Book, 'Aunt Daisy Cookery'

This cook book by iconic personality Aunt Daisy was published in 1942 which was the most intense year of the Second World War for New Zealanders. The recipes reflect the times such as 'Soldiers' Cake' and 'Khaki Sponge'. The presence of United States forces in New Zealand in 1942 can be seen in recipes for 'Christmas Pudding (U.S.A.)' and 'Pennsylvania Pumpkin Pie'.

Aunt Daisy (Maud Basham) was regarded as 'the first lady of radio' and was recognised in the broadcasting industry as one of the country's most potent advertising forces. From 1937 she gained nationwide celebrity through her ZB radio programme broadcast from Wellington. Closely related to her broadcasts were the numerous books she published over the years. The first of at least ten Aunt Daisy cookery books appeared in 1934, and several books were published of handy hints and 'scrapbooks' of her favourite thoughts for the day.

This cook book was originally owned by Kathleen Morrison (1900-1967) of Wellington, and it was the only recipe book she constantly used to cook for her family. She inserted newspaper cuttings of one of her favourite writers, Mrs Elizabeth Messenger of Hataitai, who wrote a food column called 'Dine with Elizabeth'.

Kathleen's daughter Cathryn remembers that her mother was a 'good wholesome cook' and that Aunt Daisy 'was the bible in our house'. Cathryn was taught how to cook with this book and used it until the 1960s.