National Federation of Press Women-- News Release
Helen Corey of Terre Haute, Indiana has just received a first place in the nation award for her newest cookbook Healthy Syrian and Lebanese Cooking. This is the most comprehensive contest in a crowded field of cookbooks submitted. Judges called her writings "a cultural treasure, full of tradition and history. Written with complete authenticity, her nutritious recipes along with health benefits in keeping with today's health foods are mouthwatering and tempting wanting you to visit this hostess' home for dinner. Corey's background gives her credibility of being the ground-breaker of all Middle Eastern books when her first book The Art of Syrian Cookery stayed on DoubleDay's best seller list for 24 years." This is the second time Corey has won first place in the nation for her previous book Food from Biblical Lands. The book covers a warm endorsement by Metropolitan Philip Saliba, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America as the only book of its kind that faithfully portrays the religious and cultural significance of foods eaten since the dawn of time. The author begins with an introduction to the land of Bible history, its mores and people and includes a description of customs, celebrationis and holidays. A chapter of menus for every occasion precedes the recipes which cover a wide variety of nourishing as well as flavorsome dishes that include photographs of squash with yogurt sauce, grape leaf rolls, meat pies, tabooley and baklawa, calculated to whip up enthusiasm in both gourmets and non-gourmets."

“Here is no ordinary cookbook!  It provides the reader with a mouth-watering adventure into the gastronomic pleasures of the Middle East.  Corey, whole family background makes her very well qualified to write a book of this kind, not only gives the reader precise detailed instructions for making many Syrian dishes, but also surrounds the foods with a fascinating account of why and when.  One learns, in this exciting book, a great many things about the people of Syria, their customs and beliefs, etc.”  - R. Walker

“A very unusual and truly interesting culinary masterpiece.  More than just a cookbook of recipes from the land of Yogurt and honey…a culinary trip to the land of Bible history with its detailed description of Mid-East customs, celebrations and holidays.  It contains a complete section on Lenten foods…”  - M. E. Rose, Brazil Daily Times

“One of the most fascinating of this year’s – or any year’s cookbooks in which you will find everything…an introduction telling of the country’s customs and traditions, and a chapter of Arabic menus for every occasion precedes the recipes which have been adapted for the American kitchen, etc.” - Prudence Penny, N. Y. Mirror

“All in all, it is a book, of which Miss Corey and everyone in general can be very proud and one which, no doubt, will give much pleasure to people of all faiths and nationalities.  For its art of preparing squash with yogurt sauce, grape leaf rolls, and many others, cannot help but develop a better understanding among those who try them.  And understanding is the recipe which binds men together in world brotherhood.” - New York Times

“…It is also the only book of it’s kind which faithfully portrays the religious and cultural significance of the various foods which people have eaten since the dawn of time.  We highly recommend that your book be used in all of our Antiochian Orthodox parishes.”

With sincere blessings and best wishes,
Metropolitan PHILIP
Primate
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese