In 1999 former Governor George W. Bush and the Texas Legislature established the Historic Courthouse Preservation Program to provide grants to counties in need of courthouse renovations. This was prompted by the addition of Texas's courthouses to the 1998 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Texas Judicial Cookbook is a culinary tribute to these monuments of justice and leadership, fashioned by the hands of pioneering Texans. This compilation of recipes from residing judges and other state and county officials is enhanced by beautiful photographs of these historical treasures.