Berwyn’s changing demographic over the past century may only serve to enhance a centennial cookbook now being compiled of residents’ most cherished recipes, organizers say.

Since being formally established as a city in 1908, Berwyn’s predominant population has vacillated from Czech to Italian and, most recently, Hispanic. Volunteers organizing the compilation of Berwyn’s centennial cookbook say this mix will fill its pages with a wide range of recipes representing the city’s equally diverse population.

“Our community is very diverse ethnically, so I think we’re going to get a wonderful array of recipes,” said Jacky Wawrzyniak-Kveton, a co-chair of the committee organizing the cookbook. “We’re going to have a wonderful cookbook that’s going to be a nice melting pot of residents’ cultures and ethnic cuisine.”

The cookbook is being assembled in honor of the city’s centennial June 6.

Wawrzyniak-Kveton plans to submit recipes reflective of her Polish ancestry, handed down from her grandmother, including those for dumplings, pierogi and golabki.

Organizers will be accepting other recipes through Feb. 1. Residents can submit up to three of their favorite recipes, in the categories of appetizers/beverages, desserts, breads/rolls, soups/salads, veggies/side dishes, cookies/candy and main dishes. The committee expects to receive up to 250 recipes from residents.

“It’s just a wonderful way to be a part of your community, part of a celebration and to share with your neighbors some of your own personal history,” said Mary Jane Miller, co-chair of the organizing committee. “Everyone loves food ... and I think the centennial is a time for the community to band together and be proud of everything we’ve accomplished individually and as a community.”

The cookbook is planned to be available in April, and Wawrzyniak-Kveton said she expects they will be sold for $10, with the proceeds going to offset the costs of publication. Any additional money will go toward a city fund to create a permanent community memorial in honor of the centennial anniversary, Wawrzyniak-Kveton said.

The committee is also planning a community cook-off in honor of the cookbook, for sometime in February.

Wawrzyniak-Kveton, a long-time cooking and history enthusiast, said the book will include about a dozen pages of information about Berwyn’s roots.

“This is something that is going to be around, not just for the cookbook but also with the history,” said Wawrzyniak-Kveton, also the vice president of the Berwyn Historical Society. “This is something people are going to hold onto as a keepsake, that will have a lot of the recipes that sometimes do get lost over time.”