ITEM Publishing is a Polish based company specialising in medical works. Their CEO, Lukasz Celinski, saw the European Cook Book (ECB) and was so impressed by the quality of the recipes, photography, scientific information and its humanitarian objectives that he contacted the ESC for translation permission.
The ESC Publications Department was more than happy to work out the details with ITEM and the Polish Cardiac Society (PCS), keeping part of the work “off the books” in order to help the European Heart for Children charity, begun by Professor Roberto Ferrari and his wife Mrs. Claudia Florio. ITEM and the ESC especially appreciated the vitality and support shown by PCS’ Professor Janine Stępińska and Mrs. Beata Lewandowska.
Having finalised the business arrangements, ITEM needed Polish recipes that were not able to be included in the English edition. Of course, this meant that like all of the original recipes, a top class chef would need to cook the dishes and have them photographed to a high standard. In Poland, who better than perhaps their most famous chef Robert Sowa, for us non-Poles, this is the equivalent of having Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver or a Michelin starred TV chef contribute to the book.
The Polish translation’s launch occurred at the Polish Cardiac Society’s annual meeting in Poznań from the 23rd to 25th September 2012. Having established great relations with Mr. Celinski and having sensed the enthusiasm around the project, the Polish Cardiac Society allowed ITEM to present the book from the Society’s own stand.
What has followed is perhaps the ideal scenario for the EHC. Government interest was instantly ensured by the presence of Polish members of Parliament, who found the book to be so pertinent and of such a high standard, that it has now been recommended to the public by the Polish Ministry of Health.
Media interest in the ECB, the ESC and the PCS followed, with Newsweek contacting the book’s authors for a soon to be published interview, as well as Polish TV stations also showing their interest in chef Sowa’s involvement.
A major order for 2500 copies came within 2 weeks of the book’s launch and plans have begun to produce a new book format that’s even more accessible to a mass audience.
For now, all has been good news for the EHC charity and it’s just the beginning, because there’s a special festive season surprise to come in December. It’s secret for now, but you will learn about it first right here.
Discover the original English European Cook Book here
Our mission: To reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.