Entertaining
 Forking Fantastic
Zora O'Neill & Tamara Reynolds
As the cover states, this book puts the PARTY back in dinner party. These two enthusiastic and a bit off-kilter ladies from NYC both worked at Prune and then began a popular underground dinner club. This book is about all about the fun to be had in preparing and serving food to gathering of people. The book starts you out slow, with a series of easy, seasonal dinner party menus and then kicks it up a notch with more adventurous tasks like “Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Cassoulet” and “Fried Chicken for a Crowd.” Softcover, 244 pp. $25.00.
 Company's Coming Practical Gourmet Small Plates for Sharing
Edited by Laurie Stempfle
Company's Coming, you seem to have come a long way. The first title in the Practical Gourmet series captured the 2009 Cuisine Canada's Culinary Book Award in the cookbook category. What sets this book apart from earlier Company's Coming works is the sophistication of both the ingredients and the flavour combinations. Yet the methods remain as simple as ever - as emphasized in the intro to each recipe. Colour photos. Hardcover, 223 pp. $29.95.
 The Menu
David Laris & Dean Brettschneider
This book is the culmination of the talents of two chefs; David Laris is an internationally renowned chef and Dean Brettschneider is an award winning baker. Together they aim to provide the home cook with 15 five-course menus for at home entertaining with a restaurant feel. For example, menu one from the chapter 'New Comfort Food' features risotto of porcini mushrooms, chicken breast & mascarpone with crispy skin & lemon foam, as well as chocolate & blue cheese tortellini with vanilla ice-cream, crunchy praline & caramel sauce. One for an experienced cook. Colour photography throughout. Hardcover, 215 pp. $48.95.
 In the Mood for Entertaining
Jo Pratt
The follow up to In the Mood for Food provides solutions for your every entertaining need from intimate breakfasts for two to a New Year’s Eve bash for a crowd. Pratt’s menus cover both relaxed and formal occasions. A regular on British television, she has worked with Jamie Oliver, Gary Rhodes, and Brian Turner amongst others. Colour photos. Hardcover, 288 pp. $49.95.
 Nobu Miami: The Party Cookbook
Nobu Matshuisa & Thomas Buckley
With a foreword from not just Daniel Boulud but also Ferran Adria there is a definite mutual admiration society happening! The focus here is on finger foods. The Japanese and South American (Peruvian) influences give the recipes a breath of fresh air to the party scene. Hardcover, 200 pp. $39.95.
 Entertaining at the White House with Nancy Reagan
Peter Schifando & J. Jonathan Joseph
Lavishly illustrated with photographs of parties and events at the White House under the Regean presidency. We get a rare behind-the-scenes look at how state dinners and celebrations are planned and executed. This book is more than a look into the First Lady's guest book, but an interesting look at how events are planned, with attention paid to every last fascinating detail. Hardcover, 223 pp. $58.95.
 Welcome to Michael's
Michael McCarty
With restaurants in Santa Monica and New York city McCarty knows a thing or two about throwing a party. To quote Wolfgang Puck, "There is no boring meal with Michael. It's always a great party." Recipes are not complicated and full of flavour and eye appeal. Hardcover, 229 pp. $46.50.
 Dish Entertains
Trish Magwood
Dish cooking school/catering maven Trish Magwood’s first cookbook is brimming with simple food with maximum visual impact to wow guests everytime. Like Martha Stewart and Donna Hay, Trish Magwood takes familiar dishes such as gazpacho and ups the ante with an unexpected twist to its presentation. Colour photos. Hardcover, 247 pp. $44.95.
Dinner Party Disasters
Annaliese Soros with Abigail Stokes
There is nothing that can make you feel better about your entertaining disasters faster than reading about someone else’sespecially if the host or hostess is rich and famous. Throughout the author has sprinkled tips for averting disasters, or turning them into triumphs when they cannot be avoided. Whimsical drawings. Hardcover, 95 pp. $17.95.
 The Golden Pear Cafe Cookbook
Keith E. Davis
The Golden Pear Café, a Hamptons’ eatery beloved by locals and visitors alike, specializes in brunch, in the widest definition of the term. From breakfast items to light dinners the dishes presented here reflect almost two decades of cooking at the café, and are perfect for entertaining at any time of day. Beware though, most of the recipes make servings for around 10 people or more. Colour plates. Hardcover, 176 pp. $33.95.
 The New York Times Country Weekend Cookbook
Edited by Linda Amster
Featuring favourite recipes from the paper’s food columnists, New York Times compilations are always reliable and often feature the latest trends in doable-at-home versions. What they usually are not is attractive. This one breaks that tradition with the addition of colour photos. Along with current Times writers like Mark Bittman, there are vintage gems from Craig Claiborne, Pierre Franey and Bryan Miller. There is even an essay from the man whose name became synonymous with country weekends: Lee Bailey. Elegant simplicity is the best way to sum up the recipes contributed by a broad range of writers: Mollie Katzen, Diana Kennedy, Nigella Lawson Alfred Portale…. Hardcover, 271pp, $40.00.
 Somebody Is Going To Die If Lilly Beth Doesn't Catch That Bouquet: The Official Southern Ladies' Guide To Hosting The Perfect Wedding
Gayden Metcalfe
Anyone who laughed themselves silly over Being Dead is No Excuse ($25.95), the official Southern Ladies’ guide to hosting the perfect funeral, will find the official Southern ladies’ guide to hosting the perfect wedding equally entertaining. Heck, anyone who has suffered through cousin Debby’s rendition of “My Heart Will Go On” in a church full of orange gladiolas will appreciated this book The bonus is recipes for Southern classics like cheese straws and shrimp remoulade Alas, no photos. Hardcover, 258 pp. $24.95.
 The Silver Palate Cookbook 25th Anniversary Edition
Julee Rosso, Sheila Lukins & Michael McLaughlin
How time flies when one is enjoying oneself in the kitchen.! The quintessential cookbook of the eighties, the book which changed cookbook design forever, is now officially a classic. All the favorite recipes are still here - yes the chicken Marbella in all its glory - the only change is the addition of colour photos and some lovely testimonials. Hardcover, 450 pp. $25.95.
Party Party Party!
Perfect for those who haven't emerged from the chip & dip stage of entertaining, this book is full of classic and modern finger food for cocktail parties, casual get togethers, and everything in between. If you are still limited to beer, wine, and pop there are also great recipes for non-alcoholic coolers and classic cocktails. Handy icons tell you how long something will take to prepare, how many it will feed, and even how bad it is for you (in the form of calories and fat grams per serving). Colour photos. Hardcover, 125 pp. $13.95.
 Real
Simple Celebrations: Easy entertaining for every occasion
Real Simple
From the successful Real Simple magazine comes this very worthy
second cookbook. Themed menus will help the unsure cook, and even the experienced
cook, navigate everything from invitations, etiquette, decorations as well as
delicious recipes, and of course all simply done. Hardcover, 192 pp, $34.95.
 Opera
Lover's Cookbook
Francine Segan
Each chapter is a menu for entertaining, an Italian dinner orchestrated to the
strains of Verdi's Traviatia, or an English style pub supper
with a Gilbert & Sullivan overture. Hardcover, 224 pp, $45.00.
 Instant
Entertaining
Donna Hay
Our go-to gal when time and creativity are of the essence, Donna Hay's minimalist
entertaining credo will carry the host through spur-of-the-moment weeknight suppers
to special occasion buffets. For those who have avoided Australian books because
of confusing terms and strange measurements, this book features both a glossary
and conversion chart. Colour photos. Hardcover, 192 pp. $49.95.
  From the Ambassador's Table
Margaret H. Dickenson
Blueprints for Creative Entertaining. Dickenson had plenty of practice
in entertaining for differtent occasions as the wife of a former
Canadian Ambassador. Her enthusiasm and tips on entertaining whether
for large or
small crowds is only limited by your imagination. Hardcover,
239 pp. $50.00.
 The Cocktail Chef: Entertaining in Style
Dinah Koo and Janice Poon
Toronto's premier caterer Dinah Koo and Stylist-to-the
starts Janice Poon have fashioned a practical guide to the new way
to entertain with signature cocktails, eight essential appetizers and
seven
fab party menus, this book informs as it entertains. 240 pp. $35.00.
 Margaret's Table
Margaret Dickenson
Easy cooking and inspiring entertaining from this seasoned host. A welcome sequel
to From the Ambassador's Table ($50). Hardcover, 224 pp. $45.00.
 Wine,
Food & Friends
Karen MacNeil
Using Cooking Light recipes for her seasonal menus, wine writer, consultant and
television hostess Karen MacNeil (Wine Bible, $29.95) demonstrates
how to achieve a marriage of food and wine that enhances both. Colour photos.
192 pp. $32.95.
 Fresh Every Day
Sara Foster
If anything, Sara Foster's new book is even better than her first, (The
Foster's Market Cookbook $53.00). Like Ina Garten and Martha Stewart
(for whom she was a chef in the catering operation), Foster's brilliance is
in refreshing the familiar while remembering when to leave well-enough alone-witness
her mother's recipes for apple cobbler with buttermilk biscuit topping and
pot roast. Colour photos Hardcover, 287 pp, $46.95.
 A Matter of Taste
Lucy Waverman and James Chatto
Two of Toronto s best food writers have combined forces to present contemporary
menus for almost every imaginable occasion(her efforts) enhanced by inspired
suggestions for accompanying wines and spirits(his efforts).We heartily recommend
the salmon spring rolls with balsamic dipping sauce. Hardcover, 368pp, $50.00.
 David
Rosengarten Entertains
David Rosengarten
For those who are totally unstrung by the mere thought of entertaining, the popular
Food Network star chooses an ingredient, tells you where to find it, builds the
menu, sets the scene, in short he does the thinking. The relaxed host and her/his
guests may revel at a zydeco Thanksgiving or a Devon cream tea, a Mexican street
party or a cassoulet dinner. Colour photos. Hardcover, 394 pp, $50.99.
 Retro Happy Hour
Linda Everett
If you have ever wondered how Ward and June survived day after day of living
with Wally and the Beaver, here is the answer: alcohol with high sugar, high
salt, high fat snacks. Roast up some Smoky Mountain almond nibbles, mix the Singapore
slings and get back to the future. Vintage illustrations. Hardcover, 128 pp,
$26.95.
Deviled Eggs
Debbie Moose
Everyone who thought the deviled eggs were perfect once the yolks
were mashed with a bit of mayo, mustard and chives, should think
again. Add vodka, for
the dry martini deviled egg or spinach and bacon, or (gasp) cocoa for devil’s
food eggs.Who knew there were so many ways to make a good thing,if not better,
at least stranger? Colour photos Hardcover, 95 pp, $17.95.
 Domestic
Bliss
Rita Konig
A modern girl's guide to simple ways to add style to her life. This whimsically
illustrated book includes chapters on playing hostess, giving and wrapping gifts
and domestic chores. A flirty, hip Martha-esque read. Hardcover, 285 pp., $22.00.
 Tasting
Club
Dina Cheney
You have done winetastings, vertical, horizontal, sideways. Now there is a beautifully
produced guide to a whole world of tastings including apples, honey, cheese and
balsamic vinegar. Colour photos. 255 pp. $30.00.
Celebrate!
Sheila Lukins
One half of the dynamic duo that brought us The Silver Palate and
The New Basics has penned creative and easy recipes for entertaining.
Fresh and flavourful. Softcover, 420 pp. $29.95.
 Australian
Gourmet Traveller Party Food
The sublime and the frivolous co-exist delectably in a book that concentrates
mainly on finger foods both savoury and sweet. Warm brandade with walnut toasts?
Oh yum! Rose-scented marshmallows? Exotically cute. Picture with every recipe.
Paper, 128pp,$19.95.
 Big Book Of Potluck
Maryana Vollstedt
This one's chock-full of crowd-pleasing, portable one-pot dishes for parties,
picnics and family gatherings. Softcover, 344 pp. $27.95.
 Viva la Vida:
Festive Recipes for Entertaining Latin-Style
Rafael Palomino with Arlen Gargagliano
Everyday cooking becomes a fiesta with these delicious and flavourful recipes!
To try: Chimichurri
Lamb Chops with Goat Cheese (p. 110) and Dolce de Leche (p.178)
over seasonal fruit... mmmm! Softcover, 202 pp., $29.95.
 Good Things For Entertaining
Martha Stewart
Another volume in the Good Things With Martha Stewart Living series, it demonstrates
how to entertain with simple elegance. Packed with easy ideas, projects and recipes.
Softcover, 144 pp. $33.00.
 The
Barefoot Contessa Family Style
Ina Garten
Make your guests feel like family with these warm, home-cooked meal
ideas. Full of full-colour photographs. Try the Blueberry Coffee
Cake Muffins (p. 174) with a cup of fresh, hot coffee in the morning
and you won't be disappointed. Hardcover, 240 pp. $49.95.
 Diva Cooking
Victoria Blashford-Snell & Jennifer Joyce
From multi-course extravaganzas to a casual buffet, the British authors
show how to combine glamorous presentation with seasonal fresh with
a minimum expenditure of time. Softcover, 176
pp, $29.95. Recipe: Grilled
Red Peppers Stuffed with Herbed Ricotta and Black-Olive Vinaigrette.
 Barefoot Contessa Parties!
Ina Garten
The Contessa's sixteen theme party menus are designed to maximize
relaxation while eliminating all the fuss. A chocolate ganache cake
is the star of the book. Colour
photos. Hardcover, $49.95. Recipe: Chocolate
Ganache Cake.
 Entertaining
Donna Hay
It's party time and you don't know what to prepare. Donna Hay pulls
it all together for you. The basics, the menus, the wines. All you
have to do is cook, look as beautiful and delicious as the food and sit back
and listen to the compliments. Colour illustrations. $29.95.
Back to top |
