The Syrian Lebanese Women’s Association’s (SLWA) cookbook, Ah’len, was recognised by Gourmand International as the best Trinidadian gastronomic publication of the year and one of the top charity cookbooks in the world. These distinctions allow the book to challenge other countries for the “Best in the World” award at the Paris Cookbook Fair carded for March 3 to 6. More than 4,000 books from 150 countries entered the competition.

The Paris Cookbook Fair is the world’s largest trade fair devoted to cookbooks, with a huge network of publishers, authors, printers and distributors in attendance. This year, for the first time, there will be an entire section at the fair for charity cookbooks. According to Gourmand President, Edouard Cointreau, “Charity Cookbooks have become a worldwide trend. Gourmand sets a light on these books because they combine the love for community and food with what is really important in life. They are a true measure of human reality.”

Representatives from the Syrian Lebanese Women’s Association will be travelling to Paris in March to exhibit their book at the fair. The SLWA was founded in 1950. Since then, its members have been committed to assisting the poor, sick and needy in Trinidad and Tobago. What began as a group of eight women and annual donations to charity of around $125, is now an organisation of more than three hundred and fifty members, and annual charitable contributions of over half a million dollars. All proceeds from the cookbook go towards the continuation of their work. Ah’len, a culinary journey through the eyes of the Syrian Lebanese Women’s Association of Trinidad and Tobago, is currently available at all major bookstores and other outlets, and is also available on Amazon.com