In commemoration of its fiftieth anniversary, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Council has created a beautiful cookbook, ""Masterpieces: A Celebration of Food and Art in Virginia"", which offers a magnificent selection of recipes and artwork from around Virginia. ""Masterpieces"", the second cookbook published by the VMFA Council, collects eighty-three recipes gathered from arts organizations and their supporters around Virginia. Contributors include many notable Virginians, such as the former first ladies of Virginia Lynda Robb and Virginia Holton, Alma Powell, and chefs from VMFA, the Governor's Mansion, the Jefferson Hotel, Barboursville Vineyards, and the Trellis, to name a few. Recipes range from the simple (""Boursin Cheese Spread"") to the more ambitious (""Maestro Lobster Ravioli with Bisque Sauce""), and akin to the art, the recipes vary from traditional (""Monticello Muffins"") to more contemporary fare (""Pistachio-Crusted Rockfish""). Whether simple or more elaborate to prepare, traditional or contemporary, the recipes here represent the rich diversity of Virginia's cuisines - and their results are delicious. Bon appetit!

Introduction by: Felicia Rogan