Hand Me the Fork - by Maddy DeVita (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Recipes, cooking secrets, and techniques you'll use forever from private chef Maddy DeVita"The only problem I have is choosing which recipe to make next because I want to make them all!" --Ina Garten, from the foreword
In her debut cookbook, food creator, private chef, and recipe developer Maddy DeVita (@handmethefork) shares the recipes she returns to again and again--from modern classics and reimagined family favorites to the dishes she's refined through years of cooking for private clients. In Hand Me the Fork, you'll find playful, nostalgic, deeply satisfying recipes you'll want to make on repeat, including chapters like:

The Classics: Fancy Chicken Parm, Braised Pork Ragù Bianco

Rich People Love Salad: Midsummer Shrimp and Sungold Salad, Tuna Tartare Niçoise

Be Your Own Private Chef: Rip-and-Dip Gougères with Taleggio, Braised Short Ribs di Modena

Snacks Approved to Ruin Your Appetite: Dirty Martini Gildas, Braised Leek and White Bean Dip

I Promise You Can Bake: Rye-Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sticky Toffee Tarte Tatin

Every chapter is packed with chef tricks and practical cooking lessons that explain why recipes work--helping you cook with more confidence, trust your instincts, and make delicious food long after you've closed the book.

DeVita also shares the practical lessons she wishes she'd known when she first started cooking--from how chefs shop at the farmers market to the secrets of composing a beautiful plate, building memorable menus, and hosting gatherings that feel effortless (without losing your mind).

Written to be cooked from, splattered with olive oil, filled with margin notes, and eventually passed along to someone you love, Hand Me the Fork is more than a cookbook. It's an invitation to become the kind of cook who relies less on instructions and more on intuition.

Review Quotes

"The first time I met Maddy DeVita, I knew we were kindred spirits...This is her first cookbook, and it's truly extraordinary."--Ina Garten, from the foreword

"This book is one to be pored over, savored, and pulled out when you really feel like treating yourself and the people you love. From the easy formulas ('Recipes to Commit to Memory') to the fancy chicken parm to the snacks, Maddy's done the impossible--I feel like cooking everything."--Caroline Chambers, author of the bestselling cookbook and Substack What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking

"In Hand Me the Fork, Maddy pulls inspiration from her childhood, private chef experience, and overall love of food to bring a thoughtful collection of recipes to life. It's the type of cookbook that's sure to leave you feeling cozy, nourished, and inspired along with the skills to become a much smarter home cook."--Hailee Catalano, author of By Heart

"Maddy is a passionate cook whose talent shines in every recipe! Her book is a soulful and inspiring addition to any cookbook collection."--Daniel Boulud, chef and restaurateur

"Maddy's first cookbook could not have a better title--read the captivating stories and cook these craveable recipes and you'll find yourself saying, 'Hand me the fork!' I can assure you this is a cookbook you will devour and find yourself eagerly returning to again and again."--Nancy Silverton, chef, co-owner of the Mozza Group, and cookbook author

About the Author

Maddy DeVita is a New York City-based private chef, recipe developer, writer, and culinary creator whose approach to food is deeply rooted in family, tradition, and a love of bringing people together. Raised in a large Italian American family, Maddy developed an early appreciation for the art of cooking, learning cherished, time-honored recipes alongside her Nonna. These formative experiences continue to shape her culinary perspective today, inspiring a distinctive approach that celebrates seasonal ingredients, honors her Italian heritage, and brings a thoughtful, personal touch to every dish. Through her cooking, Maddy blends the comfort of tradition with a fresh, modern sensibility, creating memorable meals that tell a story and invite others to gather around the table.