Book
Great News - You can buy a copy of my cook book from ‘www.fishpond.com.au‘
Objective of the Burmese Cookbook -
Flavors of Burma (Myanmar) - Cuisine and Culture from the Land of Golden Pagodas
The cookbook was written as a mean to promote Burma and its culture. Myanmar (Burma) is one of the least well-known countries in South-East Asia. I realise that we have heard unpleasant stories about Burma. There are good and bad sides of the people in each country. I do not want to get involved in politics. Let us concentrate on the beauty of this country as part of this world. Definitely, you will be surprised with your discovery.
Reasons to Discover the Cookbook
1. Make a collection of international cookbooks
2. Get an insight into Burma - culture, cuisine and its beauty
3. General education purpose for anyone of any age - for school libraries, office , home
4. Buy a copy as a gift - surprise someone
5. Conversation starter - tell everyone with your new discovery
6. Opportunity to try out new dishes - share it with your love ones.
Background to the Burmese cookbook
I like to share with my readers the back ground on creating the Burmese cookbook about 10 years ago. That was when Dennis (now my husband) and I started dating back in 1997. During that time, we spent time together cooking as part of dating activities. So naturally, I suggested cooking Burmese dishes. Through our discussion, I also had an idea of writing a Burmese cookbook.
But at the same time, I realised that it will be very difficult to persuade the publishers as Burma is so isolated from other countries and almost unheard of. I could not find any Burmese cookbook in Australia’s major bookstores. This created an opportunity for me to fill in the gap (niche market) and hoped that when it is completed, the market will accept the Burmese cookbook. All I wanted was able to have a cookbook published with my name on it for my own personal satisfaction and achievement!
I started writing the cookbook and at the same time reproducing the recipes with proper measurements. It was necessary because I do not use measurements to cook at home but for the sake of the book I needed to provide measurements and methods. So began the exciting period of cooking and writing the Burmese cookbook.
It took about a year to complete the draft document. I then started to contact all the publishers from Australia by phone in 1998. All the editors loved the concept of the Burmese cookbook and I was allowed to submit my proposal. It took each of them about 10 to 12 weeks before they responded back to me. They loved the book but did not think there will be enough market for profit. I spent one year within Australia to find the publisher. Then I started to send the manuscript to Singapore and UK searching for publishers desperately.
Then in 1999, one editor, Susan Haynes, from Orion Books went through the trouble of suggesting some other potential publishers from America and suggested that I contact Hippocrene publisher. I got the contract immediately. Prior to signing the contract with Hippocrene, I also got an offer from another American publisher. I decided to go with the latter because it promised to include colour photos in the cookbook unlike Hippocrene. However, the publisher withdrew the contract a year later before the book was about to be printed. So I contacted Hippocrene again in 2001 who still wanted to publish my cookbook. Two years later, the cookbook was finally on the market on March 2003. I hope the readers will appreciate the time and effort in getting this cookbook published!