A common Swiss German expression of agreement and acceptance is “Tip Top”. So what better name for the standard issue school cookbook than the pun: Tiptopf (Topf is German for pot).

The French version is called Croqu'Menu, and in Italian it’s Cosa Bolle in Pentola? (which directly translates as What Bubbles in the Pot? but basically means What's Cooking?).

A teacher in Laax, deep in the Romansch-speaking part of Switzerland, has even made a version in the fourth national language called Mintgin Cuschin.

This book has been used in Swiss home economic classes since 1986. It provides information about processes and ingredients, and has many invaluable base recipes that can then be altered and adapted as needed. It is the most purchased cookbook in the country and almost every household has a copy (we somehow have three).

I have my cousin Christoph's old Tip Topf and I smile every time I see his Megadeath doodle on the inside cover.

It is still for sale today either new, or it can be found used online or in most Brockis (second-hand shops).