Birmingham, Martie Duncan, Birmingham's Best Bites, Magic City Cravings, Books-A-Million, cookbooks, southern cookbooks, Martie Knows Parties — Martie Duncan. Photo via @Martieparty.

Mother’s Day is upon us. May 13 to be exact! Have you found a special gift for your mom yet?

If your mom loves spending time in the kitchen, Books-A-Million has the perfect gift ideas for her this Mother’s Day, “Birmingham’s Best Bites” and “Magic City Cravings: The Most Requested Recipes from Birmingham Restaurants Then and Now” by Birmingham native, Martie Duncan.

Who is Martie Duncan?

Martie Duncan is the consummate professional party thrower/goer, a creative cook and is the author of two well-received cookbooks, Magic City Cravings and Birmingham’s Best Bites. She was also born and raised in our very own city of Birmingham.

As someone who loves to cook and entertain, Martie has found great success in both areas.

Birmingham, Marti Duncan, Marti Knows Parties, Birmingham's Best Bites, Magic City Cravings — Martie Duncan. Photo via Martie Knows Parties.

Martie is president of her own party-planning company in Birmingham, Martie Knows Parties. Martie Knows Parties offers everything from recipes and catering services to how-to tips on decorating and entertaining – everything a true Southern hostess should know.

In 2012, she competed for her own television series in one of TV’s most popular cooking competitions – Food Network Star. Among thousands of applicants, Martie was selected to compete on the show’s eighth season. Her talents proved strong, because she made it all the way to the finale, where she won first runner-up.

While on the show, Food Network executives described Martie’s food as, “Warm and comforting, like hot cocoa or flannel pajamas.”

Sounds like some cozy, Southern goodness, doesn’t it?

About the cookbooks

Alongside Chanda Temple, a former Birmingham News reporter, Martie co-authored the award-winning cookbook, Birmingham’s Best Bites. The book made its debut in October 2014.

Birmingham, Martie Duncan, Chanda Temple, Birmingham's Best Bites, Southern cookbooks, cookbooks, Books-A-Million — Birmingham’s Best Bites by Martie Duncan. Photo via martieduncan.com.

Filled with a delicious collection of all-time favorite recipes from local Birmingham restaurants, the book became a quick success. So much so, that Martie decided to team up with Chanda once again in a follow-up book titled Magic City Cravings. The book, which hit store shelves in August 2017, features 236 pages filled with over 85 scrumptious recipes.

Both books have scored rave reviews – especially from those with roots in Birmingham.

Why will your mom love these cookbooks?

Within each cookbook, your mom will discover page after page of inspiring photographs and cherished memories from some of Birmingham’s most beloved restaurants and chefs. But what will really entice her are some of the most sought-after recipes from the past and present. Frequent the timeless classics from The Bright Star as well as culinary favorites from the gone-but-not-forgotten classic, Cobb Lane Restaurant. Trend-setting newbies like Post Office Pies help round out the collection, representing Birmingham’s hot new food scene.

Birmingham, Martie Duncan, Magic City Cravings by Martie Duncan, Magic City Cravings, Chanda Temple, southern cookbooks, cookbooks, Books-A-Million — Magic City Cravings by Martie Duncan. Photo via martieduncan.com.

With specialty recipes like these, your mom’s cooking will soar from delicious to delectable!

And for the cherry on top, wrap up all the good feels knowing that the proceeds from your purchase of Birmingham’s Best Bites and Magic City Cravings go to the Birmingham Public Library and Children’s Hospital. Smiles all around!

Don’t forget, Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13. Buy your copies of Magic City Cravings and Birmingham’s Best Bites now, and just maybe Mom will send you home with some homemade yummy goodness. It’s a win-win!

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