The Ecumenical Conference of Charity (ECC) launched it’s major 2004 fund raising project, a Cook Book titled ‘O! Taste & See’, on the 19^th February.

The event was held in the Haagen Dasz Café in Dana Mall with Mrs. Elaine Neumann, the wife of the U.S Ambassador to Bahrain as guest of honour. The Dean,  the Very Rev Alan Hayday was present to give a blessing of the project.

The cook book is the brain-child of Avril Taylor-Khajah who first thought of the idea as a fund raising project more than two years ago. In order that the book be a success it was necessary to obtain sponsorship to cover all the costs of printing. ECC volunteer Mariam George worked hard obtaining sponsors, the main one being the local company Intercol chairman Abdulrahman Al Wazzan who together with his wife Lynne and daughter Mahin readily offered to take on this responsibility.

The book of 250 pages containing more than 450 recipes proved to be a success immediately. More than 130 copies were sold on the first day and a further 250 during the following week. The attractive cover and promotional posters and fliers are the work of local artist Suresh Karunakaran. Recipes were obtained from numerous sources including local hotels, and Avril and I spent many hours typing, arranging and proof-reading. To ensure that the book was correctly laid out Avril also spent many more hours at the printers with Vinod, the operative designated for the task by Dar Akbar AlKhaleej, and this has all paid off with a well finished product.

ECC volunteers are now being very active in promoting the book within their various church congregations. Some commercial outlets are also selling the books on our behalf. At BD5.000 per copy the book is excellent value and many are purchasing a second or third copy to give as presents.  Once again the ECC volunteers wish to express their sincere gratitude to all the sponsors, particularly Intercol who in addition to acting as main sponsor hosted the launch ceremony with free refreshments for the more than 70 guests who attended.

All proceeds from the sale of the book will be used in the various outreach programmes of the ECC helping the poor and disadvantaged in Bahrain.

Rod Taylor
27^th February 2004