Jessica Mitton, author of Some Good Sweet Treats cookbook (Image: submitted)
Moncton author Jessica Mitton’s second cookbook, Some Good Sweet Treats, has won the gold medal at The Reader Views Literary Awards in the Crafts & Hobbies/Cooking/How-To category.
The Reader Views Literary Awards describes itself as helping level the playing field and creating more exposure for self-published authors, allowing readers to recognize the most creative and exciting new independent books in the industry.
Some Good Sweet Treats, was initially published last year and available in stores and online from publisher Breakwater Books.
“After Reader Views announced the winners, I was just honored to see my name there in the Gold Award Cooking category,” said Mitton. “I’m very grateful to be supported by Reader Views and my publisher and everyone that has supported me along the way on my cookbook adventures.”
Some Good Sweet Treats cookbook (Image: submitted)
Mitton studied at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in 2013, graduating in 2015 while also completing the Culinary Nutrition Expert Program at the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. She says the knowledge she gained from the two programs helped her pursue the path she wanted with her nutrition career.
“My first intention when I took the nutritional program at Canadian School of Natural Nutrition was more out of personal interest – I had some health issues at the time and I really wanted to find out a way how I could help myself and looking at food was part of that,” said Mitton. “During my studies I became motivated and inspired to help others with their food and lifestyle habits, and that’s kind of where that stemmed from, helping others with consulting and the online programs.”
She currently works at Sequoia Trinity in Moncton while also writing her cookbooks and publishing her nutrition blog, which she says allows her more personal flexibility.
Her first cookbook Some Good, centered around Newfoundland cuisine, was published in 2018 and came about as the final part of her studies at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.
“It took me about two years from start to finish. I was working on it part-time, so I did that as I was offering consulting sessions and working on my blog and other online programs,” she said.
Mitton said she didn’t have any idea of what to expect when she published her first book, especially because she was transforming and reinterpreting traditional Newfoundland dishes.
“I was a little concerned about how people would respond and if they would take to it – but I did get a quite a bit of positive feedback on that and it was great to see that people were forward-thinking about how they want to eat and how they wanted to prepare their food in a much more healthier way,” she explained.
She was then motivated to write a cookbook focusing on sweets and baked goods made with gluten-free, dairy-free, whole-food based ingredients, which became Some Good Sweet Treats.
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- Banana tarts – (Image: submitted)
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- Healthy Hermits cookies (Image: submitted)
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- Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting (Image: submitted)
Mitton says she finds baking very therapeutic and thought that by sharing something she loves and is so passionate about with others, it could help others on their journey. “It was just an honor to see that my work could be seen in people’s eyes that way, it just makes you feel so grateful that you have the support and that the people behind you wanting and looking for healthier options in their life.”
Mitton says she may start writing another book in the fall, but is taking a break for now to recharge and find some inspiration.
“I like going through the season and getting inspired by different foods that grow, so I want to look at it with new eyes and new ideas.”
