‘What’s For Dinner?’ co-host writes a cookbook for cougars like herself

Cougar Life, the website aimed at men who want to meet older single women, has a long way to go before it can catch up to the steady stream of free media attention generated by scandal-seeking extramarital affair service Ashley Madison.

While both are owned by the same Toronto-based company, Avid Life Media, the promotion of adultery might have a tough time attracting celebrity endorsements.

"Cooking for Your Cub," however, is a publication designed to draw attention to the appeal of Cougar Life. The authenticity of the venture is provided by longtime "What's For Dinner?" co-host, and mother of two, Mary Jo Eustace.

Eustace hasn't shied from exploiting the fact her Canadian actor husband, Dean McDermott, dumped her five years ago for Tori Spelling. In fact, she even attempted to shop a book proposal titled, "My Husband Dumped Me For Tori Spelling."

The sordid story, which began with a hookup between McDermott and Spelling on the Ottawa set of an instantly forgotten TV movie, "Mind Over Murder," was ultimately recapped in shorter form in a 21-author anthology, "The Other Woman."

A book with two dozen recipes, each named for a celebrity who endured a high-profile divorce, has aimed for wider appeal.

Whether or not home cooking can make a woman over 40 seem more appealing to a younger man is a different argument altogether.

Psychology researcher Michael Dunn, of the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff, published a study last year that concluded the 'cougar theory' was a myth. Research found that women tend to dig men their own age, if not significantly older guys.

"I do believe that the cougar phenomenon is a myth," Dunn said, "and, yes, a media construct."

But at least it's a Canadian one. Valerie Gibson, a former lifestyle columnist for the Toronto Star, has been credited with coining the term and will apparently defend its validity to the death.

"Cooking For Your Cub" is therefore bound to get its share of attention when Eustace launches it in Toronto next week.

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott, who are expecting their third child in five years, are meanwhile determined to stick up for holy matrimony. The couple's latest reality show is about their recent experience as wedding planners.

(Reuters Photo)