'Cooking Kept Me Sane' Published by West Islip Resident Chef Jackie Valenti

Publication Announcement

PRESS RELEASE:

Wednesday, January 2, 2014

‘Cooking Kept Me Sane - Simple, Easy Dishes That Won’t Drive You Crazy!’ 

The new cookbook by Chef Jackie Valenti (CKMS Productions LLC, in print and eBook versions) is now published and available online through her website www.cookingkeptmesane.com

Chef Jackie is Jacqueline Valenti, a West Islip resident who has over the years has been actively involved with West Islip Little League, supporting both the West Islip Junior Varsity Baseball teams and the Boys Varsity Swimming teams, as well as fund-raising efforts for the West Islip Varsity / Junior Varsity sports programs (Big Shot concerts), and the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition and not surprisingly, many food and clothing drives.  (Her son, Thomas A Valenti, attended Westbrook Elementary, Udall Middle School and graduated West Islip High School class of 2009. Her husband is also a West Islip graduate class of 1977.)

Chef Jackie spoke about her cookbook, “Great recipes are daunting for most people. The problem is too many recipes have exotic ingredients and spices which only raise the cost of a meal, but don’t really add much to the meal. I shop where everyone in West Islip shops; Best Yet, Stop n’ Shop, King Kullen and Costco. Having a recipe printed out, with a list of ingredients with step-by-step directions to follow, is an essential part of great cooking. That’s why I wrote ‘Cooking Kept Me Sane.’”

“I’m very proud of the great people in West Islip! Raising a boy involved with sports means I’m very familiar with the Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency room! Being at one-time both a single mother and a breast cancer survivor, I know how to stretch a dollar and make every day alive count!”

After graduating the Culinary Academy of Long Island in Syosset, she interned at the former La Grange Restaurant, and then continued on to work with many four-star (Tellers) and several local high-end restaurants. “I began re-creating the same expensive meals for my family and friends at home for a fraction of the cost.  ‘Cooking Kept Me Sane’ has been designed so even the most inexperienced cooks will be able to make a delicious meal for their families, while staying well within their budget.”

‘Cooking Kept Me Sane’ offers 186 pages filled with photos, ingredients and directions to prepare delicious taste-tempting appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, desserts and much more! There is a bonus ‘Kid Friendly’ section as well.  Said Chef Jackie, “Knowing many young families whose children are very picky eaters, there are numerous recipes all children love!  As head cook for a 100-child day care center in Babylon, every one of the children, as well as some of their parents, would tell me all the time how much they loved my Mac and Cheese or Chicken Fingers and even the Meatloaf!”

Chef Jackie’s new four-star meals on a home budget cookbook can be reviewed at www.cookingkeptmesane.com

In addition, the website provides a free ‘recipe of the week’, as well as tutorial videos!  More videos are to be released on http://www.youtube.com/user/CookingKeptMeSane  

Chef Jackie continues to create new, uniquely family-oriented recipes daily while compiling her next cookbook and creating a series of cooking guides and classes to teach anyone how to cook like a Pro! She can be found on her Facebook fan page regularly offering quips and tips with a growing following of fellow foodies! https://www.facebook.com/jvcookingkeptmesane

Chef Jackie may be contacted for interviews directly at 631-334-1766 or by email at cookingkeptmesane@gmail.com