Clara Margaret Czegeny

Clara Margaret Czégény won a $25.00 Thomas B. Costain, Literary Award in Grade 11. She never thought too much about it let alone dream that one day she would author a Best Selling heritage cookbook that would circle the globe. Her first attempt at writing came out of her natural desire to share her beloved Hungarian heritage through her beloved and treasured family recipes. Clara was fortunate enough to grow up in a traditionally Hungarian home with all the classic meals being prepared on a daily basis as though her parents NEVER left Hungary. The book is a culinary treasure of truly Hungarian classic recipes that have been well-guarded and passed down through many generations of the Szabo-Czégény families. Clara passionately invites her readers, cooks and chefs to take a culinary journey with her through Hungarian cuisine that is boldly brushed with fiery red Hungarian Paprika. She whets their appetite for this subtle and complex cuisine - a melding of Germanic, French, Slavic, Tartar and Turkish influences. She wants everyone to "Fall in Love with Hungarian Food - One Recipe at a Time." Her dear mother, Helen, a trained chef from Hungary is the "HELEN" of the cookbook's title. She shared over 440 classic Hungarian recipes for the heritage collection. They are all complete with meticulous instructions, humorous anecdotes, lavish illustrations, memories, traditions, lore and lots and lots of love. Readers will learn about, create and taste the culinary traditions and flavours of Hungary from the classic Chicken Paprikás (Paprikás Csirke), Cabbage Rolls (Töltött Káposzta) and Paprikás Potatoes with Sausage (Kolbász) to Poppy Seed and Walnut Beigli all the way to the world famous Apple and Cherry Strudels (Rétes Tészta) and the regal Walnut and Dobos Torta. Clara holds a B. Ed (Prim/Jun/Sr) from Brock University, St. Catharines, ON as well as an O.T.C from Ontario Teacher's College. She received a B.A. in Sociology as well as a Combined Honours B.A. in Gerontology and Sociology from McMaster University, Hamilton, ON. Clara holds a multitude of very highly regarded and respected industry certifications ranging from Engineer to Webmaster; Master Trainer (MCT), MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA, MCP, A+, Net+, and Security+). Chef Helen Czégény (now 86); lives in Brantford, ON still puts in a full vegetable garden including a grape arbor and enjoys its bounty to prepare fresh and sumptuous Hungarian meals. Her daughter Evangeline Hannah Helena Mackell, the talented photographer and graphic artist for the bestselling cookbook, played a huge role as cover designer, artistic advisor and editor. Evangeline is a gifted artist hailing from Toronto. Clara Czégény has been named the "Hot Hungarian Chef" by her adoring fans and Hungarians as far as Australia, have found her searching for her by this name. She is not only an author, but an educator, accomplished pianist, decorator and computer software engineer. Clara mastered all of her mother's cherished recipes one by one and is a self-proclaimed chef in her own rights. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Clara now resides in lovely town of Paris, Ontario, Canada. In her spare time, she loves to host lavish dinner parties, experiment with international and gourmet cooking, entertain musically on the piano and walk her Eskimo dog named Bailey. Her professional and extensive status as pianist is well-known by friends, family and those seeking for her performance at weddings, church gatherings, singing groups and quite family celebrations! Over the years, countless piano students have been in awe of their own newly acquired musical accomplishments as a result of Clara's unique and caring approach to teach and encourage.