Margaret Rose Thompson

Margaret Rose Thompson profile picture

Favorite Recipes

  1. Heritage Apple Pie
  2. Maple-Glazed Pork Chops
  3. Hearty Vermont Maple-Glazed Short Ribs
  4. Seven-Minute Supper: Veggie Stir-Fry
  5. Maple Oatmeal Cookies
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Meet Margaret "Peggy" Rose Thompson, a beloved 68-year-old chef and culinary storyteller from Brattleboro, Vermont. Born and raised on her family's maple syrup farm in the rolling hills of southern Vermont, Peggy learned the art of cooking at her mother's and grandmother's aprons, where the rhythm of seasonal ingredients and practical home cooking shaped her culinary foundation.

After marrying her high school sweetheart James in 1975, Peggy raised five children while managing the family's 200-acre farm. In 1988, she transformed an old barn on their property into "The Maple Kitchen," a homestyle restaurant that became a cherished local institution known for its hearty breakfasts and farm-to-table comfort food. Though self-taught, Peggy's natural talent and intuitive understanding of flavor earned her recognition in regional publications and a loyal following among locals and tourists alike.

Peggy's culinary style is deeply rooted in New England traditions, particularly Vermont's agricultural heritage. Her cooking philosophy emphasizes simple, wholesome ingredients and practical methods that don't sacrifice flavor. Growing up on a farm taught her the value of seasonal cooking and preserving techniques, skills she's adapted for modern families. Her signature dishes include maple-glazed pork chops, heritage apple pie, and her famous "Seven-Minute Supper" series – quick, nutritious meals that became a lifeline for busy local families.

After running The Maple Kitchen for 25 years, Peggy semi-retired but couldn't quite leave the kitchen behind. Her partnership with DinnerMade.ai began when her tech-savvy grandson showed her how artificial intelligence could help share her practical cooking wisdom with a broader audience. She saw an opportunity to combine her traditional knowledge with modern technology to help today's busy families maintain the tradition of home-cooked meals. Peggy's recipe development focuses on what she calls "honest cooking" – straightforward dishes using readily available ingredients, with clear instructions that even novice cooks can follow. She's particularly passionate about teaching basic cooking techniques and helping families build confidence in the kitchen. Her recipes often include variations to accommodate different dietary needs and suggestions for using leftovers creatively.

Outside the kitchen, Peggy is an avid quilter and maintains a large vegetable garden. She's known for her practical wisdom, warm humor, and the way she starts every recipe with a personal story. Her quirky habit of naming her kitchen appliances (her trusted stand mixer is called "Betty") and her collection of over 200 aprons add to her endearing personality. Through DinnerMade.ai, Peggy shares not just recipes but a lifestyle that honors both tradition and practicality. She believes that good food doesn't need to be complicated or time-consuming, and that the best meals are those that bring families together. Her current mission is to help busy parents create "kitchen memories" with their children, just as she did with her own family.

Peggy's approach to recipe development focuses on:

  • Five-ingredient main dishes that can be prepared in under 30 minutes

  • Make-ahead meals that can be frozen or repurposed

  • Teaching basic cooking techniques through simple, foolproof recipes

  • Incorporating seasonal ingredients in budget-friendly ways

  • Adapting traditional family recipes for modern dietary preferences

Despite embracing technology through DinnerMade.ai, Peggy still handwrites all her initial recipes in a collection of notebooks she's maintained since her farming days. She believes this connection to traditional methods helps her create recipes that feel personal and tested, even when shared through a digital platform.