Food Is Love

Food is Love is a beautiful compilation of heirloom recipes and homemade creations collected by Sean and Donna Slack over the past decade, with a vision of providing their children with a "leaving the nest" recipe manual full of family favourites. Sean and Donna believe teaching your own kids how to cook is a necessary life skill when moving out of the home. Cooking meals on a budget that is affordable is also just as important when starting out in life and all meals in this cookbook can be made for a family of 6, for under $25.


Food is Love; is a private collection of more than thirty simple, affordable, and delicious meals, including Asian and Western family favourites, full of modern fusion recipes for anyone to enjoy. From a few can't-live-with-out sauces and fresh salads that are addictive and full of flavour, to incredibly tasty Asian meals like BBQ Pork, Cantonese Steamed Fish, and Chilli Chicken Wings. Recipes include super easy Teriyaki Chicken, Soy chicken, Sweet 'n' Sour Pork, Thai-style Deep Fried Fish, and Vietnamese Style Fried Pork, all as delicious as they sound. Western influences include - easy-as fluffy scrambled eggs, reconstructed prawn cocktail salad, classic roast chicken, and the very best "three" ingredient "Bacon-pesto-Pasta", along with a few mouth-watering treats like banana bread, crumble, and chocolate slice. There is something here for everyone, including how to make the simplest steamed rice and tastiest bok choy that's so easy, any novice can get it right, along with food tips and suggestions. All recipes have been hand-selected, trialled, tested, and devoured. All meals are easy to prepare and cook, full of flavour, and are fit for any young adult to attempt.


The first edition of Food is Love, was loosely collated during New Zealand's first lock-down, March 2020, and was printed for their eldest child's 21st birthday and ever since that original copy sat on the kitchen bench, dozens of requests have been an ongoing trend in their household. This demand has been the inspiration behind Sean and Donna crafting a final master copy and having it published with the help of a good friend.


Food is Love is a parent's gift for their children when heading out into the big wide world and this recipe book is dedicated to their four kids. Food is Love is The Slacks Family Bible, full of homegrown food and fond memories. As parents, Sean and Donna hope these family favourites will live on in their kid's hearts and stomachs forever. They hope Food is Love will always remind their children of home and the love that went into cooking, eating, and sharing around the table as a family every day.


All photography has been taken by the Slacks - usually just before the food was consumed. All photos are the real deal, not something fake or "made for TV". The style of writing is also by Sean and Donna and has a relaxed and personable approach. All recipes can easily be emulated and are open to interpretation to make them your own once your taste buds are accustomed. The consistent and magic ingredient you cannot see, but you can feel and taste, is what makes this recipe book a very special one.