Old Rochester students cook up a holiday fundraiser to share
From left to right: James Russell, Luke Pierre and Rafael Duarte, 3 class officers who created the cookbook, pose infront of an Old Rochester Bulldog. Photo by Mari Huglin
Example of a recipe for beef stew that will be in the Old Rochester community Cookbook. Source: Kate Ribeiro
Another recipe for 'Mountain Mac and Cheese' that will be in the cookbook. Source: Kate Ribeiro
The cover of the community cookbook. Source: Kate Ribeiro
From left to right: James Russell, Luke Pierre and Rafael Duarte, 3 class officers who created the cookbook, pose infront of an Old Rochester Bulldog. Photo by Mari Huglin
Example of a recipe for beef stew that will be in the Old Rochester community Cookbook. Source: Kate Ribeiro
Another recipe for 'Mountain Mac and Cheese' that will be in the cookbook. Source: Kate Ribeiro
The cover of the community cookbook. Source: Kate Ribeiro
MATTAPOISETT — The junior student body class officers of Old Rochester Regional High School wanted a fundraiser that benefited everyone. They decided to create a cookbook of shared recipes called the “Bulldog Bites Cookbook.”
Back in early November, Rafael Duarte, Luke Pierre and James Russell came together to ask families for recipes they really love and represent their homes.
“What we've done is just compiled them into a cookbook that kind of reflects all the recipes of our Bulldog community,” said Pierre, the junior class president.
The goal is to raise $6,000 for senior prom and have every junior class member sell at least two cookbooks.
“The major goal is just to fundraise and then also get diversity out into the community,” said Duarte, the junior class treasurer.
Kate Ribeiro, who teaches English at Old Rochester, leads the class officers and explained they wanted to make a more meaningful fundraiser that gives back to the community and includes a class gift back to the school.
“We always want to think of meaningful [fundraisers] that [the community] can actually enjoy instead of saying ‘let's spend money on a bucket of popcorn,’” said Ribeiro.
Each of the officers reflected on their favorite parts of the project. The officers said their favorite recipes included a recipe for Mac and Cheese called ‘Mountain Mac and Cheese,’ Portuguese beef stew and chocolate cake.
“I think one of my favorite parts is seeing how all the recipes have built up over time. You know you start off with a few submissions and then it just all comes together,” said Pierre.
The officers also enjoyed looking through all the recipes, seeing different versions of similar dishes from all around the world.
“I honestly like to see how diverse our community is and the cuisine and culture that comes with it,” said Duarte.
Each book is $25 and comes as a print edition with approximately 50 recipes included.
The group hopes to sell all their cookbooks before Dec. 1 so families can enjoy them for the holidays. Families will most likely receive their books on Dec. 10.
Ribeiro hopes more people will hear about the cookbook and purchase one before the holidays. A link to order can be found here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/.
“We're just hoping that the community spreads it and knows that they can purchase a book even if they don't have a student [attending the school],” said Ribeiro.
