Cook of the Month makes once a month cooking even easier (part I)

May 27, 9:08 AMDenver Health and Happiness ExaminerLibby Murphy

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Cook of the Month logo courtesy of Greg Probst

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When Greg and Edna Probst began Once a Month Cooking in 2002, the savvy software developers didn't predict it would lead to a website, a PDA application, or a mobile web companion site. But after going through the task of writing recipes and shopping lists for their family of seven by hand (and going through the rigors of recalculating quantities by hand when changes to the menu were made) they decided a software program was just what they needed. Cook of the Month was borne of this need, a website that benefits not only the Probst family, but anyone who signs up for a free account. 

Shopping in bulk can be a daunting task, especially when you're buying for an entire family for an entire month. Calculating totals for foods and ingredients to buy leaves a lot of room for error, and going back to the store for something you've forgotten after you've begun to cook is frustrating, to say the least. Cook of the Month's shopping list feature is the answer to this frustration. Users can choose from recipes on the site or enter their own (more on that later!) to plan their menus, and with the click of a button a complete list is populated right on the screen to print and take to the store. 

Greg Probst said one of the great features of the site, and something he and Edna are developing further in the coming months, is the mobile shopping list. The mobile website allows users to log in from their smartphone or BlackBerry to access their shopping list instantly, which is great for busy people who are constantly on the go. There is no more headache associated with trying to figure out what users need at the store, and no more guesswork remembering quantities to buy! He said right now the mobile browser doesn't have a lot of features other than the shopping list, but a stand-alone BlackBerry application will debut toward the end of summer (a beta version may be released earlier). More enhancements are on the way for mobile web browsing and text, as well.

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