They say the next best thing to eating food is talking about it–which is why a unique newcharity cookbook which lifts the lid on the best recipes that Southend has to offer, past and present, is set to dish up gastronomical goodies galore.

Cooking-on-Sea is the first recipe book of its kind to be compiled in the borough and offers an insight into the dining habits of Southend’s residents, business owners, restauranteurs and even a few local VIPs.

Packed with 40 tantalising recipes submitted by a variety of local people – including chefs as well as MP Sir David Amess, Southend mayoress Louise Moring and leader of the council Ron Woodley – the book has come about thanks to the generosity of Southend businesswoman Emma Wynne-Morgan.

Costing a minimum donation of £15, every single penny raised through sales of Cooking-on-Sea will be donated to the homeless charity Homeless Action Resource Project (Harp) which provides emergency housing to homeless people across Southend as well as a range of other crucial services.

Emma, 52, who owns the glossy magazine publishing company Oracle Publications, got the idea for the book while eating dinner one night with her four children.

“I had been thinking a lot about how I wanted to give something back to the community because my business is celebrating its 10th anniversary,” she said, “We were having a lovely family dinner and it occurred to me how much of a blessing that is and what it must be like for people who don’t have a family, a place to call home or even the resources to have a hot meal each night. It’s something we all take for granted.

“That’s when I decided to compile a charity cookbook and donate the proceeds to Harp because of the amazing work they do.”

Emma had all the expertise for the job.

She set up the Thorpe Bay Oracle magazine a decade ago from her bedroom in her home, when she was a struggling housewife with little business experience.

“I needed a business to make a go of as we were struggling for money and I had young children to feed and so I thought ‘right, I’ve just got to make this work’,” she said.

That Emma certainly did. Since then she’s turned her idea for an upmarket glossy magazine serving the affluent areas of Southend into a thriving small business, employing five people and producing twowellknown lifestyle magazines for Southend every two weeks, including the Oracle-on-Sea.

Emma and her team spent months putting the recipe book together, asking the local community to submit their own favourite recipes, designing the pages and printing the book.

Although it was hardwork she says the finished product is even better than she could have hoped for.

“It’s something really special and unique because every recipe has been submitted by someone in the borough. We’ve had restaurant owners sharing their beloved recipes, mums sharing their secret family recipes, all sorts!

“The book is also packed with beautiful photographs taken all around Southend by local people. We held a competition for people to have their photos in the book and the standard is fantastic.

“There is definitely something for everyone in the book, no matter what your tastes. We have fish and meat sections, kids recipes, desserts and starters and even some gluten-free dishes.”

Southend MP Sir David Amess is one of the prominent names to submit an offering in the book, sharing the recipe for his all-time favourite dish, simple grilled seabass.

Readers will also find directions to whisk up spiced mango duck breast thanks to Guy Spiers, head chef at the Park Inn Palace Hotel, who cites this as his favourite dish.

Meanwhile, Louise Moring, the mayoress of Southend, who is married to mayor, AndrewMoring, opts for a continental favourite with her recipe, Auvergne leg of lamb, while Cllr Ron Woodley, leader of the council, shares his passion for baked aubergine medley.

Emma, who still lives inThorpe Bay, where she grew up and went to school, is hosting a launch party for the book in Southend tonight, where she has invited supporters of the project. It will also be a celebration of her business milestone.

“I have high hopes for the book as I want to raise as much money for Harp as possible but I do genuinely think it’s a great little cookery book and something so special because it’s such a community effort,” she said.

“We are lucky, we have some outstanding restaurants in the borough, we are spoiled for choice and several popular restaurants have supplied a recipe, but sometimes it’s those longheld family recipes – of which there are plenty in the book– you come across that just blow you away.”

Emma says she hopes her charitable effort will inspire other small businesses to do something similar for good causes.

“I was determined to do something for the community to markmy businesses tenth anniversary and being honest, it was hardwork. But nothing worth doing is easy. I’m so grateful to the amazing support we’ve had from everyone who sent in a recipe and every business that has sponsored a page in the book.

“I have a saying I tell my children, ‘if you reallywant something then make it happen. Don’t come to me with excuses!’ I make sure I takemy own advice so once the seeds for the cookbook were sown, nothing was going to stop me.”

Foodies across the borough will want to snap up the book, which Emma says will make a cracking Christmas present for a loved one.

“Not onlywill you be helping yourself, your family and friends by giving the book you’ll also be helping to improve the lives of many unfortunate and very grateful people.

“I’m lucky enough that I’ve never been homeless but I’ve seen with my own eyes how easy it is for a youngster to end up there.

“I can’t think of anything worse than one of my children being homeless and at the end of the day, every homeless person we have here in Southend is someone’s child.”

  • Visit www.oracle publications.co.uk/cooking-onsea to order the book or call 01702 393838. A minimum donation of £15 is requested