The Gathering Table: Growing Strong Relationships through Food, Faith, and Hospitality

by Annie Boyd (Contributor), Denise Herrick (Contributor), Molly Herrick (Contributor)

We are all hungry for meaningful connection, but most of us don't have the time to cook complicated meals or plan big gatherings. What we need are simple, delicious recipes and easy, doable ideas for getting together with friends and family. Thankfully, that's just what the five women of The Gingham Apron deliver in this full-color lifestyle book that is as practical as it is pretty.

Filled with beautiful photography and inspirational writing, The Gathering Table follows this Iowa farm family through a year of gatherings that strengthen relationships, establish and deepen family traditions, and showcase God's gift of great food. With complete menus, easy-to-follow recipes, devotional readings, prayers, and plenty of inspiring and customizable ideas for everything from intimate family gatherings to larger community events, this book will become your go-to resource for entertaining and enjoying life--together!

Genres: Cookbooks, Christian, Religion, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[LaSheba Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! This cookbook was the creation of five women family members (Annie, Shelby, Molly, Jenny, and Denise), who have a generational legacy of farming in Iowa. It has delicious recipes, helpful tips, and Christian faith-based principles for life and home. The realistic narratives of the women reveals their own journey with issues such as, an unexpected diabetes diagnosis and dealing with winter blues.

The book is divided into four sections related to each season: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. It also has recipes for fun dining ideas like a Ladies’ Brunch, Anniversary Picnic, and Friday Night Pizza Party. There are mouth-watering recipes for: Strawberry Lemonade, Pimento-Crab Sandwiches, Southern Fried Chicken, and Italian Wedding Cake.

🌷Shelby writes: “ Reflecting on the conversation and the fun of having a pie “potluck” at the end of a long, ordinary day reminded me of how essential it is to not let things slip into “just getting by” but to stop and celebrate before moving on to the next thing. Sometimes life can get so rigorous that I think we forget to enjoy it, and we forget to join with others” (kindle p. 75). 

A very good read with great foodie photos! 💕

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recipes sound good.

[Morgan Tyree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hospitality handbook encouraging you to whole-heartedly welcome others to join you at your table. The Gingham Apron ladies demonstrate how to share the depth of our lives through gathering together. Their seasonal themed recipes, intentional applications, and meaningful traditions will inspire you to spend more time connecting and celebrating!

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading some heavy books this was a welcome change. A beautiful story of friendship, love and acceptance.

[Glenys Nellist · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gathering Table is a wonderful combination of food, family and fellowship. Containing glorious photographs, personal stories and simple, doable, delicious recipes, this truly is a book to be treasured.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I expected this to be an ordinary cookbook with a bunch of fluffy filler and great photographs. Instead, I really appreciated and connected with the writing which was absolutely the best part to me. The entire book’s writing rotated through the various authors (all female family members from Iowa) giving each woman a turn to write their thoughts on various topics. I enjoyed reading the various thoughts and especially appreciated the specific advice they included—ranging from ways to make your Sundays more restful to how to fully engage in interpersonal relationships. So many great tips on being truly hospitable, on living in the moment, and on focusing on others. The book was divided into four large sections based on the seasons and then each section had a few specific events/parties that fit the season with a ton of recipes in each. The recipes tend towards quick, non-simple ingredients which I tend to avoid (meaning they utilize processed pre-packaged food inside the recipes such as canned soup, salad dressing mixes, cake mixes, cereal etc) but I have tried a few. My family was not really a fan of the Southern Fried Chicken (“tasted funny”—perhaps the buttermilk or my inexperience with frying food) or of De’s Baked Beans (super sweet). The pizza crust and Chicken Alfredo pizza was ok. But there were many others that perfectly delighted our tastebuds; we all LOVED the Italian Beef Sandwiches (I never would have thought to dump a whole jar of pepperoncini over a beef roast but it was delicious and not actually spicy), the vegetable pizza, the margherita pizza (interestingly you cook the tomato in garlic sautéed in olive oil prior to adding to the pizza), dried beef dip, scones. This cookbook also includes a lot of non-alcoholic drink recipes which look fun to try (Italian sodas, etc). I do plan to try out some other recipes such as the refrigerator rolls, and hearty beef stew. The book is a beautiful book with great writing (would be perfect for a multiple-week Bible study or women’s group). We are using it for a church book club and when we met to discuss the many helpful passages (while eating what each lady prepared from the book) we spent over three hours discussing it…so many tips and great suggestions to improve our walk with God and our life. One other little thing: I have only had this book for probably a month and a large section of the back has unglued and popped out of it which is disappointing. Definitely does not have a stitched binding.

[Amy Houts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gathering Table is a treasure! Not only does it have mouth-watering recipes and gorgeous photos, this cookbook is so much more! With a glimpse into the lives of the woman of this faith-filled, Iowa farm family, each member of the Gingham Apron Gals shares her very personal view of the four seasons, a year of gatherings. This cookbook, which includes prayers, Bible verses, and practical tips, challenges the reader to unplug from technology, take a deeper walk with God, and truly appreciate the bounty He offers. While I was given a copy of this cookbook to help promote it, I also purchased a copy for a Christmas gift for my niece. It's too good not to share! These hospitable women have opened their homes and their lives to us in this book and joyously given a gift to anyone who reads it. --Amy Houts, author of Cooking Around the Country with Kids: USA Regional Recipes and Fun Activities

[Natalie Nenovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gathering Table is a must-read for anyone who loves to gather around the table with friends and family, share a meal, and have a great conversation. This book's timing makes me understand how much I value times of gathering around the table! These five women of Iowa share stories, their faith, and recipes throughout the book. Each chapter is based around a holiday and discusses God's power and presence. Incorporated throughout each chapter are scripture and prayer, along with practical application questions. Each chapter also shares some favorite family recipes, which I can't wait to try! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sharing a meal. Buy a book for yourself and to gift to your favorite hostess!

[Havebooks Willread · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book written by a mother and her four daughters/daughters-in-law. It is a beautiful and refreshing picture of an Iowa farm family who loves Jesus, enjoys spending time together, and is intentional about creating opportunities to get together and make memories. The book has little devotionals the women have written as it describes 12 get-togethers, one for each month in each season of the year, and includes recipes and ideas for re-creating their events. I found it inspiring as I'm straddling that season between adult children and still having children in my home. I checked it out from the library, but am sorely tempted to order a copy for myself.

[Kathleen Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

So delightful. It was slow going at first, but there was enough tension to garner my interest to keep reading, and I'm so glad I did. The elements of small-town, women's relationships, romance, and cooking pulled me in. The author was a master at creating her characters, and I thoroughly enjoyed the growth of each one. I appreciated the "older romance" included as well. I was especially surprised how my dislike for some characters in the beginning changed. Reminds me of God's grace. A really wonderful read.

[Rachael Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful! I love the combination of recipes, devotions, and prayers. They’ve simplified gathering and added more meaning simultaneously. Their book has inspired me to open my heart and home to invest in others the way Jesus so beautifully modeled for us. I can’t wait to gather and build stronger relationships in the process.

[Tiffany Rhyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great cookbook full of fun, food, faith, and family! I love the recipes in this book, many of which are similar to ones we love to eat. I just have to add that Grandma Betty must have been one special lady. Many of the recipes appear to have been handed down by her. Can't wait to try her Peach Cobble, hope it's like my grandma used to make.

*This was a Goodreads First Reads giveaway book.*

[Jade]

A great book about making food for many people in a short amount of time while also showing great hospitality. This book includes many prayers and how to grow strong relationships between family and religion. So many delicious recipes are included in the book that is so tasty and easy to make.

[Mandi Brauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

During these trying times in the world today, this book is exactly what we need in the world. It is uplifting, positive, makes us go back and focus on what is most important in life. I love how they have every season in the book, gives recipes and ideas on gathering together.

[Kandace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful cookbook for any collection. Gorgeous photography! But it goes beyond to connect to faith and family practices. Pages are high quality, and the size is perfect for a cookbook.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read, great for during the holiday season. Heartwarming.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian look at gatherings with family and friends. Filled with scriptures, prayers, recipes, and family memories.

[Dominique Egbers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful gathering ideas and menus. But also the heart behind these Gatherings and the intentions shared were impactful.