2 The Gathering of Friends @ Thanksgiving Point

A friend gave me this cookbook a few years ago.

It's not just a cookbook, it is a collection of "tablescapes," several menus for 10-12 people complete with tried and true recipes, each with full page color photographs and  a shopping list for each menu.

Michelle Huxtable's love language is food ~ all you have to do is choose the setting:  "Supper With Friends," "Springtime Breakfast, "or a "Romantic Repast," among others, and the rest is done for you.

It is from this first book that I made these two angel food cakes, which got raves at a family dinner:

I was invited with several other bloggers to Thanksgiving Point Emporium Kitchen to celebrate Michelle's latest book:

The Gathering of Friends: Celebrating Mother Nature, volume 4 in her cookbook series.  The magnificent gardens of Thanksgiving Point are the setting for such menus as "Summer Salads," "A Lazy Luncheon," or "Sweet Endings," to name only a few. 

It was so fun to meet Michelle in person, who also introduced her oldest daughter Abby Jane, a contributor to this cookbook.

Here are a few of the mouth-watering foods we sampled:

Fried Tomato Sandwiches

photo from thegatheringoffriends.com

Creamy Tomato Soup with Rice

Oriental Chicken Salad with Sweet Sesame Dressing

Buttery Parmesan Rolls

Michelle also introduced to us some easy and delicious treats to make for friends and neighbors.

Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut Butter Butterscotch Chews

Almond Cake

Coconut Bites

Buttermilk Syrup

This book (or any in her collection) would make the perfect gift for anyone who loves food and entertaining.  You can purchase any of the volumes from The Gathering of Friends or at the Thanksgiving Point Emporium.  My friend purchased vol. 3 for the Oriental Chicken Salad, saying the recipe alone was worth the purchase!

I was provided with a copy of Michelle's latest book and a cooking class.  No other compensation was given ~