CHRIS VANEYNDE

NORWAY — Chris VanEynde of Norway is no stranger to The Daily News’ holiday cooking competitions, having contributed many recipes that won in numerous categories, including the grand prize twice.

Now, this award-winning home cook has compiled her favorite tried and true recipes in a cookbook.

“I love to share recipes and cooking tips,” VanEynde said. “Often times when I’m out and about, people will stop and ask me for recipes, serving ideas or cooking tips.”

Her love of cooking started in her grandmother’s and mother’s kitchens, she said.

“Just from them talking about food, I learned how to know whether a recipe was good or not or even missing an ingredient just by reading it,” VanEynde said. “When other kids were reading novels, I was reading cookbooks.”

Every job VanEynde has had involved the food industry, starting in high school when she worked for Bonnie’s Pastie Shop and caterer Dora Lovato, among others. She continued working in catering for many years, often cooking for friends.

In addition, VanEynde taught cooking classes for community schools. Bringing people together around food and sharing led to her writing a food column for The Norway Current newspaper.

During her 30 years employed by Norway-Vulcan Area Schools, she worked her way up to head cook and food service director.

VanEynde wrote “Eat Dessert First” in part because of her grandmother, in whose kitchen she learned her love of cooking.

“I have almost none of her recipes. Now that I’m a grandmother, I don’t want my recipes lost to my family, my friends, and all who love good home cooking. This is why I’m sharing my favorite recipes in this cookbook,” VanEynde said.

Good home cooking doesn’t need to be complicated or time consuming, she added. Although she prefers making everything from scratch, she’s all for taking shortcuts in today’s busy world.

“You no longer have to cut down a chicken, as my grandmother did — you can buy your favorite parts, even deboned and skinless. Nor do you need a lot of ingredients. I’m all for making it easy as simple cooking is still the best,” VanEynde said.

When asked why she named her cookbook “Eat Dessert First” when it includes main dishes, sides, salads, soups and breads as well as dessert, she said, “Because the grandkids know when we sit down to dinner, grandma always says, ‘Eat dessert first. Life is short and every moment should be lived to the fullest.'”

VanEynde knows this firsthand, since this past year has been a challenge for her. A couple of heart attacks and kidney failure forced her to put completion of her book on hold for a while.

Now in dialysis, she said she is going strong and enjoying every day, thanks to the prayers and help from family and good friends.

“Eat Dessert First” will be available in early January, but VanEynde is taking preorders and offers gift certificates to those buying the book as a Christmas gift.

To order a copy of this hardcovered, comb-bound cookbook with more than 490 of her favorite recipes, contact VanEynde.

The most important ingredient in home cooking is love,” VanEynde said.