Cook Book Helps College Kids Navigate Unchartered Territory – The Kitchen

Alice Hincker prepares a selection from her new cook book.

If the name Alice Hincker sounds somehow familiar, it may be because of a past foray into local politics – she ran for Roanoke City Mayor in 2004. It first appeared her sole opponent was Nelson Harris, a candidate she believed she had a good chance of beating, but the race became a three-way contest when Mac McCadden unexpectedly signed up and Harris got the eventual nod. A school safety issue initially propelled her into the political arena where she found both passion and support, but over time she longed to return to the quiet, albeit busy life she once enjoyed.

Nowadays, Hincker is content to live mostly under the radar; she and husband Michael became Salem residents some years back and she has spent a good bit of her time keeping up with their two college age sons.

It was the close relationship with them that triggered her most recent project, a cookbook geared to college students who are finding that the kitchen is a little harder to navigate than they thought. Hincker recounts that during a walk one morning she received several phone calls from her younger son as he was preparing to make one of his favorite recipes – Thai pizza.

She gave him a quick run-through, thinking he was all set, but then received another call asking about shrimp sizes … and another … and finally, later that afternoon he called to ask, “Tell me again, what do scallions look like?”

It was in that moment that the idea for the book was born. Hincker eventually used it for the title, even though she entertained several contenders before settling on that one. It seemed the best choice to convey the book’s approach and catch the eye of her intended audience.

The book is billed as an “invaluable guide [that] makes cooking a skill that all students can perfect without constantly needing help from home.”

Hincker, who “loves to cook,” has many family favorites to share. “Crab Imperial” came from her aunt who lives on the Eastern Shore. Being one of five girls (and one brother), the sisters share a lot of family recipes. When either of her sons come home for a visit, the “big treat is for me to cook for him.”

The book is user-friendly, able to stand up or lie flat for easy reference while cooking. She chose a “good combination of recipes,” many of which her kids grew up on. The book is arranged in sections with catchy college-themed titles.

In line with the latest social networking venues popular especially with younger generations, Hincker is on Facebook (Campus Cook), and will be posting a new recipe each month on her website (campuscooking.net) which can be printed and added to the book.

The recipes contain everything the college student – or anyone new to cooking – will need to successfully tackle the recipe. A comprehensive ingredient list is included for items the budding chef will need, right down to a cook top if one is called for.  Dollar signs indicate whether the recipe is relatively inexpensive to prepare or will require a bit more of an investment (more dollar signs).

When asked if there seem to be consistent favorites, Hincker readily ticks off a list, starting with her son’s favorite, the Thai Pizza, in addition to Lasagna, Pork BBQ (p. 90), and Beer Bread (p. 139).

Hincker’s son Chris recounted to his mom that he once invited five girls over for a dinner that he planned to cook. She was incredulous, wondering why he would go to all that trouble.  True to collegiate form and typical guy thinking, Chris replied, “’cause I’ll get five dinners / reciprocal invites in return.”

With any luck there will be five additional takers for the new cookbook his mom just published.

“Tell Me Again … What Do Scallions Look Like?” can be found locally at Printer’s Ink, Ram’s Head, and Consignment 1st, or can be ordered online at Campuscooking.net. Students can also ask Hincker questions via the contact information on the same website.

By Cheryl Hodges
[email protected]

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