about this project

One quiet Saturday afternoon in early 2026, Audrey's eldest child surprised his eldest child with a wild idea: a commission to research, test, and publish a cookbook in memory of his mother's legacy.

Brianne accepted gracefully, as she had begun a similar project two decades earlier that remained unfinished. Included here are many of Mimi's standbys, recalled by those who treasured them.

Many dishes were not in recipe form, many were in memory, and the highest level of detail has been executed to honor their history. Five aunts, thirteen cousins, and the spirited opinions of great-grandchildren contributed to this project.

The author is also indebted to the culinary records kept, cherished, and shared by Hala Ayoub Sandridge. This project is also dedicated to the memory of her parents, Louba and Elia Ayoub.