Vintage Recipes From Old Seagrove Offer a Taste of Florida’s Past

ANN AND GEORGE HARTLEY — owners of Seagrove Village MarketCafe — have released a reprint of a cookbook containing vintage recipes from the MarketCafe and nearby establishments. The book was originally published in 1977 by Junie McGee, the wife of Seagrove’s developer who gathered recipes from locals and visitors and later published them as a cookbook.

The new version of the book is 202 pages long, and it contains over 400 unique Florida recipes. The book is $14 and is available for purchase online.

Here’s the book foreword, written by Ann Hartley:

Seagrove Village MarketCafé has been a part of the Seagrove community for many years, dating all the way back to 1949. It’s a tradition for many families who vacation along Florida’s scenic Highway 30A. Generations of guests return year after year to dine here, purchase souvenirs, and experience life on the beach as it once was.

My husband George and I bought the café in 1998. With it, we inherited a bunch of hidden treasures. Buried in the restaurant’s nooks and crannies, we discovered a cookbook first published in 1977 by Junie McGee, the wife of Seagrove’s developer.

Flipping through, I spotted some familiar dishes from my childhood in Panama City. As a little girl, I remember dining with my parents at the nicest spot in town, The Seven Seas Restaurant. Their famous Feud Cake is a dessert I’ll never forget.

The Cove Hotel is also near and dear to my heart. My grandfather built it, and eventually sold it to a lovely lady named Mrs. Harris. She also happened to be an extraordinary chef, so I was thrilled to find some of her recipes in this book.

In an effort to save the cherished memories of Seagrove, we are bringing Junie’s collection of recipes back to life. We hope you and your loved ones enjoy cooking with Junie for years to come.

To buy the book, visit Seagrove Village MarketCafé or order your copy online.