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The Table of Life: Nourishing the Soul with Food, Love, and Faith
Life is a recipe, seasoned with moments of joy, heartache, resilience, and transformation.
In The Table of Life, Tommi A. Vincent invites readers to her table, where she shares a deeply personal journey of growing up and maturing into womanhood—where every lesson in food, love, and faith was a stepping stone to becoming the woman she is today.
From preparing her first meal as a determined toddler to navigating the complexities of love and surviving the darkness of abuse and depression, Tommi crafts a story that is raw, heartwarming, and deeply inspiring. These are stories of resilience, steeped in the love of family traditions, the strength of her faith, and the comfort of legacy-inspired meals.
With every chapter, readers will uncover Tommi’s superpower for transforming hard lessons into a master class in achievement. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and faith, offering insights for each of us on how to build a table of our own, one dish at a time, utilizing all the ingredients from our lives that nourish the soul—through cooking, finding real love that does not hurt intentionally, and prayer.
Filled with soul-stirring reflections, lessons, and legacy-inspired recipes, The Table of Life is more than a memoir; it’s an invitation to embrace life with all its flavors and to discover the tools that can transform trials into triumphs. Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration, comfort, and the courage to rise above challenges we face, this book is a reminder that the most seasoned lives use all of life’s ingredients to create one dish at a time. Take a seat at Tommi’s table and stay a while to create a rich life filled with food, love, and faith.
In The Table of Life, Tommi A. Vincent invites readers to her table, where she shares a deeply personal journey of growing up and maturing into womanhood—where every lesson in food, love, and faith was a stepping stone to becoming the woman she is today.
From preparing her first meal as a determined toddler to navigating the complexities of love and surviving the darkness of abuse and depression, Tommi crafts a story that is raw, heartwarming, and deeply inspiring. These are stories of resilience, steeped in the love of family traditions, the strength of her faith, and the comfort of legacy-inspired meals.
With every chapter, readers will uncover Tommi’s superpower for transforming hard lessons into a master class in achievement. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and faith, offering insights for each of us on how to build a table of our own, one dish at a time, utilizing all the ingredients from our lives that nourish the soul—through cooking, finding real love that does not hurt intentionally, and prayer.
Filled with soul-stirring reflections, lessons, and legacy-inspired recipes, The Table of Life is more than a memoir; it’s an invitation to embrace life with all its flavors and to discover the tools that can transform trials into triumphs. Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration, comfort, and the courage to rise above challenges we face, this book is a reminder that the most seasoned lives use all of life’s ingredients to create one dish at a time. Take a seat at Tommi’s table and stay a while to create a rich life filled with food, love, and faith.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
3 people are currently reading
636 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 28, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to access this book. But, this book to me is a perfect example of how metaphoric things can be in our lives that we look over. In this instance, it was the cooking. Tommi showed how something as creative as cooking can be seen as more than just mixing ingredients together and eating. It can be something that brings a family together. It can make us emotional, anger, happy, sad and even fatigued. Food has so much history behind it and this book showed me how a meal can change a lot.
September 7, 2025
As I began reading Tommi’s work of art, The Table of Life, I sensed immediately that this was going to be a rare moment—one where I would find myself in conversation not only with God, but with my own soul. I even set aside a journal to capture the learnings, reflections, and insights that would surely come. This was not a book to rush through. It felt like a carefully prepared meal by a world-class chef—meant to be savored slowly. Each chapter was nourishment, offering something new to chew on, enjoy, swallow, and let digest in its own time.
Though I have not worked in early childhood development, I have worked closely with many children, and I am an auntie, godmother, and friend to little ones. The phrase “use your words” has often echoed in those spaces. What struck me about Tommi’s journey is that, from the age of three, she did use her words—even before fully grasping the power behind them. Her distinctive soul carried a map, a kind of GPS, destined to guide those she would later serve in finding their way.
For me, that hit deeply. My grandmother, whom I called M’adear, my aunties, sisters, and the women who raised me did not always have the words I desperately needed to quiet the questions that hollered in my soul. But as I read Tommi’s storytelling, I felt nourished in those places where other meals in life had left me empty. But God!
You did it, Tommi. Nourished my soul with food, love, and faith. My Auntie did make The Punch in Philly. Oh, how I loved it. I can still see her punch bowl and smile, remembering the floating sherbet which I only had at her house.
In a world full of cutbacks and “thou shalt nots,” God has supernaturally used your life as a witness, bridging scarcity into abundance.
Tommi, thank you for sharing your superpower—your story. Your book holds the testimony so many of our sisters need, especially the 300,000 women in the workplace who are walking through seasons of rest, renewal, and recovery. Some people say, “No savior is coming.” I understand that sentiment (not quite accurate), but, like you, I also know the truth: what we need is a table. Your book is that call to action—to reassemble the table, especially for those who never had one or find themselves without one, without the place setting with their name, who don’t know how to arrive at a table for this level of depth.
I love you, Sis. Thank you for nourishing us at your Table with your words.
Though I have not worked in early childhood development, I have worked closely with many children, and I am an auntie, godmother, and friend to little ones. The phrase “use your words” has often echoed in those spaces. What struck me about Tommi’s journey is that, from the age of three, she did use her words—even before fully grasping the power behind them. Her distinctive soul carried a map, a kind of GPS, destined to guide those she would later serve in finding their way.
For me, that hit deeply. My grandmother, whom I called M’adear, my aunties, sisters, and the women who raised me did not always have the words I desperately needed to quiet the questions that hollered in my soul. But as I read Tommi’s storytelling, I felt nourished in those places where other meals in life had left me empty. But God!
You did it, Tommi. Nourished my soul with food, love, and faith. My Auntie did make The Punch in Philly. Oh, how I loved it. I can still see her punch bowl and smile, remembering the floating sherbet which I only had at her house.
In a world full of cutbacks and “thou shalt nots,” God has supernaturally used your life as a witness, bridging scarcity into abundance.
Tommi, thank you for sharing your superpower—your story. Your book holds the testimony so many of our sisters need, especially the 300,000 women in the workplace who are walking through seasons of rest, renewal, and recovery. Some people say, “No savior is coming.” I understand that sentiment (not quite accurate), but, like you, I also know the truth: what we need is a table. Your book is that call to action—to reassemble the table, especially for those who never had one or find themselves without one, without the place setting with their name, who don’t know how to arrive at a table for this level of depth.
I love you, Sis. Thank you for nourishing us at your Table with your words.
October 2, 2025
This book is nothing short of transformative. It is a rare and sacred gift overflowing with grace, encouragement, empowerment, and community. Within its pages, the author creates a space where readers can finally take off the cape and the mask and simply be—fully seen, fully heard, and valued without strings attached. What God has birthed in and through her will bless countless families for generations to come.
From the very first chapter, I found myself undone. My heart leaped, my eyes filled, and my soul rejoiced. Hope and inspiration began to sing a new tune within me. The similarities in our journeys, the connections in healing, and the author’s sheer transparency and vulnerability left me in awe. She lays out the recipes for healing—shifting self-talk, embracing the hard work, and finding strength, courage, peace, unconditional love, and hope through it all. Her story reminded me that even as God continues clearing out the clutter in my own life, His promises and planted visions will always prevail.
This is not just a book, it is an invitation. It speaks to the hearts of those searching for healing, clarity, and courage. It calls readers to choose themselves, to press through the hard work, and to rise from the ashes with belief in who they are and who God has called them to be. It reminds us that nothing is too messy for Him, that love—though imperfect—is worth receiving, and that true success requires resilience, grit, and faith.
The food recipes woven throughout stir comfort and familiarity, reminding us of the warmth of a grandmother’s table. Yet the life recipes go further—they remind us that while our lived experiences shape us, we hold the power to heal, overcome, and create a beautiful table of life where love, joy, and legacy are served freely.
Every page carries a sense of divine appointment. It is my prayer that each reader will meet God in these words, that they will digest each lesson, embrace every truth, shift their self-talk, and recognize His miracle-working power in their own journey.
Do not just read this book—study it. Let it challenge you, encourage you, and transform you. It has the power to ignite self-discovery, birth healing, and remind you that with the right mindset, belief in yourself, and the strength of your village, you too can rise from the ashes and thrive.
From the very first chapter, I found myself undone. My heart leaped, my eyes filled, and my soul rejoiced. Hope and inspiration began to sing a new tune within me. The similarities in our journeys, the connections in healing, and the author’s sheer transparency and vulnerability left me in awe. She lays out the recipes for healing—shifting self-talk, embracing the hard work, and finding strength, courage, peace, unconditional love, and hope through it all. Her story reminded me that even as God continues clearing out the clutter in my own life, His promises and planted visions will always prevail.
This is not just a book, it is an invitation. It speaks to the hearts of those searching for healing, clarity, and courage. It calls readers to choose themselves, to press through the hard work, and to rise from the ashes with belief in who they are and who God has called them to be. It reminds us that nothing is too messy for Him, that love—though imperfect—is worth receiving, and that true success requires resilience, grit, and faith.
The food recipes woven throughout stir comfort and familiarity, reminding us of the warmth of a grandmother’s table. Yet the life recipes go further—they remind us that while our lived experiences shape us, we hold the power to heal, overcome, and create a beautiful table of life where love, joy, and legacy are served freely.
Every page carries a sense of divine appointment. It is my prayer that each reader will meet God in these words, that they will digest each lesson, embrace every truth, shift their self-talk, and recognize His miracle-working power in their own journey.
Do not just read this book—study it. Let it challenge you, encourage you, and transform you. It has the power to ignite self-discovery, birth healing, and remind you that with the right mindset, belief in yourself, and the strength of your village, you too can rise from the ashes and thrive.
December 5, 2025
3.5 stars
The Table of Life feels like sitting down with someone who has lived a lot, learned a lot, and is finally ready to tell the truth about it. Tommi A. Vincent lets you into her story with genuine openness. She talks about growing up, figuring out love, surviving abuse and depression, and slowly building a life that has room for joy again. What ties everything together is food. Not just cooking, but the comfort and connection that come with it.
The author writes about the influence of her grandmothers and how the kitchen was always a place where love showed up. When life became overwhelming, she went back to cooking because it grounded her. You can feel that in the way she talks about certain dishes. They are more than recipes. They’re pieces of her history.
She doesn’t shy away from the hard parts either. She’s clear about the struggles she faced as a young mother and the confusion that comes from growing up thinking love and pain belong together. Her decision to get therapy becomes a turning point, and she talks about it in a way that makes it feel possible for anyone who might still be hesitant.
The book also shows how much relationships matter. She writes about the people who supported her and how finding love that doesn’t hurt changed everything. One theme she returns to often is the idea of celebrating life, even in small ways, because those moments add up.
Scattered throughout the book are a handful of recipes inspired by her family. There aren’t enough to make this an actual cookbook, but the ones she includes feel personal and easy to make. I tried the macaroni recipe myself, and it turned out pretty good, so she’s not steering anyone wrong there.
Overall, The Table of Life is warm, honest, and full of heart. It’s the kind of book that makes you think about your own life and the things that have shaped you. It’s a good fit for anyone looking for inspiration, comfort, or just a reminder that healing is possible and that the things we’ve lived through can be used to build something better.
Trigger warnings: teenage pregnancy, termination, domestic violence.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amplify Publishing for supplying me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Table of Life feels like sitting down with someone who has lived a lot, learned a lot, and is finally ready to tell the truth about it. Tommi A. Vincent lets you into her story with genuine openness. She talks about growing up, figuring out love, surviving abuse and depression, and slowly building a life that has room for joy again. What ties everything together is food. Not just cooking, but the comfort and connection that come with it.
The author writes about the influence of her grandmothers and how the kitchen was always a place where love showed up. When life became overwhelming, she went back to cooking because it grounded her. You can feel that in the way she talks about certain dishes. They are more than recipes. They’re pieces of her history.
She doesn’t shy away from the hard parts either. She’s clear about the struggles she faced as a young mother and the confusion that comes from growing up thinking love and pain belong together. Her decision to get therapy becomes a turning point, and she talks about it in a way that makes it feel possible for anyone who might still be hesitant.
The book also shows how much relationships matter. She writes about the people who supported her and how finding love that doesn’t hurt changed everything. One theme she returns to often is the idea of celebrating life, even in small ways, because those moments add up.
Scattered throughout the book are a handful of recipes inspired by her family. There aren’t enough to make this an actual cookbook, but the ones she includes feel personal and easy to make. I tried the macaroni recipe myself, and it turned out pretty good, so she’s not steering anyone wrong there.
Overall, The Table of Life is warm, honest, and full of heart. It’s the kind of book that makes you think about your own life and the things that have shaped you. It’s a good fit for anyone looking for inspiration, comfort, or just a reminder that healing is possible and that the things we’ve lived through can be used to build something better.
Trigger warnings: teenage pregnancy, termination, domestic violence.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amplify Publishing for supplying me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 6, 2025
“The Table of Life” is a moving, honest, and practical guide for anyone navigating the complexities of their past and present. This book helped me get comfortable with uncomfortable parts of my own story and reminded me that there’s strength in every lesson learned. Tommi’s candid storytelling made me feel less alone and encouraged me to offer myself more grace.
What resonated most was the renewed inspiration to get back in the kitchen—not just to cook, but to create experiences and memories for my family, even when life feels overwhelming. Her message is clear: it’s not about perfection or comparison, but about making the best of what you have and turning ordinary moments into something meaningful. Preparing your OWN table in the way that’s best for you. That each ingredient and dish in your life can be used to set a beautiful feast.
“The Table of Life” is a reminder to be grateful for the journey, to celebrate growth, and to use our experiences to inspire and uplift others. Highly recommended for anyone seeking encouragement, perspective, and a practical push toward grace and gratitude. This is a MUST to send to a friend, family member and to add to your book club.
What resonated most was the renewed inspiration to get back in the kitchen—not just to cook, but to create experiences and memories for my family, even when life feels overwhelming. Her message is clear: it’s not about perfection or comparison, but about making the best of what you have and turning ordinary moments into something meaningful. Preparing your OWN table in the way that’s best for you. That each ingredient and dish in your life can be used to set a beautiful feast.
“The Table of Life” is a reminder to be grateful for the journey, to celebrate growth, and to use our experiences to inspire and uplift others. Highly recommended for anyone seeking encouragement, perspective, and a practical push toward grace and gratitude. This is a MUST to send to a friend, family member and to add to your book club.
October 13, 2025
The Table of Life is the blessing I didn’t know I needed. I began the read thinking it would be more cookbook than life guide, but I was gleefully mistaken. Tommi Vincent opens herself to readers, but especially women, with painful moments and life lessons she’s experienced. What was most refreshing about the book is the self awareness she gleaned as she sought personal growth and development. With each life blow, she knew greater was in her and she kept striving to achieve her goals. Surrounded by strong women in her family, a loving husband, and people carefully placed by God on her journey, she tackled obstacles, accepted constructive criticism, and continued(s) to grow in Christ. The recipes are great, too! If you ever experienced teenage heartache, career uncertainty, cruel and spiteful judgement, or general questions about your life’s journey, grab a latte or cup of coffee and turn the pages of this book. I know I will reread this gem and will highly recommend it to teens and adults as well.
Thank you Netgalley and Amplify Publishing for the advanced reader copy of this amazing book.
Thank you Netgalley and Amplify Publishing for the advanced reader copy of this amazing book.
September 5, 2025
The Table of Life reads like a memoir AND a menu • stories seasoned with lessons, recipes written in spirit as much as in words. From the first chapters, I felt like I’d pulled up a chair at a table set with honesty and love.
Her words stirred memories in me I hadn’t named before, but also reminded me that growth can taste like vegetables before it tastes like dessert. Necessary, nourishing, and ultimately satisfying.
There’s a message about showing up - other than yourself - that lingers long after you close the book. It challenges you to consider where you’ve been masking, and what it might mean to take the mask off.
I think of The Table of Life as a “help yourself” book. Everything is laid out for you to dig in; or you can just graze… it’s up to you to help yourself. Either way, it feeds something deeper.
The Table Of Life is ultimately a meal you’ll carry with you. Like any great meal, it leaves you fuller and stronger. And also like any great meal…you should share the book with someone you care about. There’s something in it for everyone.
Her words stirred memories in me I hadn’t named before, but also reminded me that growth can taste like vegetables before it tastes like dessert. Necessary, nourishing, and ultimately satisfying.
There’s a message about showing up - other than yourself - that lingers long after you close the book. It challenges you to consider where you’ve been masking, and what it might mean to take the mask off.
I think of The Table of Life as a “help yourself” book. Everything is laid out for you to dig in; or you can just graze… it’s up to you to help yourself. Either way, it feeds something deeper.
The Table Of Life is ultimately a meal you’ll carry with you. Like any great meal, it leaves you fuller and stronger. And also like any great meal…you should share the book with someone you care about. There’s something in it for everyone.
October 2, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to access this book!
This was a really interesting and thoughtful read, both autobiography and recipe book, the author takes you through the story of her life and the lessons she learned along the way. In between passages sharing her perspective on how to live your life to the fullest there’s some of her staple recipes, not enough for this to really be called a recipe book, but the recipes that are there are simple and reliable meals that the average cook could easily add into their repertoire. For the record, I tried the macaroni recipe and it turned out pretty good!
Not normally the type of book I go for but I think it achieves what it sets out to do, gives the reader inspiring life advice and reliable meal recipes too. Overall I enjoyed it!
This was a really interesting and thoughtful read, both autobiography and recipe book, the author takes you through the story of her life and the lessons she learned along the way. In between passages sharing her perspective on how to live your life to the fullest there’s some of her staple recipes, not enough for this to really be called a recipe book, but the recipes that are there are simple and reliable meals that the average cook could easily add into their repertoire. For the record, I tried the macaroni recipe and it turned out pretty good!
Not normally the type of book I go for but I think it achieves what it sets out to do, gives the reader inspiring life advice and reliable meal recipes too. Overall I enjoyed it!
September 6, 2025
Excellent Book!
The Table of Life is truly an amazing book from the beginning to the end.Nourishing,Relatable and Insightful.Tommi Vincent is truly a gift from GOD that I know I needed.I strongly suggest to share to others that need their souls nourished
Shanel Lewis
The Table of Life is truly an amazing book from the beginning to the end.Nourishing,Relatable and Insightful.Tommi Vincent is truly a gift from GOD that I know I needed.I strongly suggest to share to others that need their souls nourished
Shanel Lewis
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews