NATIONAL
REVIEW: "Maggie
Marshal has all the right ingredients for a book on food and entertaining.
After running a successful catering business, she blends entertaining
savvy with her experience as a family caregiver to bring you this
useful 'how to' guide. A fun, friendly book filled with delightful
anecdotes, tasty dishes and practical tips (all 101 of them!)—focused
on ways to stay connected with others while living life through both
easy and challenging times. Eleven chapters include such titles as
'Celebrating Your Own Way,' 'Honoring Life Events during Suffering,
Illness and Loss,' 'Recipe and Menu Shortcuts,' 'Hotsy-Totsy Parties'
and 'It's Really Not About the Food.' Useful event planning forms
are also included."
Family
Caregiver Alliance National Center On Caregiving, Spring 2008
Volume 25, No. 2
Endorsements
"The
treasure in the book is centered in the way Maggie Marshall invites
you to read every page, even though you may feel too busy to do so.
It's exactly the way she invites you to her table. For the hungry,
edge-of-depletion, multi-tasking fools we have become, here is just
the right meal. Until I read this book, I thought the ability to make
people WANT to sit down and BE together had aged out of American life.
It is a great antidote to the loneliness, physical and social isolation
I see creeping into the life choices the young are making. Thanks
for coming along with this simply terrific message, Maggie-and in
the nick of time."
Kyle D. Pruett, M.D., Clinical Professor
of Child Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine and internationally
known author and child psychiatrist and expert on children, family
relationships, and fathers.
"Entertaining
shouldn't be so traumatic, but let's face it: having people over for
a meal is enough to give some people hives. What everyone, even those
who frequently invite guests, needs is the courage that Maggie Marshall
pumps into readers of 'Food is the Frosting - Company is the Cake.'
She calms fears with not only sage advice, based on a lifetime of
experience, but with humor-and who doesn't have a funny story to tell
about the dinner party from hell? Seasoning her encouraging words
are non-intimidating recipes that speak of frequent-and successful-use.
If they were good enough for Maggie and her friends, they will delight
you and yours. Pick up the book, then pick up the phone to invite
someone over for a little nosh and a lot of fear-free fun at your
table. You'll all thank Maggie afterwards."
Eleanor Ostman, long-time food writer for the
St. Paul Pioneer Press, food travel coordinator, and author of Always
on Sunday, based on her "Sunday Tested Recipes" column.
"Maggie's chapter, 'Honoring Special Occasions During Suffering,
Illness and Loss,' is something ALL people need to read!"
James MacLaren, 2005 ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage Award,
Honored into Ironman Hall of Fame, Worldwide Motivational Speaker
"Maggie Marshall is the consummate hostess! Her instructional
book, 'Food is the Frosting - Company is the Cake' encapsulates the
myriad of details that come with the art of entertaining, and does
so with great warmth, humor and confidence. Maggie's parties are always
celebrations of life, and her book teaches her readers how to make
their own parties shine: from learning not to sweat the details to
remembering that the joy of entertaining comes from the gathering
itself, Maggie eases the stress of preparation by giving clear, straightforward
instructions for party planning and yummy recipes, treating readers
to delightful anecdotes along the way. Whether planning for a Hotsy-Totsy
Party or just a quick, informal get-together, 'Food is the Frosting
- Company is the Cake' is a wonderfully inviting book for all chefs,
from the beginning cook to the expert caterer."
Anna Racanelli-Rauch, former Executive Chef,
Redbook Magazine,
Anna's Temptations Cafe and Catering
"From Booger Muffins to Menopause Cookies, from Hoo Hoos to Yum
Yums, Maggie Marshall shines. Her easygoing spirit is captivating
as she gives tips to help meet the most challenging moments of entertaining.
Maggie's chapter, 'Honoring Special Occasions During Suffering, Illness
and Loss' is particularly poignant. In life we all face difficult
times, yet we still need to celebrate to stay connected, and Maggie
shows you how. Reading her book is like having your best friend right
beside you. Kudos to Maggie on a job well done!"
Lorie Van Tilburg, Executive Director, Southern
Caregiver Resource Center, San Diego, CA
"Maggie
Marshall has written a very interesting and entertaining book that
isn't a how to entertain or a cookbook; it is in fact a wonderful
blend of both. The advice is practical and fun and the recipes are
easy to follow and well set up. I have been cooking, catering, and
entertaining professionally all of my life. I found many of Maggie's
ideas both new and helpful. From a simple two-couple dinner; to the
must-impress spread for the boss; to the holiday bash for thirty people,
this work will calm you down and make you laugh and get you organized.
This is one that will be kept in the kitchen and used all of the time."
Kirsten Larsen, author of only one slice, Danish
Sandwiches, Smorrebrod, The Dame of Sandwich
