The Recipe For A Great Fundraiser • Fundraising Successes

Chuckwagon Recipes

“People say they see our cookbooks everywhere. They have done well for us, and it has been a good experience. Encouraged by Western artist Justin Wells, we first said, ‘Oh, we have never done anything like that!’ Now we’ve sold over 17,000 cookbooks!” Sue Cunningham

Born and raised in Texas, sisters Sue Cunningham and Jean Cates have published cookbooks that are a true celebration of family and Western heritage.

“Some of our recipes have been in the family for years. We have forgotten where some came from, created some and got some from sharing with friends,” said Sue. “We were raised with it, got it first hand.”

First hand may be an understatement. Sue and Jean’s father, Dick Shepherd, had been a cowboy, rancher and chuckwagon cook, who readily passed on his skills. While both Sue and Jean began responsibilities as cooks for area ranches at young ages, their love and knowledge of chuckwagon cooking has led them down exciting paths in life.

Pulling the XIT Ranch chuckwagon to New Mexico, Mr. Shepherd cooked for and became close friends with a number of Western artists, among them Justin Wells. It was at Justin’s suggestion that Sue and Jean embark on publishing their own cookbook. “I will illustrate it for you!” Doubtful at first, after further reflection they felt the suggestion held promise and would be fun! “It wasn’t even our idea!” said Sue.

Sue and Jean took their time in selecting a publisher. “We thought Cookbook Publishers sounded like a good publisher to use and had seen several cookbooks that they had published. We also talked to several people who had used Cookbook Publishers and they highly recommended we do the same.” In true Western fashion, Sue added, “We just considered Cookbook Publishers a great prospect! Our first cookbook was completed in 1994 and now we have 3 volumes!”

The XIT Ranch chuckwagon used by their father remains in the family’s possession and is often used by photographers, artists and writers to document history and Western heritage.

Meanwhile, Sue and Jean have taken the skills shared, learned and acquired to an art form. Since 1990, when they began to participate in chuckwagon cook-offs, they have been named:

2 time winners of the World's Championship Chuckwagon Cook-Off, Amarillo, Texas

2 times World's Richest Chuckwagon Cook-Off, Ruidoso, New Mexico

5 times National Championship Chuckwagon Cook-Off, Lubbock, Texas

1 time Southwestern International Chuckwagon Cook-Off, El Paso, Texas

6 times Western Heritage Classic Chuckwagon Cook-Off, Abilene, Texas

1 time Festival Of The West Chuckwagon Cook-Off, Scottsdale, Arizona

1 time Roy Rogers Memorial "King Of The Cowboys," Apple Valley, California

1 time Cheyenne Frontier Days Chuckwagon Cook-Off, Cheyenne, Wyoming

1 time Red Steagall's Chuckwagon Cook-Off, Ft. Worth, Texas

12 times invited to National Cowboy Hall Of Fame Chuckwagon Gathering, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

3 years interviewed on Food Channel, filmed in Ruidoso, New Mexico

"American Cowboy Culture Award," Lubbock, Texas

"Chuckwagon Of The Year Award," Ft. Worth, Texas

"Come And Get It Award," Gene Autry, Oklahoma

"Throwdown! with Bobby Flay" judges

Their C Bar C Chuckwagon Team has won all of the major Chuckwagon Çook-Offs at least one time. Sue and Jean have also been nominated for induction into the Cowgirl Hall Of Fame.

Justin Wells illustrated all three of their cookbooks. In February 2008 his Studio and Home burned to the ground losing everything. In June 2008 he had a heart attack and died. Therefore, they won't be having NO. 4 Cookbook.

Chuckwagon Recipes And Others, Volumes 1, 2 & 3 have been selected as a 2008 Academy of Western Artists, Will Rogers Medallion Award Winner. The Will Rogers Medallion Award is presented each year to those books that represent an outstanding achievement in the publishing of Western Literature. Their books exemplify the combination of excellent, high production values and honor the Cowboy Heritage in which the award was created to acknowlege.

The Medallion Award was created initially to encourage the continued upgrading of the quality of publishing books of Cowboy Poetry. This year, other catagories have been added to honor a wide range of Western Literature, including Western and Chuckwagon Cookbooks. The initial winners in a category set a standard for others to meet, and their books set a big standard indeed. Sue and Jean accepted their award during the 2008 Academy of Western Artists Awards Program in Garland, Texas.

Here are some secrets to Sue and Jan’s success:

• Our cookbooks help to sell themselves! More than just good recipes, these books also have western art and stories reminiscent of time’s past!

• Chuckwagon cook-offs, competitions or catering events offer the perfect time to have the books available for purchase.

• Advertising in publications that do the most good, like Western Horsemen magazine, has had tremendous results. Knowing your audience and the appeal of your product help to identify the best ways to market the book.

Contact Info:

Chuckwagon Recipes and Others,
$13.50 plus $2.00 shipping and handling

More Chuckwagon Recipes and Others,
$15.00 plus $2.00 shipping and handling

Chuckwagon Recipes and Others No. 3,
$17.00 plus $2.00 shipping and handling

Featured Recipe: