The Center for Discovery cookbook wins international book award

HARRIS, N.Y. — A book that captures the recipes, stories and values behind The Center for Discovery’s groundbreaking approach to food has been recognized with an international book award.

“Feeding the Heart: Recipes, Flavors and the Seed to Belly Philosophy of the Department of Nourishment Arts” received a gold award in the category of Best Adult Non-Fiction Informational E-Book in the 2017 Independent Publishers Book Awards (IPPY Awards).

The Center for Discovery CEO Patrick H. Dollard (left) and Chief of the Department of Nourishment Arts, Chef Cesare Casella (right) collaborated on the book, “Feeding the Heart,” a 2017 IPPY Award winner. PHOTO BY J. JAMES WALL

“Feeding the Heart” is a cookbook and storybook collaboration between The Center for Discovery CEO Patrick H. Dollard and world-renowned chef, Cesare Casella, published in 2015. The book shares dozens of delicious recipes, as well as stories about how The Center uses food and farming to advance innovative models of care for its students and residents, who have complex disabilities, medical frailties and autism spectrum disorders. The book shares emotional stories about caretaking, food and farming, and gives insights into the passion behind the work at The Center for Discovery.
The IPPY Awards are the world’s largest international and regional book awards competition. The annual awards contest seeks to bring increased recognition to thousands of exemplary independent-, university- and self-published titles. This year’s contest drew 5,000 entries in 117 categories. The winning books create an excellent and diverse reading list for those exploring ways to solve the world’s problems, Independent Publisher said in announcing the list of winners.
The Center for Discovery is a residential, educational and research facility with multiple campuses in Sullivan County, NY, recognized internationally for providing the best care for people with severe disabilities, as well as advancing medical research in the field. Hundreds of students and adults come to The Center from across New York and other states for education and care. The Center’s Department of Nourishment Arts manages hundreds of acres of certified organic and biodynamic farmland, which feeds residents and staff, and brings healthy food into the community through its Community Supported Agriculture program.