The Grapevine: A Little Italian Heritage History Cooked up in Form of Cookbook Nearly Half a Century Old

The Board of Directors of the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival are busy preparing for the first official event of the 2026 festival. On Saturday, April 25, the Spring Gala will be held. The purpose of the Gala is to announce the young lady who will reign as Regina Maria and her court.
 
As we prepare for this event our thoughts go to everything Italian and especially to food. Several weeks ago, I got a call from J. J. Madia inquiring if I had a copy of an early cookbook published by the festival. My first reaction was that there was not an early cookbook but after some thought and research I remembered this early publication.