Bon Appetit, Badger Cookbooks

The UW Digital Collections recently went live with the Badger Bites: University of Wisconsin-Madison Cookbooks. Over the course of University history numerous campus-related organizations produced cookbooks. Containing more than just recipes, these cookbooks provide a look at how food has played a role in campus culture and identity. Whether designed for fundraising or for promotional purposes they capture a snapshot view of campus organizations of yore and the cultural environment surrounding them.

The Associated Women Students produced the cookbook pictured on the left as a new feature of Coeds’ Week in 1955. The book, called Bucky’s Favorite Foods, contains “tried and true” favorites of faculty, staff, and students at the University. Recipes were contributed by campus notables such as Carson Gulley, legendary campus dining hall chef, and Mrs. Alan Ameche, the wife of the UW football legend.

Delta Sigma Epsilon (1914-1956) was one of several sororities to produce a cookbook. Food Fare was produced by the “Friendship House Board” as “a book of recipes assembled to help convert our dream of FRIENDSHIP HOUSE, into a reality.”

These cookbooks are a glimpse into past student organizations on the UW Madison campus. They also might contain recipes you will want to try out, bon appetit!