Proceeds of the book will go towards helping communities in need.
When the pandemic first hit back in March 2020, many of us found ourselves with more time on our hands; time we felt compelled to fill. Whether it was tasking yourself with writing the next best-selling novel, running 5k or mastering the art of sourdough bread, the pressure to do more was apparent. And while many of us are now left with unworn running gear and 'used once' baking tins, for Katie Quinn, cookbook author, food stylist and photographer, her lockdown project was one she was determined to see come to fruition.
At the very start of the pandemic, Quinn found herself unemployed overnight. As the food industry closed its door in a bid to slow down the spread of coronavirus, Quinn's line of work was temporarily paused. During this period of unemployment, the award-winning photographer was inspired to create a digital cookbook that would reflect the digital times we were suddenly living in. Titled 'WKA Chopping Bored', each recipe in the book was created, photographed and designed solely by Quinn over the course of the past six months. Initially intended as something to focus on while work was scarce, the cookbook quickly grew into a passion project.
Having recently returned from living in Australia, Quinn quickly realised just how close to homelessness many of us are. It was with that in mind that Quinn decided to dedicate her digital cookbook to homelessness. 75 per cent of sales from the book will be donated to homelessness charities Dublin Simon Community and DePaul. Speaking to FOOD&WINE about the project and charity partnership, Quinn said:
I wanted to use my third cookbook to raise awareness of the homeless problem in Dublin which has been heightened due to Covid-19. I lost a lot of my work last year as I work in the food industry and it really bought to my attention just how quickly our working and living situation can change due to factors completely out of our own control. I think it’s a situation we are all very close to but something none of us ever think will happen to ourselves or our loved ones.
Quinn’s project demonstrates how we can be productive in lockdown and use our skills in a simple way for a good cause. To get your digital copy of 'WKA chopping bored', visit Katie’s gofundme link here. All donations in excess of €10 will be acknowledged with an email containing the digital cookbook within 24 hours. Separate donations can be made to Dublin Simon Community or DePaul by visting dubsimon.ie or depaulcharity.org
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