If you would have told Chanelle Jefferson a few years ago that her first book was going to be a cookbook, she may have laughed, still this Concordia student is set to launch her first book, My Nova Scotia Cookbook, later this week. From the time she was young, Chanelle Jefferson had always enjoyed painting, and with a grandmother who was a folk artist, her interest came naturally.  That passion for painting led her to take IB Art all through her high school years at Park View Education Centre. With support and encouragement from her art teachers, Chanelle decided to continue her studies, spending the last 2 years at Concordia University in Montreal in the Fine Arts program, with a minor in geology.

Heading into her 3rd season selling at local farm markets, Chanelle started to realize what kind of artwork people were drawn to and interested in. A combination of watercolour and ink, she currently sells prints, cards, posters postcards and bumper stickers at the markets and also on her Etsy shop . Chanelle was interested in creating something that gave her a chance to get her artwork out in a new way.

During a backpacking trip through Europe, Chanelle Jefferson saw an illustrated cookbook in Croatia, that she loved. It ignited the idea for doing one based on Nova Scotia recipes.  Still a University student and not much of a cook yet, Chanelle started taking cooking lessons, here and then in Montreal.  Upon returning to the South Shore last summer, she began collecting recipes from locals and family members. She then selected recipes she knew she wanted to feature in a cookbook and began testing them herself, making each recipe at least 3 times. Hosting dinners for her friends, to try out recipes became a frequent happening.

Besides writing and illustrating, Chanelle also learned how to design the book. She then began pitching her idea to publishers. With the aim to have it ready for this summer, Glen Margaret Publishing signed on to publish the My Nova Scotia Cookbook. With around 40 traditional Nova Scotia recipes, the cookbook includes contributions from family, friends and locals including Chef Tom Connors’s famous Seafood Chowder recipe.

Last summer Chanelle was contacted by Ann Barry to illustrate the cover of her book Sweet Ride. She has also started doing house portraits for people, becoming quite popular for family cottages, homes, etc. Chanelle plans on using the book sales to help her finish up her schooling and she is already formulating plans for a potential second book.

Chanelle is hosting a book launch for My Nova Scotia Cookbook on Thursday June 7  from 7:00pm-9:00pm at the Lunenburg School of the Arts. Chanelle will talking about the book, there will be light refreshments, Petite Riviere Winery will be there, as well as colouring pages for the kids.

My Nova Scotia Cookbook will be available at Coles and Indigo and several local spots like The Teazer in Mahone Bay,  Lunenburg Bound in Lunenburg, and the Fisheries Museum. You can also purchase the book from Chanelle’s Etsy shop.

Want to win a copy of My Nova Scotia Cookbook? Just click the link below and follow the directions for entry. Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway