One of the area’s most beloved restaurant owners has announced she has created a new cookbook which includes some of her most requested recipes. The former owner and operator of Sundance Restaurant, Karen Carpenter, said her new cookbook will be available at the beginning of December.

The book, “The Best of Sundance” came about after years of customers asking Carpenter for recipes. Carpenter operated Sundance for 34 years and sold the restaurant in 2018.

“I had many requests from my customers that wanted my recipes,” Carpenter said. “Even before I sold the restaurant people were asking me to put out a cookbook, and I just didn’t have the time. I just procrastinated and procrastinated, and finally I got to work on it, but we ran into a lot of roadblocks getting it published.”

“Finally, with the help of Karen Caplinger, we got it put together and to a publisher, and now it’s due to be here the first of December. We’re excited,” she explained.

Carpenter said the cookbook will include many of her most requested recipes. “One of my most requested recipes is my Sundance House Dressing. It’s one I developed probably 45 years ago when I was working on a ship. It’s a honey onion dressing that people seem to love. They practically drink it.”

The $20 cookbook will also include Carpenter’s barbeque sauce recipe, chocolate pie recipe, and many more. “My mother was a good cook, and I learned the basics from her” Carpenter said. “I just added my own touches and went on. I love to cook for people who love to eat.”

For those wishing to purchase the cookbook, Carpenter will be set up at different locations. She will be at F.Z. Webb’s Pharmacy on December 3, at 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and at Justin Potter Library on December 7, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Carpenter will also be at the Last Stop Christmas Shop at the DeKalb County Complex on December 9, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

People can also contact her at Sundance.cookbook@gmail.com to request a copy of the book.