Switchin in Da Kitchin with Mama ’Nem

About the Book

Switchin in Da Kitchin with Mama ’Nem is a collection of selected, tried, and preferred recipes, crafts, cooking measurements, and health and household ideas submitted by over eighty friends, family members, associates, and neighbors plus the golden collection of culinary treasures from Mrs. Ida’s kitchen. Though this collection includes areas such as Mexico, Cambodia, Bahamas, Australia, Milwaukee, and Georgia, the focus is southern cooking. With the increasing popularity of Mexican dishes, there is a section dedicated to the most favored Mexican meal choices. A very comprehensive kitchen weights and measures chapter is included to make meal preparation quicker and easier. Other features include cooking points; meals just for two; menus and kitchen activities for children; canning, preserving, and pickling instructions; an easy-to-use meal planning chart with proper wine pairing suggestions; health and household tips. For locals and visitors, a section is included, spotlighting three of Richmond’s premier southern-cooking restaurants, with a sample menu from each. The last chapter is designed “Just for You.” This is an area dedicated to your preferred entries. (special recipes, useful crafts, favorite household and health solutions, children’s favorites, etc.).

About the Author

Ida Annette Minor Ward was born and lives in Richmond, Virginia. She spent her childhood in the West Moore and Harrison Street areas of the city. She attended Moore Street and Elba neighborhood elementary schools in Richmond and Charles Young in Washington DC, where the family relocated during her father’s service in the US Navy. Upon returning to Richmond, she attended and graduated from Armstrong High School then Virginia Union University, earning a BA degree in sociology/education. Entering the work world very early, she held many jobs from maid and waitress to modern and ballroom dance instructor. Her first professional assignment, upon graduating college, was Director of Teenage Program for the YWCA. She taught at Virginia Randolph and J. R. Tucker High Schools. While still in the Henrico County School System, she accepted the additional responsibility of working with the American Institute for Foreign Study, becoming the area coordinator of their overseas academic and travel programs. She worked with children from France, Spain, Japan, Italy, and England, providing them varied cultural enrichment activities through academic sessions, tours, and community activities. This afforded them a variety of American experiences. While in that position, she seized the opportunity to plan and escort several overseas tours with children and adults from America, traveling extensively throughout Western Europe, with extensions that included the Middle East and the Aegean Islands. Her fascination with travel inspired her planning events for family, friends, and organizations, such as treks to the Poconos, the Concord Resort, weekend get-a-ways to the Chalets at Wintergreen, and fun-packed trips to Disney World and Penn Dutch Country. Currently, she works with Richmond Public Schools as teaching coach or tutor and with the Virginia State Senate, when the Virginia General Assembly convenes annually. Some special affiliations include: Virginia Union University, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Richmond Jazz Society, APC, Bon Tons, Moore Street Missionary and Pilgrim Journey Baptist Churches.