Sir Chris Hoy, Val McDermid, Alexander McCall Smith, Barbara Dickson, Dame Prue Leith, Mary Contini and Sue Lawrence are just some of the names featured in a new fundraising cook book published this week (7 September) in aid of Scottish charity St Columba’s Hospice Care.

The stars have joined with other names, chefs, local restaurants and bars to contribute one of their favourite recipes to Generous, a cook book developed by St Columba’s Hospice Care to raise money to help the Edinburgh-based charity provide care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, as well as their families and loved ones.  Generous is also published in recognition of the local community and hospitality industry who have supported the work of the hospice over many years.

Mouth-watering dishes that readers will be able to recreate at home include Sir Chris Hoy’s BBQ Pulled Pork Buns, a Normandy Tart by Dame Prue Leith, Carlo Contini’s Pasta E Fagioli courtesy of Carina and Victor Contini, Val McDermid’s Corned Beef Stovies as well as recipes for Moroccan Chicken and Lebanese Lamb from former Scotland rugby players, Sean Lineen and Mike Blair.

Alexander McCall Smith has contributed a recipe for Dauphinoise Potatoes, a favourite of one of the characters in his Isabel Dalhousie novels, Sue Lawrence has included a Clapshot Soup with Haggis Croutons that’s always a hit with her grandchildren, while Barbara Dickson has added her Chicken, Fennel and Potato Traybake, an easy, hearty dish that’s perfect for a chilly night’s supper.

Other recipes featured in Generous include Quiche Comtoise from Morningside deli Chez Roger, Scottish Mackerel with Girolles and Courgette Chutney from the Harvey Nichols’ Forth Floor Brasserie Bar, Treacle Tart from Leith bistro The Walnut as well as cocktail recipes including The Alchemist’s Next-Spresso Martini.  Delicious Fruit Scones from St Columba’s Hospice’s own Iona Café are also included, along with some Peanut Butter Pup Cakes, a nod to the charity’s Therapy Dogs, whose regular hospice visits help to reduce anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness among patients.

Jackie Stone, St Columba’s Hospice Care CEO said; “Generous is both a fundraising cookbook and a celebration of the many wonderful people who give their time and effort to the hospice to raise funds and awareness for our vital work.  We chose the title in recognition of the many wonderful ways in which all of them support us, from the pet owners whose dogs become much-loved visitors through our Therapy Dogs programme to the members of our Compassionate Neighbours scheme who bring friendship and light into the lives of patients living at home. Cooking gives us a chance to nurture those we care for, so as well as raising funds for St Columba’s Hospice Care, we hope that by cooking some of the delicious recipes from the book, readers will create some lovely memories with families and friends.”

Generous is a 128-page paperback featuring 35 recipes and retails at £15.  It is available to pre-order directly from St Columba’s Hospice Care and will also be available from bookshops including Waterstones and Amazon. Generous is published by Meze.

Participants who have kindly donated recipes for inclusion in Generous are:

Alexander McCall Smith, Barbara Dickson, Carina and Victor Contini, Charles MacLean, Sir Chris Hoy, Mary Contini OBE, Mike Blair, Dame Prue Leith, Sean Lineen, Sue Lawrence, Val McDermid, Anna Deacon, Dariusz Wedge, David Coates, Fiona Burrell, Gaby Soutar, George McIvor, Paul Dodds, The Alchemist, Bakery Andante, Bonnie and Wild’s Scottish Marketplace, Chez Roger, Cocorico, Harvey Nichols, Herringbone, Highland Fine Cheeses, Honeycomb & Co, Iona Café, Ka Pao, Lewis & Clarke, The Montpeliers Group, The Little Chartroom, The Rutland Hotel, South Loch, Tempo Perso, The Walnut and The Witchery.