Interview with Margaret Dickenson, PHEc (Part 1)

As part of celebrating World Home Economics Day on March 21, 2022, we 
had the privilege to interview our very own Margaret Dickenson, a renowned author and award-winning Professional Home Economist. Read on to learn more about Margaret's journey and her remarkable career in home economics.

What does home economics mean to you?

Many may have their own perception of the term home economics. As for myself, it encompasses skills to equip one in creating a balanced, healthy, stable, and satisfying home/family life. This includes the ability to cook, understanding the nutritional quality of food and their preparation, efficiently practicing the management of household tasks, time and schedules, finances, and having some basic knowledge of apparel and sewing, plus of course, a focus on child-rearing and maintaining a happy family life. However, when asked about my degree, I always also specify that I am a graduate of Foods and Nutrition.

What are you most proud of in your career in home economics?

Numerous career successes, stem from my solid, diverse, and practical studies in home economics - and certainly, a passion to do my best, as well as a strong work ethic. I have indeed been blessed with many proud moments in my career.

Winning the latest two prestigious international awards is an amazing and significant recognition. “From the Ambassador’s Table - Blueprint for Creative Entertaining” was honored as for being a historically first cookbook specifically providing the blueprints for creative entertaining. (i.e.,: Deciding on the choice of event, how to organize the event, dealing with invitations and excepting invitations, designing appealing menus, working out seating plans, how to set a table, service of food and beverages, table manners and of course, a full repertoire of tantalizing recipes including hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, soups, salads, palate cleansers, main courses, accompaniments, desserts, finishing touches/chocolates and basic recipes.)

Also “Margaret‘s Table - Easy Cooking and Inspiring Entertaining” received one of the very few special awards as a tribute to my expertise in entertaining. This was a remarkable international salute to my well-honed art in developing and practicing a very unique and personal style of successful and memorable entertaining.

There is a quote by Maya Angelou that I am especially fond of: “People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”   When it comes to entertaining her words ring very true to me. I always want to “Wow” my guests and leave them enchanted with special memories long after the event.

No doubt, in addition to having had my own lifestyle and cooking TV series, seeing these cookbooks win a total of 11 international awards, I’m also particularly proud of having been named “Alumna of Honour 2011” for the University of Guelph.

About Margaret Dickenson, PHEc

Having been raised by a widowed mother on a dairy farm in Thunder Bay, Margaret learned to commit herself to hard work and resourcefulness at an early age. She graduated from the University of Guelph in 1968 with a degree in foods and nutrition. She spent 27 exciting and rewarding years supporting her foreign service spouse in 8 different posts around the world, including eight years as an Ambassador. From the first post, Margaret gained a strong reputation for her creative culinary talents and her very personal and unique style of successful entertaining, 
which continues to gain momentum today. Her cookbooks, “From the 
Ambassador’s Table - Blueprints for Creative Entertaining” and self-published “Margaret’s Table - Easy Cooking and Inspiring Entertaining” (Amazon.ca), have together won 11 significant international wards in the entertaining category, including 2 “Best of the Best - 25 Years” at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards held recently in Paris, France (December 2021). Margaret has also written and hosted two top-rated TV series available on her website (margaretstable.ca). Margaret continues in her creative recipe development, freelance writing, support of a myriad of charities, and teaching. Her “Business Protocol, Social and Dining Etiquette” and for young people “Mind Your Manners" courses  receive remarkable feedback.Margaret has two loving and professionally successful daughters, Tonya and Christa, and five grandchildren. Unfortunately, her wonderful husband of 50 years (Larry) passed away four years ago.