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Longtime Erin cook merges his love of food and rock n' roll in new cookbook

Sex, Drugs and Pots & Pans is the name of Wayne Sumbler's new cookbook
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Wayne Sumbler, pictured here in his book's cover photo, lived in Erin for over 20 years where he worked at various restaurants.

ERIN – A former longtime resident and cook in Erin will soon release a book that combines two passions into one. 

Wayne Sumbler, currently living in Orangeville, said he will soon get to hold a physical copy of his cookbook called Sex, Drugs, and Pots & Pans

The book features Sumbler’s original recipes but with names for dishes and chapters that are classic rock puns such as 'we won’t get grilled again,' 'another one bites the crust' and 'closer to the tart.' 

Sumbler said he’s been a lifelong listener and player of rock music and his passion showed in an interview where he happily lists off guitars he’s owned and gigs he’s played over the years including a battle of bands he insisted he should have won. 

He is now retired but for a period of time worked at various restaurants around Erin where he used to live for multiple decades including David’s Restaurant and the Calerin Golf Course but said he ended up at The Busholme three or four different times, calling it 'Hotel California' because he would never leave.

But a cookbook wasn’t on his radar until about three years ago when he was making breakfast for his musician friends after a show in Hamilton. 

An early riser, Sumbler said he woke-up, had an energy drink and began “cooking like crazy.”

“I’m wide awake and I gotta do something right?” Sumbler said.

His friends questioned why he would do this so early in the morning but he replied, “that’s what rock stars do, right?”

One friend said that would be a great idea for a cookbook and that’s where it all began. 

COVID-delayed the release, but Sumbler said it will for sure be coming by the end of the year. 

Sumbler is now focused on marketing and is currently looking for a rock star to sign off on the book. His UK-based publisher has put him in touch with Abbey Road Studios which gives him hope this can actually happen.

“I’m really hoping to be on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and yes, I have sent them one,” Sumbler said. 

Overall he’s very confident in the cookbook and even has his sights on Canada’s best-selling book list. 

“I think it’s going to do really, really well. I really do,” Sumbler said.


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Keegan Kozolanka

About the Author: Keegan Kozolanka

Keegan Kozolanka is a general assignment reporter for EloraFergusToday, covering Wellington County. Keegan has been working with Village Media for more than two years and helped launch EloraFergusToday in 2021.
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