Move over, Gordon Ramsay. Two Phoenix pigs are reporting for kitchen duty, and their culinary credentials are a little questionable.
Meet Sunny and Missy, the faces of the new Better Piggies Community Cookbook, a full-color collection of plant-based recipes created by volunteers at Better Piggies Rescue. The 30-page cookbook is now on sale for $20, just in time for holiday shopping, with all proceeds supporting the sanctuary’s rescued pigs.
And yes, Sunny and Missy posed in chef hats for the occasion. Getting them to keep those hats on? Apparently, that was a production all its own.
A Little Something For The Foodies & The Piggies
The cookbook features recipes submitted by the rescue’s volunteers, but there’s an extra ingredient that makes this collection especially sweet: Every recipe is dedicated to a pig living at the sanctuary.
That means home cooks can try something new while getting acquainted with some of the four-legged personalities their purchase is helping support.
And while the recipes are entirely plant-based, the cookbook isn’t just for vegans. It’s for anyone who enjoys good food, wants to try something different in the kitchen, or needs a holiday gift that doesn’t involve another scented candle.
For the volunteers who contributed their favorite dishes, the project is another way to celebrate animals they’ve come to know and love.
“We have so many wonderful volunteers who give their time and love to these pigs, and now they’re sharing something from their own kitchens, too,” says Danielle Betterman, founder of Better Piggies Rescue. “Every recipe represents a little piece of our community, and every cookbook sold helps us continue caring for the animals who depend on us. Plus, Sunny and Missy were pretty convinced the whole thing was about them.”
More Than A Cookbook
Founded in 2017, Better Piggies Rescue provides sanctuary, rehabilitation, and care for abandoned, neglected, and surrendered pigs. The Phoenix nonprofit has cared for hundreds of animals over the years, many of whom need specialized attention and ongoing medical support.
And keeping that many snouts happy, healthy, and well-fed is no small undertaking. According to the rescue, feed alone costs more than $2,500 a month, while medical expenses can run into thousands of dollars. Donations and creative fundraisers help cover food, shelter, veterinary care, and the everyday necessities that keep the sanctuary running.
The cookbook offers a simple way to pitch in. For $20, buyers get a collection of recipes made by people who know the pigs personally, and the sanctuary gets help covering the care those animals need.
It’s also the latest in a series of community-driven fundraisers, joining sanctuary tours, piggy yoga, animal sponsorships, and other creative ways the nonprofit connects people with its mission. The result is a holiday gift that feels a little more personal than the usual stocking stuffer. Every recipe comes with a connection to a rescued animal, and every purchase helps give those animals the care they deserve.
Insider Takeaways
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A Cookbook With Heart: The 30-page, full-color Better Piggies Community Cookbook features plant-based recipes contributed by sanctuary volunteers.
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Meet the Recipe Honorees: Every recipe is dedicated to one of the rescued pigs living at Better Piggies Rescue.
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A Holiday Gift That Gives Back: Cookbooks are listed at $20, with all proceeds benefiting the sanctuary’s animals. Shipping and any applicable taxes are not included in the listed price.
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Meet the Cover Chefs: Sunny and Missy are helping promote the cookbook, complete with chef hats and plenty of piggy personality.
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Where to Buy: The cookbook is listed in the rescue’s official online shop and is also available at upcoming events.
Ready to cook up a little good this holiday season? Visit the Better Piggies Rescue Shop to find the cookbook or learn more about the sanctuary.
