Apr 25, 2025 By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger 6 min read

It may have taken Maria Palmer 17 years to pen her first book, “On the Rocks: The Primadonna Story,” but once the book was released, she hit the ground running.

The memoir, which chronicles her family’s popular restaurant in McKees Rocks, quickly gained momentum.

For the first six months, Palmer relied upon a public relations service to write and send press releases. After that she began to connect with the public more directly-launching her signature “Cook and Book” events, which continue to sell out across the country.

Cooking with the family

The next “Cook and Book” will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at High Street Studios in Pittsburgh.

“It’s a three-hour experience,” Palmer explained. “During the first half, we cook together using family recipes. In the second half, we enjoy lunch before launching into a book discussion, with me, my mom, Donna and my dad, Joe Costanzo,” she said.

The little book that could

Palmer, who now lives in New Jersey, said that her father-Joe Costanzo, the larger-than-life owner of the Primadonna restaurant-always dreamed of a book or movie chronicling his life. According to Palmer, a Carnegie Mellon University professor once approached Joe about writing his story, but the timing wasn’t quite right, but it planted a seed.

Soon Palmer began peppering her dad with questions and his answers became part of Pennsylvania’s culinary history.

With the help of co-author Ruthie Dines Robbins, a former English teacher and Palmer’s longtime mentor, the book began to take shape. “Ruthie asked to see some of the pages in the beginning,” recalls Palmer. “I initially said no, but then reconsidered and she presented them to her writing group in Buffalo, N.Y., where they recognized the commercial potential,” Palmer said.

The next challenge was to shop the book to agents and publishers-an exercise for the thick-skinned only. “The book is about an underdog and nobody wanted to touch it,” said Palmer, who reached out to 265 agents who either rejected the book, or ghosted her.

During this period, the health of Palmer’s father began to deteriorate. He underwent back surgery, a valve replacement, two kidney transplants and battled sepsis. “The only thing that gave him a glimmer of hope at that time was the book,” said Palmer, adding that she, too, had hope. “All we needed was one yes,” she said. That yes finally came from Virginia-based Koehler Books.

The authors subsequently celebrated their victory at the Senator John Heinz History Center, with 500 people who had purchased the pre-sold books. During the event, Palmer sold an additional 1,500 books, catapulting it to the top of the culinary memoir charts alongside culinary luminaries like Stanley Tucci and the late Anthony Bourdain.

“Since then, it’s been full-speed ahead,” said Palmer.

Trademarked and touring

Palmer said that she has since trademarked the “Cook and Book” events, which she now hosts regularly both in Pittsburgh and around the country. Her father and mother often attend the get-togethers. Attendees are instructed in making homemade pasta and marinara sauce and afterwards Palmer holds a Q & A session where fans of the book and the restaurant can ask questions of Palmer and her parents.

Attendees seem to be especially tickled to meet Constanzo when they learn about the twists and turns his life has taken over the years. From working at the post office, to running a successful restaurant in an unlikely area and ultimately spending time in jail while befriending unconventional characters with names like “Big Sexy.” While it may not be a quintessential family story, it is certainly unique and helps one understand the strength of family ties.

Primadonna pop-ups

Palmer also hosts Primadonna Pop-Up restaurants twice a year as well. “It’s part dinner theater and part food demonstration,” Palmer said. Each BYO event is limited to 50 guests who are served four courses.

People often come to the pop-ups for the opportunity to reminisce and share memories, ask questions and offer feedback, according to Palmer. “One thing we’ve learned is that food nostalgia is certainly big, especially in the days of fast casual and Uber Eats. Enjoying a meal with that personal touch is something a lot of people miss now and it brings back positive memories,” she said.

And Constanzo certainly made sure that his customers were on the receiving end of a great experience, greeting visitors and treating them as family. “One guy we met at one of our events didn’t have a strong father figure and brought along a picture of my dad with him, which was very touching,” said Palmer, adding that her father instinctively knew that as a restaurant owner, he was responsible for creating lasting memories. He also had a knack for bringing people out of their shells.

Future plans

The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree when it comes to Palmer, who, too, can be described as a people person. This is just one reason why she shines on the Cook and Book circuit. Palmer is now planning a second book, called “The Primadonna Table.”

“It will be one-part recipes and one-part stories behind the dishes,” she said, adding that her father was innovative when it came to marketing. “People would ask for off-menu items and he would do it and name it after the person whose idea it was. Next thing you know it is on the menu and they would bring their friends. That’s how he amassed 32 different pasta dishes.”.

Palmer said that it’s been a remarkable journey so far and like her father, she is looking forward to meeting more people along the way.

“Being able to share these experiences with fans of the restaurant and readers of the book not only keeps me incredibly busy, but also ignites me and that’s a wonderful thing,” she said.

To purchase tickets or to find out more information about event, visit Palmer’s website at https://mariacpalmer.com/.

Stephanie Kalina-Metzger is a freelance writer.