Stay Tuned…
Aside from the events below, we have more in the works…we just can’t contractually announce them yet. Also, if you are interested in hosting a live or virtual event, please do reach out. Private Cook ‘n Book classes make wonderful holiday gifts. I have space available in NJ and in Pittsburgh so you don’t even need to mess up your own kitchen! Feel free to e-mail me mariacpalmer@yahoo.com for more details.
The perfect gift for any occasion has arrived!
Book Talk Bethel Library (Bethel Park, PA) 4/9/26 6:30 pm. Register here.
COOK ‘N BOOK POSTPONED DUE TO THE DRAFT. MORE DETAILS SOON ON THE RESCHEDULE. ALL REGISTRATIONS WILL TRANSFER TO THE NEW DATE. Cook ‘n Book High Street Studios (Pittsburgh, PA) with Oakmont Olive Oil Company. 4/11/26 11 am-2 pm. Join us for an afternoon of olive oil infusion into traditional Italian cooking. We learn the art of homemade pasta two ways- a traditional carbonara, and a smoky white wine butter sauce, lunch with some extra bells and whistles including the traditional Primadonna Mancini’s garlic toast, and a Primadonna Italian salad dressing spin off, and a fun Q and A with all the On the Rocks players. Register here.
Cook ‘n Book Lite Demo Kinnelon Library (Kinnelon, NJ) 4/16/26 6:30-8:30 pm. In honor of local author being featured on the cover of Kinnelon Living Magazine, the library and I have partnered together to offer an exclusive Cook ‘n Book class, which normally goes from 75-100 per person (depending upon the location), for FREE. We will start the evening learning how to cook up some ricotta gnocchi and marinara sauce. We will end with a sample of the food and a fun book discussion about the best selling book On the Rocks, which is now in production to become a movie! Don’t miss it. Registration here or on the photo. 20 people max!
Robinson Library Author Day (Robinson, PA) 4/18/26 12 pm-2 pm. Join Joe and Donna C for a book signing author event at Robinson Library. No need to register. Just show up and hang! Would love to see you.
Mother’s Day Gifts Have Arrived!!
Cook ‘n Book Spaziani Catering (Butler, NJ) 5/7/26 6:30-9:30 pm. Excited to partner with my newest neighbor to do a hands-on pasta and marinara sauce class. Grab your mom, or a lady you admire and run to this event! Click here to register or on the flyer.
Cook ‘n Book Bagels and Beyond Cafe (Montiville, NJ) 5/9/26 3-6 pm. A brand new vendor just in time for Mother’s Day- hands on ricotta gnocchi and homemade marinara sauce. Don’t miss this inaugural event. Register here or click on the flyer.
Cook ‘n Book Lite Demo Kitchen ala Mode (S Orange, NJ) 5/11/26 6:30-8:30 pm. Since our February class sold out so quickly, we have a new class scheduled at this location. We will be cooking up some homemade ravioli and sauce. Registration info here.
ONLY 1 SPACE REMAINS. Cook ‘n Book Olive R Twist (Ridgewood NJ) 5/13/26 7-9:30 pm. Ravioli two ways. Register here or click on the photo.
Cook ‘n Book Mrs. G’s (Lawrence, NJ) 6/2/26 6-8 pm. Hey Princeton area- come join us for a hands on ricotta gnocchi and homemade marinara sauce, a couple of extra bells and whistles, and a hearty dinner discussion and book signing. Don’t miss this. Register here or click on the image.
Private Book Club Talk 6/15/26.
Cook ‘n Book event for Nourish NJ 6/18/26 Join me in an evening benefiting the Nourish.NJ community. We will learn how to make gnocchi and sauce and make a little extra for their guests the next day too. This event will be a fundraiser with half the funds going back to the organization. Speaking of the wonderful work they do, join me on 5/3/26 for their Hunger Walk/Run.
Private Cook ‘n Book for Upper St. Clair Cotterie Club 9/10/26
Cook ‘n Book Flour Power (Allison Park, PA) 9/11/26 6-9 pm. We will be back at Flour Power doing a new class hands on potato gnocchi and homemade marinara sauce, a couple of extra bells and whistles, and a hearty dinner discussion with the Costanzo clan. Don’t miss this. Registration here or on the photo.
Cook ‘n Book (TM) Wine ‘n Dine Divino Winery (Leetsdale, PA) 9/12/26 11 am-2 pm. Our inaugural Cook ‘n Book (TM) Wine ‘n Dine was so successful, wine not do it again? This time join us for ricotta gnocchi and homemade sauce with some other bells and whistles. We will take a half time break with Nate for a curated wine tasting with some charcuterie appetizers too. Don’t miss it. Register here or by clicking on the photo.
Virtual Cooking Class Library Chef 10/7/26 7:30-8:30 pm
Private Cook ‘n Book WIFM Pittsburgh 11/10/26
PHOTOS AND INFO FROM PAST EVENTS:
Heinz History Center- VIP/Media Pre-Book Launch Party, Sunday, August 6th 2023 from 1-4 pm.
Check out the reading https://streamyard.com/vcwu5w6iwakx
and the panel https://streamyard.com/tenggmr9778y
Also our professional photographs are here. To view and download, please visit https://gallery.lovasphotos.com/primadonna/
The pin for the event is 8333.
First Public Book Signing at Mancini’s Bakery in the Rocks, Launch Day Tuesday, August 8th, 2023 from 5-7 pm.
First NJ/NYC Book Signing at Bookends Bookstore, Ridgewood, NJ on August 13th, 2023 from 1-3 pm.
A Night at the Paterson Museum Fundraiser to Benefit the SPCDC’s Breaking the Cycle Program, September 15th, 2023 6-9 pm.
Barnes and Noble Signing Settler’s Ridge, Robinson, PA, Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 2-6 pm.
All Saints Episcopal Church Signing, Bay Head, NJ, Saturday, September 30th, 2023 4-6 pm.
Our First Ever Book Club Talk October 8th, 2023 Pittsburgh, PA.
Book Signing at the Vreeland Store West Milford, NJ, October 26th, 2023 6-8 pm.
Book Signing Barnes and Noble, Cranberry, PA, October 28th, 2023 12-2 pm.
Book reading and signing at the Ringwood Public Library, Ringwood, NJ, November 9th 2023 from 6:30 pm-8 pm.
Cook ‘n BookTM Event St. Alban’s Preschool Fundraiser November 16th 2023 6:30 pm.
McKees Rocks Historical Society November 23rd 2023 from 6 pm-8 pm.
Barnes and Noble Greensburg, PA November 25th 2023 1-3 pm.
Virtual Book Club, Parkinson’s Foundation of Western PA, 12/14/23 from 4:30-6 pm.
Cook ‘n BookTM Event, Diane’s Tea Room, Kissimmee, FL 1/11/24 from 6-8 pm.
Donna C Tells Her Story- McKees Rocks Historical Society at Mickey’s Bar 1/17/24 from 6-7 pm. Catch the entire story by clicking here.
Cook ‘n Book
Cook ‘n BookTM Pittsburgh 1/20/24 11 am- 2pm High Street Studios
Click here for coverage from the event from YaJagoff on Jeet Jet?
School Assembly in NJ 1/24/24
NYC Public Library, Hunters Point, 1/27/24 from 3-4 pm.
School Assembly in NJ on 2/23/24.
Book Talk Oakland Library (Oakland, NJ) 2/26/24 6:30-7:30 pm.
Virtual Book Club Talk 2/28/24 9-10 pm Alpharetta, GA
Meeting Hoda Kotb, one of the most inspiring women I’ve met on and off camera, 3/4/24 Bookends Bookstore Ridgewood, NJ. (Although this wasn’t my event, it is too cool not to document. So just go with it!)
Virtual Book Talk NYC 3/11/24 8-10 pm.
Primadonna Night and Book Talk, Nevillewood Country Club 3/20/24 6-9 pm.
Sewickley Public Library 4/3/24 7-9 pm.
Book Club 4/4/24 1-3 pm Bridgeville, PA
Cook ‘n BookTM at High Street Studios Pittsburgh, PA 4/6/24 11 am- 2 pm
Highlights of the day- Click here for reel number one by Cindy Richey at Pittsburgh Foodies
Click here for reel number two by Cindy Richey at Pittsburgh Foodies
Catering Event and Book Talk at Unico Italian American Foundation Ramsey, NJ 4/8/24 6:30 pm-9 pm
Robinson Library Local Authors Event 4/20/24 11 am- 1 pm
Glen Rock Library Talk 4/29/24 7-9 pm
Pittsburgh Festival of Books 5/11/24 10 am- 5 pm
Primadonna Pop-Up Night 5/13/24 from 6:30 pm-9 pm with Joe Costanzo, Johnny Angel, and YaJagoff at the Kitchen by Vangura
Click here for our professional photographs of the event. The pin is 6627.
Click here for a highlight reel of the event.
Book Club Cheswick, PA 5/14/24 12:30 pm- 3:00 pm.
Munch and Learn South Park Library 5/15/24 12 pm- 1 pm.
Rotary Club of Pittsburgh 6/5/24 12-1 pm at the Omni William Penn.
Kinnelon Library 6/13/24 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Crane’s Mill Retirement Home (West Caldwell, NJ) 6/19/24 2-3 pm
Robinson Library 6/27/24 6-7 pm
Book Club at the Embassy Retirement Home Mt. Lebanon 6/28/24 1-3 pm
Barnes and Noble Paramus 7/13/24 1-3 pm.
Center for Restorative Justice Works Partner Event 7/18/24 6-8 pm Los Angeles, CA
Ramsey Library Book Talk Ramsey, NJ 7/31/24 7-8 pm
Upper St. Clair Library 9/19/24 6:30-7:30 pm
Robinson Township Fall Festival 9/21/24 12-2 pm
Primadonna Pop Up at the Kitchen by Vangura 9/21/24 6:30-9 pm
Cook ‘n Book NJ (St. Albans Oakland, NJ) 9/30/24 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Upper Saint Clair Coterie at Nevillewood Country Club 10/10/24 12-3 pm.
Cook ‘n Book Pittsburgh 10/12/24 11 am- 2 pm High Street Studios Northside
Nevillewood Book Club 10/15/24 6 pm- 9 pm
Key4Women Keynote Speaker 10/17/24 5-9 pm at Franklin on Penn
Check out our reel for this event here.
Cook ‘n Book Shared Pages Book Club 10/28/24 6-9 pm
Highlight reel from the evening.
Pearl R. Miller Middle School Presentation (Kinnelon, NJ) 2/11/25 and 2/12/25
Cook ‘n Book Flour Power (Allison Park, PA) 3/23/25 3-6 pm
Book Talk Bridgeville Library (Bridgeville, PA) 3/24/25 6-7 pm
Literary Ladies from the Women’s Club of Upper St. Clair (Upper St. Clair, PA) 3/25/25 11 am-1:30 pm
Cook ‘n Book Cooking Demo Warwick Olive Oil Company (Warwick, NY) 3/28/25 6-8 pm
The Terrace Retirement Community Book Talk 4/1/25 3-4 pm (Schenactady, NY)
Cook ‘n Book High Street Studios (Pittsburgh, PA) 4/26/25 11 am-2 pm
Primadonna Pop Up Restaurant
Cook ‘n Book Olive R Twist (Ridgewood, NJ) 5/29/25 7-10 pm
Cook ‘n Book (Lite) Demo 6/21/25 6:30-8:30 pm Kitchen ala Mode, S. Orange, NJ
South Fayette Library 6/28/25 7-9 pm
Oakmont Olive Oil Company (Oakmont, PA) 7/10/25 6-8 pm
Click here for the reel for the event.
7/12/25 Cook ‘n Book Flour Power Pittsburgh (Allison Park, PA) 5-8 pm
7/13/25 Book Talk and Dinner at Marsha Cassel’s Kitchen on Main 4-7 pm
Shamrock Women’s Club (South Park, PA) 7:30-9:30 pm
Faith Keepers Book Club (Upper St. Clair, PA) 10/2/25 6:30-10 pm
Day 1 Filming On the Rocks Documentary
Cook ‘n Book Kitchen Ala Mode (S. Orange, NJ) 10/17/25 6-8 pm
Bookends Fall Book Festival (Ridgewood, NJ) 10/19/25 11 am- 4 pm
West Milford High School Teacher’s Book Club 11/14/25 5-8 pm
Cook ‘n Book Demo Warwick Olive Oil Company (Warwick, NY) 11/18/25 6-8 pm
Cook ‘n Book Olive R Twist (Ridgewood, NJ) 11/19/25 7-9 pm
Cook ‘n Book Flour Power (Allison Park, PA) 11/29/25
Private Galentine’s Day Event 2/7/26 1-4 pm Pittsburgh, PA Reel from the event. https://www.instagram.com/p/DUf1lzqDvxh/
Cook ‘n Book Kitchen Ala Mode 2/13/26 6-8 pm
Galentine’s Day Fundraiser at Ponds Food Pantry 2/21/26 4:30-7:30 pm
Cook ‘n Book Flour Power Pittsburgh 3/20/26 6-8 pm
Cook ‘n Book Wine ‘n Dine Divino Winery (Leetsdale, PA) 11 am-2 pm
Joe C gets interviewed by the University of Pittsburgh Italian Studies students 4/9/26
Book Talk Bethel Park Library (Bethel Park, PA) 4/9/26 6:30-7:30 pm
