Miss Mamie's Spoon Bread Too

Norma Jean Darden went from fashion model to food maven, bringing her family's country cooking to the big city. Now she has two thriving restaurants and a catering business that's made her the secret weapon of some of New York's savviest party-givers. A leading New York fashion model, Norma Jean Darden graced the pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Mademoiselle, Essence & Italian Vogue (among others) and the runways of Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy and Issey Miyaki. At a party, an editor for Vogue suggested she write a cookbook -- reasoning that since she was from the south (and black) she must have some great family recipes. A model starving to keep her figure, writing a cookbook? Norma thought she was joking. Until the editor called with a publisher for the book, followed by a reporter from the Times who wanted to write a feature. She planned to write about the buttermilk biscuits, fried chicken and sweet potato pie she remembered fondly from childhood family gatherings, but soon realized she hadn't a clue about how to make them. So she joined forces with her sister (and co-author) Carole and the two traveled south -- interviewing relatives and collecting the (now best-selling) bookful of recipes and memories, called "Spoonbread and Strawberry Wine; Recipes and Reminiscences of a Family,." In the process, they realized that cooking became the key to their family history. Offering delicious specialties that span generations of family recipes, Miss Maude's Spoonbread Too will keep you coming back for more. Notable selections include the Smothered Chicken (served with choice of two sides and bread,) North Carolina BBQ Ribs, Miss Maude's Sampler (a smorgasbord of shrimp, ribs, chicken and vegetables in "sample portions") and Miss Maude's Chicken Salad (served with choice of one side.) The family and friends at Miss Maude's looks forward to serving you soon.