The First Book Signing for Martha's American Food
Tuesday of this week was an especially busy day for me. I left my Bedford farm before 7AM and traveled to New York City to prepare and tape my live television show. That was followed by meetings and in the afternoon, we taped another show, which will air just before Mothers’ Day. Sadly, the afternoon show was the very last taping of Martha for Hallmark. I then drove downtown to EN Japanese Brasserie, one of my favorite eateries, located on Hudson Street in the West Village, where I was joined by the TV crew for our wrap party. I would have loved to stay longer to mingle and eat the fabulous food, but I was expected at the Williams-Sonoma at Columbus Circle at 6PM for the very first book signing of my 77th book, Martha’s American Food, where I signed a total of 280 books! I then made a quick change of clothing and went to the Time 100 Gala, which honors Time’s 100 most influential people in the world. It was quite a day! Today, I share with you some photos from the book signing.
1 This is the cover of my latest book, Martha's American Food - A celebration of our nation's most treasured dishes, from coast to coast, featuring 200 delicious recipes.
2 This past Tuesday, the day of its release, I attended a book signing at the fabulous Williams-Sonoma at Columbus Circle in Manhattan.
3 There are many fine shops and restaurants in the Time Warner Center. Here are people lined up to greet me.
4 Williams-Sonoma arranged for a lovely marble-topped table for me to sit at.
5 A stack of my books on display in the store
6 I was also greeted by a group of paparazzi, who took many photos of me.
7 Before the signing, I was interviewed by a reporter from Parade Magazine, who was interested in how I chose the recipes for the book.
8 A reporter from Food Republic wanted to know about some of my grilling techniques and tips for a better turkey burger. My response was that people tend to grill at too high a temperature and that turkey burgers are often under-seasoned and over-cooked.
9 I was happy to see that there was a very nice turnout.
10 Posing for all of those with cameras
11 I so enjoy meeting people at these signings.
12 Another photo
13 This gal is giving a signed book to her mother, a huge fan, for Mothers' Day and wanted a photo of the two of us to give to her, as well.
14 Many people came with multiple copies of my book to sign.
15 Kelly Galvin, from my PR team at Susan Magrino Agency, helped manage the line.
16 There were cooking demos going on using recipes from my book. People in line got to sample great mac and cheese and also the rich Indian pudding with vanilla ice cream.
17 We are thrilled to have consolidated, in this volume, a collection of recipes that we believe are excellent examples of real American food.
18 Since before the explorers discovered the bounty and wonders of this continent, Native Americans have been using indigenous, edible species and abundant wildlife for everyday consumption, such as corn, crab, lobster, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, and blueberries.
19 Early settlers readily adapted to these new foods and used them regularly, supplementing what were unknown, unusual, and sometimes peculiar ingredients with their own more familiar flavorings and seasonings.
20 This book is divided into regions, each with its particular defining features, as you will discover as you peruse the contents and experiment with the very delicious recipes.
21 The challenge in putting it together was to edit the vast numbers of recipes beloved by so many into a manageable compilation of what we consider the best examples of a genre: chowders, pies, chilis, burgers, cobblers, casseroles, salads, and such.
22 Each delicious recipe is accompanied by a wonderful 'backstory' where you can learn a great deal about who we are as a vast community held inextricably together by wonderful food.
23 I was pleasantly surprised to see Pauline Martin, a distant relative on my father's side of the family.
24 When I looked up, I saw that Pauline wasn't alone!
25 She came with members of her family, including her son, Timothy Martin (wearing glasses), a classically trained painter and sculptor. It was wonderful to see them as it's been quite a long time.
26 President and COO of MSLO, Lisa Gersh, also attended the signing.
27 This little boy came with his grandmother to see me at Williams-Sonoma.
28 He proudly told me he can speak three languages. He spoke only Russian until he was three and then learned English and Spanish!
29 Williams-Sonoma sells many of my other books, including Martha Stewart's New Pies & Tarts.
30 Posing with some of the wonderful staff at Williams-Sonoma
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Good morning Martha, Congrats. Another successful book, I ordered it from Amazon UK and can't wait to receive it. I wish you can come to London for book signing. Beautiful photos
Best Wishes
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | April 26th, 2012 at 1:50 am
Ten of us drove to Lake to see Krier's new home and she had wonderful food and spring weather made it such a great morning of fun, food, walking along waterfront, and of course, talking about what you are doing.Your Hallmark shows have been wonderful and will be missed but do hope your schedule will be lighter. Loved it that you have first American food in your book. Great to see boy who can speak saeveral languages at book signing.
Posted by: ann | April 26th, 2012 at 3:24 am
Congratulations, Martha!
Just when I thought I had enough cookbooks.....
Off to Barnes and Noble!
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | April 26th, 2012 at 5:35 am
Hi Martha,
I am very sad to know that your show will not be continued on the Hallmark Channel. I enjoyed the variety of topics that you brought to the show. I know you are doing a PBS weekly show so congrats on that but I hope to see you back on the air on a daily basis again.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Tracy | April 26th, 2012 at 7:18 am
Oh Martha, I wish you would come to South Texas for a book signing, I would be the first in line! While I'm sad about your show not being on Hallmark, I look forward to your new cooking show on PBS. Frankly, I'll watch you wherever you go! Congrats again on Marths's American Food!
Posted by: Cindy F | April 26th, 2012 at 8:04 am
Hi Martha,
I wondered how you managed to get to the Time 100 Gala on the day you were signing books at Williams-Sonoma. And then you had the wrap party too after two tapings of the show. Like I’ve said before, I want what you’re having!
~
You’re not the only one that is sad about the show coming to an end. I still contend that Hallmark would have had more viewers if they could have reached a monetary agreement with AT&T U-Verse to carry the Hallmark Channel. It wasn’t fair to you to lose so many viewers who had switched to U-Verse with many of them thinking the Hallmark Channel and some others were included in the U-Verse package. I almost switched too but then I thought, no, I think I’ll just stick with Comcast. I wasn’t keen on more equipment being added to our phone lines or however they set up their reception.
~
I hope every PBS affiliate will be airing your cooking school show in September. If ours don’t, I’ll be on their case like white on rice! I wish it was more than just a half hour a week though – that is serious withdrawal for a lot of us but we can always hope for more episodes as time goes on. Congrats on your successful book signing at Williams-Sonoma. I look forward to getting the book. Trish
Posted by: Trish | April 26th, 2012 at 8:53 am
Martha:
I have been a fan from your very first book. I DVR your show everday to learn and enjoy all of the things you can share with us. I have worked in the gift industry for over 20 years. I use so much of th knowledge I have learned in my everyday life. I hate that your show is going off the air, but I know there are plans for PBS. I hope that your blog continues everyday so I can keep in touch with the person who has inspried so much creativitiy in my life. Congratuations on all of your sucess.
Posted by: Dawn Campbell | April 26th, 2012 at 9:15 am
Martha,
I'm so sad Martha will not be on Hallmark. What will happen to the show? Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | April 26th, 2012 at 9:16 am
As a vegetarian I fear that the recipes in this most would be mostly useless to me, but I still plan to browse it and will probably buy it at the local bookstore! I sure hope you can come to Atlanta for a signing! Can't wait to be able to watch you again on PBS!!
Posted by: Jane | April 26th, 2012 at 9:33 am
Dearest Martha. So sorry to hear the show will no longer be on Hallmark. Bring back the half-hour shows you used to do. I LOVED those shows. Many times the stations would run them back to back so we actually had a full hour of your creativity.
Posted by: John Newman | April 26th, 2012 at 9:48 am
Hi Martha, WOW! You certainly did have a busy day this past Tuesday and I'll bet you enjoyed every minute of it and your only sad part was taping the last TV Show on the Hallmark Channel! You and Kevin were talking about working on your new PBS shows for this fall on Sirius Radio110 yesterday and adding a garden show, too-sounds great and can't wait to see it all! Thanks also for sharing great websites and tweets, also-love it all! How lucky those fans were to get your beautiful new book signed and all of these photos were wonderful! That little boy sure was cute! Also enjoyed seeing you on the Today Show again yesterday-yummm! Sure hope you have another great day! How is sweet, beautiful, little Francesca doing? Hope to God she is feeling better and that the corneal ulcer in her eye and the Lyme disease goes away ASAP! Off to see The Daily Wag and wonderful Dr. Pia is honoring our buddie Basil who is with God now-bless him! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 26th, 2012 at 9:54 am
My granddaughter, Samantha, told me some time ago that your show on Hallmark was being canceled. I disagreed with her but now I read she was correct. How sad. I have watched, rewatched, and taped your shows for such a long time. PLEASE DON'T LEAVE US WITHOUT A DAILY DOSE OF "MARTHA". I have learned so much from you and so has my granddaughter (age 13). You are her idol and mine.
Posted by: Jean Snyder | April 26th, 2012 at 11:25 am
I am sad too. I simply have loved the entire MSLO line up from 10 to 3 in Philadelphia on Hallmark. I have DVDed alot of it. When one door closes another opens. Good luck with the book signing. Your books are so helpful and easy to use over and over again. I look forward to buying and reading this one.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | April 26th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Martha, you look lovely in that orange shirt! I can't wait to try out your mac and cheese recipe!
Posted by: homer | April 26th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Please, please, please come to the Myrtle Beach area for a signing! We have a lovely Williams-Sonoma and I am sure they would love to have you. Will miss seeing you daily on Hallmark.
Posted by: Ginny | April 26th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
Hi, Martha,
You look beautiful!
My Williams-Sonoma, Washington Square, Tigard, Oregon, holds complimentary cooking technique classes every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. Our instructors, Brenda and Jill, are fabulous, funny, and so knowledgeable. And, they're generous with their samples. There are two rules: remember to register for class (even though it is free they have to plan) and save your fork! I really enjoy my fellow "foodies" and I learn something new every class even though I've been cooking for decades.
Additionally, there are regular evening classes on a variety of cooking styles for $50.00 to $75.00. It's "sit-down" and you try several dishes.
On Wednesday, May 9th, the WS Cookbook Club is featuring your new American Food cookbook. The cost is $75.00, cookbook included. Audra will be preparing Cheese-stuffed Jalapenos, Tomatillo Guacamole and chips, Stuffed Pork Shops, Green Tomato Gratin, and Boston Cream Pie.
Posted by: Bobbie | April 26th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
I see you are sporting the latest colour! Looks awesome on you! Can't wait to check out your new book!!!
Posted by: Frances | April 26th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
I'm sorry that you are winding up your wonderful program. I hope you will still be a part of a TV day. I work every day and usually could not view your shows at 10 a.m. Please have them on in the evening! Loving every minute!
Posted by: Barbara | April 26th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
This is the first I've heard about the end of your show and it makes me sad. The Martha Show was a part of my day either at 10:00 or the repeats at 1:00 and 2:00, there was always something to learn. Just recently there was a program on how the show was made and it was so interesting. My best to all of you, you'll be missed!
Posted by: Karen | April 26th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
hi Martha i m shumaila live in karachi Pakistan.u r briliant GOD give u a very inteligent brain u r a complete person
Posted by: shumaila | April 27th, 2012 at 4:49 am
I wish i was closer so i could get my copy signed!! Instead i will be waiting with my mailbox for amazone to deliver!!
love K
Posted by: Katrine - make it & fake it | April 27th, 2012 at 7:38 am
I, too, am saddened by the cancellation of your show on Hallmark. In fact, I have stayed with a cable company that carried Hallmark even though I could have got cheaper rates from AT&T Uverse. I heard through the cable technician that others in this area did the same thing. Now when my contract ends I will no llonger need to stay with them. Looking forward to your weekly show on PBS.
Please keep up the good work on your blog...enjoy it so much.
Vivian
Posted by: Vivian Price | April 27th, 2012 at 7:52 am
I am so sad to hear that you will not be having a daily show. I DVR every day and watch it the next morning at 5:00 am while I'm getting ready for work. I am so disappointed. I guess I'm going to have to save all the remaining shows so that I can have my own rebroadcasting. I am also sad because this is going to effect so many people working in your organization. They are very talented and I'm sure they are going to miss working on your daily show.
I will still be coming to the website daily to check for ideas, recipes and of course the blogs.
Posted by: Laura R | April 27th, 2012 at 9:41 am
Hi Martha! Please come to either Cambridge or Boston for a book signing. Best to you. -Ed
Posted by: Ed Stacey | April 27th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Martha,
So sorry to hear your Show will no longer be on Hallmark.What were they thinking?? My daughter & I had fun attending 2 of your Shows;we will miss having that opportunity again.I still will access the Website daily as I do now & continue my Living subscription.
Posted by: Frances mcCann | April 27th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Hi Martha so sorry we will not see you on the tv always watch your show i have downloaded the app from itune love it
reguards stephanie
Posted by: stephanie | April 27th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
I have always wanted to meet Martha Stewart in person and talk with her. I am an African American woman, single mother of one boy, who admires her greatly. I purchased her most recent book and also subscribe to the LIVING magazine. (I just dropped my payment to keep my editions coming, as a matter of fact!) Anyway, I have just been trusting God that one day our paths will cross. I would love to chat with her over lunch, anywhere in the country. (This comment is not meant to be posted. I just didn't know of any other way to get this message to Ms. Stewart. Please share it with her for me.) Thank you, Kentrell
Posted by: Kentrell Liddell MD | April 28th, 2012 at 11:31 am
It was a distinct pleasure and honor to meet you Martha at the "Martha's American Food" book signing at the Costco in Leesburg, VA this past Saturday. You look as beautiful in person as you have for the past 30 years I've been following you.
You have inspired me and my circle for many years and we truly appreciate it...the book is a publishing masterpiece!
Thank you!
Steve
Posted by: Steve Bunce | April 30th, 2012 at 11:53 am
SO SAD to hear your Hallmark days are over. I taped that show everyday and learned something every evening when I would watch it! I miss the OLD 1/2 hour shows you used to do years ago. They were VERY INFORMATIVE and fun. Maybe someone could dust those off and run them again! All the best. My sympathy to all your employees!
Posted by: Nancy Leonard | April 30th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Hi Martha! My good friend Stephanie and I are spending 2012 making every craft in your wonderful Encyclopedia of Crafts and writing about it! We just tackled the ETCHING chapter and have a question. Despite using a paintbrush to apply the etching cream to the surface of the mirror I was etching, it came out blotchy and uneven. I re-applied the etching cream to the areas that didn't look right and it didn't help. Any suggestions for etching larger areas? Thank you for all of the inspiration! Diana O'Brien
Posted by: Diana O'Brien | April 30th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Hi, Martha. I am so very sad to hear that Hallmark did not renew your show. Would you consider going back to your old format of the half-hour taped show you used to have? I absolutely adored that format. I cannot imagine not watching your 5 days a week anymore. I especially love all your ideas for all the holidays. You are wonderful!
Posted by: Terri C | May 1st, 2012 at 3:02 pm
I am so sad to hear that Hallmark didn't renew your show. I love your show and DVR it everyday. I always learn so much from your shows. Will miss seeing you and your staff everyday.
Posted by: Monica K | May 1st, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Just when my cable adds Hallmark, your show is cancelled. Hope you find another station for all your fans.
Posted by: Sheila | May 1st, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Great to see you saw Aunt Pauline. My grandmother was Helen and for years she told us she knew you, we never knew if it was true. Lol the apples do not fall far even thought distant she was quiet amazing at home makeovers. We miss her dearly
Posted by: Dawn | May 1st, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Congradulations on another great cookbook! There's gold to be discovered in that sack of cornmeal and other indigenous ingredients!
Posted by: Edwina | May 5th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Hi Martha, I missed the book signing in Princeton last week.
Will you be coming to NJ again?
I can't find a list of your upcoming events to look for further book signings in my area.
Posted by: Chelle | May 8th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Hi Martha, I was so sad to hear that you are no longer on TV. I am at home recovering from brest cancer so I had to quite my job so I could recover so I was looking foward to watching you, I have been following you from the start, I will miss you. You have been a big part of my life,so now I am watching my tapes that I recorded for years,I Love you and thank you for being a Big part of my life. Maria Zarate Bolloingbrook Illinois 60490
Posted by: Maria zarate | October 30th, 2012 at 12:21 pm