Edmonds Cookery Book

Edmonds Cookery Book
2008 centenary edition
LanguageEnglish
Publication placeNew Zealand
Media typePrint
641.5
The third (1914) edition of the Edmonds 'Sure to Rise' Cookery Book.

The Edmonds Cookery Book is a recipe book focusing on traditional New Zealand cuisine. It was first published as The Sure to Rise Cookery Book in 1908[1] as a marketing tool by baking powder manufacturer Thomas Edmonds (today part of Goodman Fielder), but it is now known as a Kiwi icon.

The cookbook has been through many editions and reprints, adapting to changing tastes and new technology. Only two copies of the first (1908) edition are known to survive.[1] In 1955, the first "De Luxe" edition was introduced. The 69th De Luxe edition was released in 2016.[2]

Since 1955, the front cover has featured the former Edmonds factory in Linwood, Christchurch (demolished in 1990). Spiral binding was introduced in 1976 to allow the book to stay open and flat.[3]

The book has been described as "as much a part of New Zealand kitchens as a stove and knife," and at one time it was "sent unsolicited to every newly engaged couple in New Zealand."[4]

Edmonds recipe books have sold over 3,000,000 copies. It remains New Zealand's fastest selling book with over 200,000 copies sold in one year.[citation needed]

  1. ^ a b "The Edmonds Cookbook". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 17 February 2009.
  2. ^ "Iconic Edmonds cookbook given mouthwatering makeover". Stuff. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  3. ^ Houlahan, Mike (2 January 2019). "Edmonds' recipe for success". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  4. ^ Palenski, Ron: Kiwi Milestones : New Zealand's Population Through the Millions Hodder Moa Beckett, 2004 ISBN 978-1-86958-981-3