Elbows Off the Table, Please

Elbows Off the Table, Please

Jo Seagar
Random House NZ

1 September 2016
Random House NZ
RRP $50.00

She’s shared her no-fuss food tips and tricks for years, but one thing that the ‘Queen of Easy Peasy’ is not so relaxed about is lack of good manners.

Jo Seagar simply believes that being courteous and generous to others enriches our daily life, and that amidst the hurly-burly, hustle and bustle of life today, it might be something we haven’t paid as much attention to as previous generations have.

Parents tirelessly ferry the kids to all sorts of after-school activities to help broaden their worlds, but Jo is firmly of the view that knowing how to conduct themselves in social situations is the skill-set that will truly open doors for our children later in life.

‘Our social rules grease the wheels to allow life to run smoothly,’ says Jo. 

It’s this theme that runs through Jo’s fabulous new cookbook.

Elbows Off the Table, Please includes more delicious, effortless ‘save the day’ recipes for impromptu dinners, foodie gifts, fail-safe loaves for times of crisis, fast and fabulous nibbles, office shout brownies and meals to impress the boss or potential parents-in-law.  Jo demonstrates how good food can open doors and provide much-needed comfort. Being a confident host sets people at ease, and that comes from knowing what to cook and how to act in any situation.

In this must-have collection of recipes, Jo shares her favourite dishes for simple gatherings, special celebrations and those times when a home-made offering saves the day.

It’s also punctuated with wise advice on how to navigate any social occasion and make it truly special.

Accompanied by useful tips to help you be a generous host and gracious guest, this is an indispensable kitchen-to-table companion.

Jo also covers off aspects of etiquette that can make us feel uncomfortable if we’re not sure what to do or say: sharing tips like which knife to use, how to apologise when you’re wrong, and how to address a dignitary.

 Jo’s hitting the road in September:

Jo’s hosting some fun events around the country to celebrate the launch of her new cookbook: Palmerston North (1/9), Auckland (5/9), Porirua (6/9), Waipawa (7/9), Taupo (8/9), Tauranga (9/9), Invercargill (11/9), Gore (12/9), Winton (13/9), Mosgiel (13/9) & Oamaru (14/9). Full event details available online: www.penguin.co.nz