Cookbook for Mums a family favourite

LeeAnn Yare managed, art directed and styled a cookbook to raise funds for Balmoral School's swimming pool.

All schools need to raise funds. They hold gala days, sausage sizzles and raffles. Then there's Balmoral School in Auckland. The school's PTA, led by LeeAnn Yare, has produced a top quality cookbook. With support from the community and celebrity chefs, including Nadia Lim and Josh Emmett, the book is a credit to the team. Colleen Thorpe talks to LeeAnn about the project.

This cookbook is a fundraiser. Who came up with the idea and how?

I was keen to lead a major fundraiser for our school and what better way than to publish a book when I had spent the previous two years working on my own (Rooms to Love)? I've seen a number of great school cookbooks but wanted to take it to the next level.

What sort of organising was involved?

My team worked together to collect and edit recipe submissions, secure sponsorship, carry out a week-long photoshoot and then edit, edit and edit again.

Who and what are you raising funds for?

All proceeds will go from the Balmoral School PTA to support the Balmoral School outdoor swimming pool facility, which is an amazing community resource we want to ensure remains part of Balmoral School for many generations to come.

How did you decide on what recipes to choose?

We offered the opportunity to submit recipes to all our Balmoral school families and teachers and we received almost exactly the number we needed for the book. We were able to accommodate every submission that came in, with the exception of requesting alternatives for three chocolate brownie recipes!

The book is extremely professional for a school fundraiser. Who were the experts involved?

Me and my most amazing team of volunteers! I'm a proud author of two sell-out books, Rooms to Love and New Zealand Interior Style, and mum of Tyler and Dylan, who both attend Balmoral School.

So I managed, art directed, and styled the project with an amazing team of well-organised, hard-working, dedicated, food-loving school parents - Lou, Anna, Sasha and Julie. Penguin Random House published, Melanie Jenkins from Flash Studios photographed, and a host of other awesome people jumped on board to help in a myriad of ways. We also had a helping hand from a selection of our favourite celebrity Kiwi foodies who each handed over one of their own family favourites that they lovingly cook at home for their own families.

How did you go about testing and photographing the recipes?

We specifically sought out proven family favourites. Many of the recipes have been handed down through multiple generations. The entire book was styled and photographed in a week, thanks to meticulous organisation, with contributors mostly making their recipes and bringing them to set, so you see the love in every page.

There was no shortage of taste testers throughout the process!

Are you a foodie yourself?

Who doesn't love food?! I'm not the next Nigella but I guess I can hold my own, and I love food styling and making images look creative and editorial.

What is your go-to recipe for successful entertaining?

Good friends, a casual atmosphere, easy delicious food and lots of fun.

Any foods you won't eat?I'm not a huge shellfish fan and I really have to draw the line at offal.

Tell us three things about yourself that would surprise.

I'm not a fan of heights. My dining table, although it's more than three metres long, is often covered in stuff so we have to eat at one end most of the time. I always have a selection of tasty frozen meals in my freezer.

Everyday Easy Eats, published by Wairau Press, RRP $45. Available nationwide from collected.co.nz/collections/charity or by emailing the school at office@balmoral.school.nz