For the sixth straight year, October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com, presented by Concordia University. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, delectable features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food, as well as the winners of our "Best of Dining 2012."

Mary Krimmer, who owned the Third Ward-based Soup's On (now Cynthia's), recently published a cookbook, "Soup's On: From Cafe to Cookbook."

Krimmer, who retired last year from the restaurant biz after running the popular cafe for nine years, says it took her about six months to pick the recipes and test them again. A good friend proofed the self-published book.

"This writing took place in between watching my grandchildren and some nanny work for a neighbor," says Krimmer, who is also catering events and spending time with her husband, also retired.

The book includes 23 vegan and carnivore recipes such as customer favorites like herb pea and curried lentil and industrial chili.

"Many customers had asked for a book and I never had time, so I told them I would write a cookbook when I retired. I also wanted some documentation of the cafe," says Krimmer.

The book costs $15 and is for sale at C. Adams Bakery in the Third Ward Public Market, Moda Hair Salon, Wild Flour Bakery in Bay View and East Troy, Eastside Ovens Bakery and Peoples' Bookstore. It can also be ordered directly from Krimmer.