Laurina's Kitchen: Generations of Heirloom Dishes from the Ecobelli Family

by Lora Lee Ecobelli & Tom Ecobelli

ISBN-13: pending
ISBN-10: pending
LCCN: pending
Product #: SCP-0040
Anticipated Retail Price: $29.95
Physical: pages (TBD), 8.5" x 11", softcover, color interior, illustrated
Pub. Date: June 1, 2012
Retail & Library Distribution: please contact us

Publication Information Sheet

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In the coming weeks we'll provide updates and information about the release date and the book launch party. You can join our email list through the link at left, or scroll down this page to get updates about the book and movie through the authors' Facebook pages.

Book Summary

Laurina’s Kitchen is a collection of recipes, memories, and stories inspired by the authors' grandmother Laurina Ecobelli. Laurina (Laura), along with their grandfather Donata (Dan) and their father Ralph, operated Ecobelli’s Tam O’Shanter Inn on Route 50 in Ballston Spa for over 40 successful years. This lively and entertaining cookbook contains the heirloom family recipes for many of the popular dishes for which ”The Tam” was famous, including their legendary pizzas. Also featured are recipes from close friends and other members of the Ecobelli family who were all inspired by Laurina’s creative flair. The recipes are accompanied by photos of the finished dishes, and additional illustrations of some of the more difficult steps to preparation. A colorful and eclectic mix of ephemera, such as menus, postcards, and matchbook covers, help to bring this Upstate New York institution back to life. Peppered throughout are images of the Ecobellis and their extended "family" around the restaurant and at home, as well as special memories contributed by the staff, patrons, and friends who were all a part of the restaurant's devoted community. It is a loving tribute to Laurina’s legacy.

Laurina's Kitchen is a companion piece to the forthcoming movie, Chickadee, also written by the brother and sister team of Tom and Lora Lee Ecobelli. Chickadee is based on the real life experiences of Laurina Inzinna (Ecobelli), whose childhood abuse and exploitation sparked a landmark court case in upstate New York in 1923.

Press Releases

(PDF documents)

• 1/30/12 - Memories of Ecobelli’s Tam O’Shanter Restaurant sought by book publisher

Media Coverage

(These links will open another browser window.)

• Lora Lee Ecobelli: One Smart Chickadee - article in Her Life Magazine (May 2012) by Ann E. Butenas
• Lora Lee Ecobelli interview - Alternatives for Healthier Living with Hank McGrath
  (NOTE: This is a long show with intermittent music; once the broadcast starts, you can jump to 26:45 if you want to listen to just Lora Lee's interview.)
• A Heaping Serving of Memories - article for The Spotlight by Julie Cushine-Rigg
• Laurina's Kitchen - Facebook page maintained by the authors.
• Chickadee - Official movie web site.
• Chickadee on Facebook - Facebook page for the movie Chickadee.

About the Authors

Tom and Lora Lee Ecobelli are a brother and sister writing team originally from Ballston Spa, New York. Their family owned Ecobelli's Tam O'Shanter Inn for over forty years. They are both actors, writers and producers, and the writers/producers of the feature film Chickadee based on a journal written by their grandmother Laurina.

Author Events

Please contact us to schedule an author appearance, signing, or lecture.