MSU alumnus Eli Sussman, left, and University of Michigan alumnus Max Sussman sign copies of their cookbook, “Freshman in the Kitchen: From Clueless Cook to Creative Chef” at a book signing Saturday at Student Book Store, 421 E. Grand River Ave. The brotherly duo learned their craft of cooking while working in restaurants, cafes and summer camps.
An MSU graduate has joined forces with his brother to produce a cookbook for hopeful college chefs at MSU and across the country.
Eli Sussman, a 2007 MSU graduate, and his brother Max have used their love and knowledge of food to create the book, “Freshman in the Kitchen: From Clueless Cook to Creative Chef.”
The book is now available across the country and on Web sites including Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com.
“We all knew it would do well and it really can relate to everyone,” said the brothers’ father, Marc Sussman.
Eli and Max said they have been exposed to cooking throughout their lives and have realized how hard it is to cook independently. Both brothers have had experience in the food industry and still actively work in the business.
“I was assistant chef at a summer camp and my brother was the head chef there and I also work for many catering companies in Los Angeles,” Eli said. “Max has also been in cooking jobs since he was 17.”
Eli worked at Lou & Harry’s Five Star Deli, 245 Ann St., while at MSU and said he watched students waste money on food they could make themselves. Using their background in cooking, Eli and Max finally came up with the idea during their senior year to help students.
“We really wanted to show people that if they put the effort into food, they can eat the same things from restaurants without spending as much money,” Eli said. “ We can relate to every student who is on their own in college and watching the unhealthy habits of many students.”
With support from colleagues and family members, the book has seen success.
“The boys are great to work with, we’re always laughing,” said Shira Klein, vice president of the Huron River Press, which printed the cookbook. “The book is getting rave reviews and is spreading to people everywhere.”
With more than 85 recipes, the cookbook has tips for independent chefs to make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
“The cookbook has a chapter on how to stock your kitchen, how to grocery shop, how to grill and has tons of tips, techniques and stories throughout,” Eli said.
The Student Book Store, 421 E. Grand River Ave., brought the cookbook to MSU this weekend with a book signing on Saturday morning before the MSU football game.
“We brought them in on a tailgate day because the business would be very good — also many workers read the book here and think it’s great,” said Larry Irish, tradebook manager of the bookstore.
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