Quite vividly, I remember being seated for lunch in the school dining-room, newly teenaged, when a slightly older girl brusquely declared me to be a ‘J.P’. The acronym was unfamiliar, but my accuser’s two year advantage over me kept me from demanding an explanation. Soon after all became clear: I had been called a Jewish Princess. Both aware and appreciative of my privileged upbringing, as a young Jewish girl I was offended. Spoiled? Precocious? Pampered? ME? You’ve got the wrong girl. And I’ll prove it… If only, all those years ago, someone had sat me down in front of a copy of The Jewish Princess: Feasts and Festivals. Had this been the case, I might not have been so provoked by the badge pinned on my younger self. Indeed, I might not have made such a concerted effort to represent the very antithesis of the ‘flimsy’ and ‘self-obsessed’ Princess. With their new book, Georgie Tarn and Tracy Fine (self-admitted Jewish Princesses) have officially affirmed the reputation of the J. P.

How it irks me to think of all the energy (and dignity) I carelessly expended reacting against the charge. Imbued with a sense of purpose, I exhibited chipped varnish on my bitten nails and let my greasy hair tangle and knot. I regularly sported a boxy lime green football strip and made aggressive tackles on the pitch, howling when our team scored. For one year I volunteered in the high security Low Newton Prison and for three I worked nights behind a grimy bar. Hell, I even climbed a mountain. Eight days up, four days down. And, yes, of course I kept pace with our guide – a conqueror of Everest – while others lagged behind.

And for what? ‘The Jewish Princess: Feasts and Festivals’ is resolute in its judgment: there’s no shame in the name. The former aerobics instructor (Tarn) and the ex manager of an internet giftware company (Fine), first with The Jewish Princess Cookbook and now with Festivals and Feasts, playfully endorse the J.P. and her many extravagances. Gently teasing, Tarn and Fine urge the Princess to come clean about her ‘CCD’ (Compulsive Catering Disorder), while celebrating the J.P’s particular attention to detail – the hairdresser and the nail technician are never far away. Yet, Feasts and Festivals does more than simply recast the Jewish Princess as a viable role model. The book’s real value lies with its numerous easy-to-follow recipes. Lively, modern favorites are set alongside hallowed Jewish specialties including gefilte fish and challishing holishkas (stuffed meat parcels). As eager as the next J.P. to secure a shiddach (a successful introduction) Tarn and Fine have taken a forthright approach. With the authors’ tips and pointers even the inexperienced will find satisfaction. Indeed, the book highlights the main Jewish holidays and assigns appropriate recipes to each one, helping the reader to enjoy a sweet Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and to host an abundant Chanukkah. Importantly, Feasts and Festivals also caters imaginatively for special celebrations including the bris brunch, the bar mitzvah and the wedding, while the closing pages advise on the ultimate dinner party.

Its most impressive feat is how Feasts and Festivals deals with Jewish cooking. The authors’ casual and clear style will encourage even the culinary novice to attempt almost legendary dishes. Until very recently I really could not be trusted in the kitchen. My repertoire was shamefully brief and completely lacklustre yet I felt anxious as I pondered the inclusion of sweet potato and apple latkes. Jewish food is what binds together Jewish families and the Jewish community. We eat at every opportunity, force our food down guests and scowl at the man brave enough to refuse dessert. There is a lot of pressure to get it right and even more when the J.P.’s ‘Queen Mother’ is in attendance.

I kept a safe distance from the stove as a teenager and helped the local branch of Subway stay afloat while studying, but I have had some recent success in the kitchen thanks to Feasts and Festivals. In spite of some forced J.P. jokes and an incongruous section on yiddish expressionism, this is an informative and engaging guide. I’m in no rush to take over the kitchen but, with Tarn and Fine on board, maybe I too will navigate the Jewish calendar with ‘princess perfection.’

The Jewish Princess: Feasts and Festivals by Georgie Tarn and Tracy Fine is published by Quadrille and available online here.