Vintage Camper Enthusiasts Launch Cookbook Celebrating Community and Cuisine

Paul and Caroline Lacitinola have a passion for vintage camper trailers, viewing them as more than restored relics of Americana. They see them as mobile memory vessels. For the past 15 years, the couple from California have published Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine, dedicating themselves to this unique community for over 20 years.

Their latest project, a cookbook, features over 120 recipes including family dishes, camper favorites, and restaurant classics. The book celebrates the shared meals that have fostered connections around campsites across the United States.

“We’ve talked about doing it for a long time because we’re food enthusiasts,” explained Paul Lacitinola. “A cookbook was a natural fit, combining our love for vintage trailers, classic cars, and food.”

Yet, the Lacitinolas believe the Vintage Camper Trailer Cookbook preserves more than just culinary traditions. Paul and Caroline recently spoke about their project while stationed outside their vintage camper.

“These trailers are filled with relationships, connecting people emotionally to the experience,” Caroline Lacitinola noted. “People often recall their childhood and family moments when stepping inside these trailers.”

Caroline observed that younger generations appreciate vintage camping for different reasons. “The American dream now emphasizes life experiences over the traditional daily grind,” she stated.

The cookbook reflects this sentiment, blending recipes from family, fellow campers, their children, and dishes from Paul’s former restaurants. Among these recipes is Paul’s cherished “Grandma Mandy” sandwich—white bread filled with cheese and jelly, toasted over a campfire.

“It sounds unusual,” Paul admitted. “But it’s surprisingly delicious.”

Caroline was skeptical at first. “I didn’t believe it when I married him,” she laughed. “But they are truly tasty.”

At vintage trailer rallies, one tradition stands out: their pancake breakfast. Whether serving traditional pancakes or creative variations like ones with peanut butter and bacon, the breakfast garners popularity among the community.

For Caroline, vintage camping epitomizes community and connection. “Engaging in activities that bring people together is the core of vintage camping to me,” she emphasized. “People are the heart of our hobby.”

The Lacitinolas invite anyone interested in this lifestyle to attend their trailer rallies, tour restored campers, and experience the community. “Purchase a camper, even a modest one, to experience the community,” Paul advised. “It doesn’t need to be permanent, but join the community and engage with others.”

Peter Burke, a lifestyle editor with Fox News Digital, shares various lifestyle topics focusing on food and drink.