Book excerpt: The charming world of Miss Maggie's Kitchen brings a mixture of refined classic French style with a modern twist, for perfect, effortless entertaining. Héloïse Brion's early life was rhythmed by mealtimes--from her childhood in Florida, where her mother proudly upheld the tradition of the French family dinner, to summers spent in the Pyrenees, where her grandmother cooked over a wood-fire oven. Her passion for food--always respectful of the seasons and the origins of her products--followed her back to France, where she pursued a career in fashion. What initially began as a whimsical pastime turned into Miss Maggie's Kitchen, her brand that blends cooking, travel, and lifestyle in a perfect alchemy. Her innate talent for style and entertaining stems from her informal American approach to life mixed with her inherent French flair. Here, Brion shares more than eighty laid-back recipes for every occasion, including her beautiful table settings that are festive and welcoming. Her simple, authentic, and tasty cuisine includes winter squash soup with porcini crostini, cherry tomato pizza, veal stew, clementine and pistachio cake, and a rosemary-rhubarb cooler. Brion's husband, photographer Christophe Roué, captures the charm of Miss Maggie's Kitchen, where retro and modern culminate in the ultimate comfortable elegance.