Cookie Stagman updates classic cookbook — adding famous designers’ dishes

Chicagoan Cookie Stagman, long a well-known presence on Our Town’s social, retail and fashion scenes, originally penned her “Beautiful Buffets” cookbook 25 years ago. Now she’s teamed up with writer and foodie Arlene Michlin Bronstein to update the book — spicing things up with recipes from some of America’s most famous fashion designers.

Along with 40 new recipes of her own, Stagman reached out to, among others, Carolina Herrera, Isaac Mizrahi, Bob Mackie, Judith Leiber, Donna Karan, Carolyne Roehm, Arnold Scaasi, Chicago’s own Mark Heister and the late Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta to get some of their kitchen favorites.

I love what the late, great Bill Blass said about his legendary meat loaf recipe: “I may not go down in history for my clothes — but this meat loaf will be my claim to immortality!”

While Blass’ classic designs obviously ensured his place in couture history — having tried his meat loaf recipe myself — I must say it is something pretty special!

“Cookie Stagman’s Beautiful Buffets II” is now available — with a portion of the sales proceeds going to the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation.