Maman

July 5, 2021
Marshall and Sormonte are the team behind the Maman mini-chain of eateries, and this frothy cookbook is as much an advertisement for their business as a collection of recipes—a feeling reinforced by blurbs from fans about their “quaint” cafés. They lean hard into the theme of motherhood, with introductions written by each of their “mamans,” and the importance of mothers cooking with children harped on by a diet book author and others. Paeans to the authors’ childhoods in Canada (Marshall) and France (Sormonte) occasionally verge on the saccharine, and many recipes come from or are named for maternal figures: their marketing director’s grandmother Marion contributes zucchini bread, while a tuna salad sandwich salutes the former head chef’s mother. Typical café fare, such as quiche Lorraine and fruit salad, alternates with surprises, including a savory yogurt loaf with olives and sun-dried tomatoes, and a garnish of corn nuts atop pasta salad. Desserts are the strongest offerings—most notably, the café’s signature chocolate chip cookies with three types of nuts, and the pumpkin-maple madeleines, which combine North American and French traditions. (For pooches, there are dog biscuits with carob chips.) While loyal customers are sure to tune in, those unfamiliar with the brand may find this to be a collection in search of a binding culinary thread.

August 1, 2021

If visiting a French caf� is impossible, readers might simulate the experience at home with this cookbook by the couple behind Maman, a small chain of caf�s in New York and Canada. Marshall and Sormonte are not professional chefs, but both grew up in close-knit, food-loving families (in Toronto, Canada, and Montpellier, France, respectively); they offer family-friendly food in their welcoming, French-inspired caf�s (named after the French word for "mother"). Here they share 100 cherished recipes. The cookbook has a warm tone that plays up the idea of family; Marshall and Sormonte encourage readers to turn the book into a family heirloom by jotting their own notes on the recipes (throughout, there are unobtrusive blank lines to write on). The recipes for brunch fare, sandwiches, and sweets, with an extensive beverage section, are doable for beginners but interesting enough for experienced home chefs who want to experiment with French flavors or put a spin on French standards with ingredients like maple syrup or tomatillos. The book includes brief guidance on equipment, practical tips for reheating and freezing, and eye-catching photos of scrumptious food. VERDICT Not just for Maman's walk-in or online customers, this cookbook is recommended for those who want to offer informal, stylish, satisfying food to family and friends; it may well delight Francophiles.--Bonnie Poquette, Milwaukee

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.