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Whitewater Cooks with Passion

Shelley Adams' publishes her fourth cookbook which will be in stores October 1.
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Nelson resident and author Shelley Adams has self published her fourth cookbook

Whitewater Cooks with Passion is the newest addition to the tasty trio of cook books full of fresh culinary delights by Shelley Adams. Her October 1 timing is perfect for the change in seasons as cooler weather brings us back into our kitchens to cook healthy meals to fuel the body and treat the palate.

Adams retired six years ago and fills her time with traveling and writing cook books that she self publishes. She is also developing bottled sauces. Her new book follows the same principles as her previous three in that they are full of "really good recipes that I have researched and read about," she said.  “And that I think people will want to make and make people’s life easier. So they can do what they want to be doing during the day and still eat at well at night.”

Even though the majority of her book sales come from Montreal, Calgary, and Toronto she continues to make reference to the local Nelson markets to attain ingredients as opposed to mentioning larger markets names.

She said her recipes are being shared all over North America and in back country lodges. “I’m happy that they are using them. It’s making people’s lives easier.”

The book contains recipes ranging from vegetarian, vegan, to meat lovers, fancy dining and picnic style. There are over 100 new recipes in the 204 page book which is larger than her previous works. She said there are a few good recipes from her recent travels to Spain and some new wheat substitutes that are new to the baking world.

“There’s basically no wheat in our house so there are several wheat free deserts that are delicious.”

Adams described the look of her new book. “It’s a cleaner more modern sophisticated look with a bohemian style while the layout is the same.”

Her and her husband Mike moved from Whistler 28 years ago and owned the Whitewater Ski resort until retiring six years ago. Adam’s famed hearty, warming and delicious cooking spread from the Whitewater Fresh Tracks Cafe across the hills from ski bums to socialites. The result has been a self publishing cook book bonanza of sorts. Adams has written four cook books in nine years.  “I just focus on writing about food,” she said.

Adams estimates it takes her 1.5 years to put a book together. She creates the entire book herself, choosing the fonts and style. She continues to use photographer Dave Gluns who’s colourful photographs bring out the flavour of what normally only tasting can reveal.

She loves self publishing.

“It gives me full control, the art and design. Your project remains your own until the very end.”

She will be speaking at the Whistler Writer’s Fest October 16 as the cookbook author and her focus will be speaking a fair amount about self publishing.

Retired since the age of 50, Adams writes cook books out of passion.  She did go to cooking school in Paris but she describes herself as more of a caterer than a restaurant cook.

“I have always loved Julia Child. I was at the Julia Child museum in Washington DC and there a was a big life sized Julia with a sign saying, ‘It’s my passion.’  Voila, the name for her fourth book was conceived.

Adams does all her own marketing and sales. She distributes the books locally herself and uses a Kelowna distributor.

New with the launch of Whitewater Cooking with Passion comes her debut over the southern border with US distributor Barns and Noble.

When she’s not creating in the kitchen, Adams has been doing a tons of [road]bike racing and skiing. “Whitewater has the best snow under your feet you’ll ever have,” she said.

Adams will be doing two local book signings at Cottonwood Kitchens on October 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Otter Books on October 11 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Whitewater Cooks with Passion will be in local book stores on October 1.