Cooking at the library?

Our own Melinda Burnham, from Quail Ridge Press, was the featured speaker at the Pearl Library on Friday, August 28th for their "Brown Bag Lunch" series, sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Over 30 people stopped by over the lunch hour to watch as Melinda prepared several dishes -- and gave out delicious samples.

All the recipes for her cooking demonstration came from the books 500 Fast & Fabulous 5-Ingredient Recipes and Fast & Fabulous Party Foods and Appetizers. She showed the audience how easy it is to cook great food without spending a lot of time or money.

Thanks, Melinda, for a great presentation!

At Patty Roper's book signing in Madison

We went out to Patty Roper's book signing in Madison on Saturday. The new Everyday Gourmet store is so nice and has everything you'd ever need in your kitchen. It also connects to the adjacent Viking Cooking School, which is also very impressive.




All of the food I sampled was just wonderful. Patty had baked several of the recipes from her new book, including some delicate pink Parisan Macaroons (pg. 69) and Spicy Cheese Hearts (pg. 137).

Patty was set up in the front of Everyday Gourmet, just to the right as you entered the store. It was a beautiful day and sunlight just flooded the store's oversized windows.

Patty also displayed samples of some of the tablescapes she designed for parties. The one closest to you in this photo is from a Tie The Knot Party, a get-together for groomsmen where she decorates each place setting with mens ties. How adorable!

Barney and our granddaughter sample some of the delicious cookies.

Here I am with Patty Roper (center) and Marlana Walters (left) one of the owners of The Everyday Gourmet store where the signing was held.

Book Signing Aug 22 at Everyday Gourmet in Madison, MS

If you're close to the Jackson metro area, I hope you'll make plans to come by The Everyday Gourmet's grand opening of their new Madison, MS store on Saturday, August 22nd.

One of our authors, Patty Roper, will be there signing copies of Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. You'll get to sample some of the party food from her book as well as see her ingenious ideas for elegant-but-affordable table decorations.

I'm going to stop by while she's there. I hope you will, too!

AUGUST 22, 2009

10 am ~ 4 pm

The Everyday Gourmet (New Location)

1107 Highland Colony Parkway

Madison, MS

Come meet Patty Roper, editor of Mississippi Magazine and author of 4 popular books on entertaining, including Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations.

Happy Birthday Mary Beth! And thanks for a great show.

Barbara Moseley, Patty Roper and I are in Pennsylvania today for QVC's special two-hour program My Time With Mary Beth: A 50th Birthday Celebration. We showcased our new book Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations and had the best time seeing -- and tasting -- all the wonderful foods that go along with the book's party themes.

This was our national debut for this lovely new book.

Calla Lilly Sandwiches made with bread rounds and cream cheese filling.

Here's a cute and easy little puppy dog cake that's made with two cupcakes.

Easy miniature wedding cakes for each party guest.

So many great ideas for party food. So little time!

Like to watch the video?
Click below to go to QVC.

Select the tab marked "Video".
Then click on "On Air Presentation".

'Easy Parties' to make its debut on QVC

(Click here to read more)

Be sure to watch QVC on Wednesday, August 12 at 9:00 am Eastern/ 8:00 am Central.

I'll be on the program "My Time With Mary Beth" to offer Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations, a brand-new cookbook written by Patty Roper and published by our company, Quail Ridge Press.

This lovely full-color how-to book on entertaining takes you step by step through hosting a whirlwind season of social events from a poolside brunch or holiday dinner party, to a bridal shower or at-home wedding reception.

Inside are 30 complete party plans with more than 250 recipes, stunning full-color photographs, and easy-to-follow directions for creating striking table decorations, giftwrapping, and party invitations—all made with simple, everyday materials.

Patty Roper is the editor of Mississippi Magazine and authors the popular "Easy Does It' column. She'll be with me at QVC and may get to say hello on the air.

Hope you can tune in and watch!

~ Gwen

Did you see this month's Quail Ridge Press newsletter?

Every month, Barbara and I write a newsletter to send out to all our friends. We usually put in a new recipe or two, along with some special prices on one of our books. For August we've got a special $10 cookbook offer for book 500 Fast & Fabulous 5-Ingredient Recipes.

If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, you can get your name on the list by clicking here.

~ Gwen