, we tossed around the idea of bringing
> someone in to talk about meal prepping, healthy eating on the go, etc. I
> was wondering if anyone has ever done something similar to this/ knows of
> any one I could connect with about doing this program. Thanks 🙂
> *Kallie Stoll*
> Adult Programmer
> Norwalk Public Library
> 46 W Main St. Norwalk OH 44857
> 419-668-6063
> kallie.stoll at norwalk.lib.oh.us
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