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NEW COOKBOOK—Lauren Seth holds a copy of her new cookbook: “Cooking with Lucy Mae”, which describes her “Whippin In The Kitchen” for her good meals. Her new cookbook was published on March 20, 2020, and is dedicated “To my son, Brylen, whose spirit encourages and feeds my soul daily. And to J’shum. Your, love, laughter, and memoires are as timeless as the thought of you.” (Photo by Krista Carpenter) -
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Today, it’s my pleasure to recognize a new “local author,” from right here in Littlefield, who has just had years of hard work and perseverance pay off, in the publishing of her new cookbook on March, 20, 2020: “Cooking with Lucy Mae Whippin In The Kitchen.”
Lauren is the daughter of Candy Seth, the Librarian of the Lamb County Library in Littlefield, Lauren and I sat down this past Tuesday to discuss her new Cookbook, her Catering Business as well, and also her three new seasonings.
Lauren proudly enjoys the nickname of “Lucy Mae,” which has an interesting history, as to how that name came about, and which is now quickly becoming a household name.
Lauren has a wonderfully vibrant, friendly personality, which led to the beginning of her nickname of Lucy Mae.
Lauren explained, “When I was a little girl, my cousin, Ashlei and I were always getting into mischief. My Mama began calling me Lucy Mae and my cousin, Ethyl Mae, but my curiosity very often got the best of me, so the name Lucy Mae has stuck with me. My Catering business, having the title of “Lucy Mae’s Catering”, embodies everything my business is.”
Lauren has overcome many obstacles and sadness in the last four years, to finally reach 2020, and achieve, not only her dream of a Cookbook, but to also begin her Catering Business, called “Lucy Mae’s Catering.”
I asked Lauren where this all began, to which she replied: “I have always had a passion for cooking since I was a young child. That passion began with my Granny, Elzra Carr, who was born in 1918. I always cooked with her, and I can remember so many things she cooked. There were grits, bacon, eggs, fried chicken, and oh, her wonderful peach cobbler.
“When I was little, my Granny would have me rinse the greens to get all the dirt off, because my fingers were little and I could get them very clean.”
“My Granny had 13 children, which of course meant she cooked a lot! She sure could cook!”
Lauren went on to explain “Now, I have a son, Brylen, who is 7 years old, and my dream began to take shape when he was just 3. He’s definitely my biggest supporter, and he’s my inspiration to keep going and never quit. Every time I look at him, I know why I do what I do every single day, and that God has taught me to walk by Faith, not by sight.”
Lauren actually began her new Cookbook: “Four years ago, I be gan writing my favorite recipes down, and I decided I wanted to compact them into a book of my own, filled with my Soul Food and Cajun delights for everyone to enjoy.”
Lauren went on to explain that, last year, on May 23rd, 2020, she had a tragic loss of her nephew, J’Shun, and that he was her favorite taste tester and he never turned down one of her delicious meals that she cooked.
Lauren stated: “When J’Shun passed away, it hit me hard, and everything literally came to a stop for me for awhile. Then, two months after he passed away, I went to visit him at his grave, and I told him that I needed some type of motivation to finish my Cookbook. Suddenly, I felt the warmth come over me, like one of his huge hugs he use to give me, and I knew right then that it was a sign from him and that he wanted me to continue to finish my book.”
“So by February 20, 2020, I finished it, and then added in a few special pages of acknowledgement and some information for the readers of different types of foods and their origins. I also created three of my own special seasonings, which are beef, chicken and Cajun seasonings as well, that I’ve now released.”
In closing, and Lauren replied: “My Cookbook is in relation to my “Lucy Mae’s Catering business” and it goes to show that you never know where life is going to take you. Some of us have a fire that burns very deeply inside of us, and I call that fire a passion, which for me evolved into my new business, my Cookbook and also my Seasonings. My successes are just a few of the many things I want to accomplish in my life.”
Lauren, I would like to say it was my pleasure to visit with you, and we wish you many years of success in all your endeavors, and I’m sure we will visit again someday soon with even more amazing news of your success.