The family of a Peterhead woman have published the cookbook she was working on when she died to raise money for two charities close to their hearts.
Chef Karen Horne and husband Robert began putting together the book of her favourite recipes in 2016 after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The pair were close to finishing the book when Mrs Horne died in January 2017, aged 57.
Her devastated family were dealt a further flow after 65-year-old Mr Horne died in his sleep in October.
Now their son Shaun has published the book, called Kitchen Magic, in tribute to the couple and to thank the charities which supported them.
Proceeds will go to Roxburghe House in Aberdeen and the Fraserburgh Stroke Unit.
Mr Horne jun said writing the book had “kept his mum going” as her health deteriorated.
“Mum had been through chemo before and, when we found out it was terminal, Roxburghe House was great,” he said.
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“They helped my wife and I arrange a quick wedding so she could see me get married and then she saw Christmas.
“This was all while putting the cookbook together, which kept her going.
“It got her closer to seeing her first grandchild – we were away to tell her the news of her first grandchild when her terminal diagnosis was confirmed.
“She tried to stay to meet the baby but she didn’t manage it.
“The Fraserburgh Stroke Unit also helped my dad a few years back and we wanted to give back to both.
“We had to finish it for them.”
Family friend Terry Moran, who had known the two chefs since 1979, will be selling the books at the Peterhead Christmas Lights switch-on on Saturday.
Mrs Moran said: “I made a promise I would get it completed for her, which has been challenging but now we’re thinking we might need to print more.
“She was such an amazing chef and was the only female to be made Grampian Chef of the Year.
“She loved to help others and make sure they could cook the recipes, so it’s great we can share her them with everyone.”
Copies of Kitchen Magic will also be available from the Albert Hotel in Peterhead.
