Editorial Review

If you consider eating with friends and family a joyful, indulgent celebration chances are you love a good feast. And who better to carefully guide you through the daunting task of preparing that Read more

Reviews (31)

FeastFood to Celebrate Life
One of the best cookbooks I ever bougth. It's like a hobbie in itself. I plan to try a different receipe every weekend with great results!.

"Feast" gives great inspiration for celebrating life!
In her fifth cookery book, "Feast", Nigella Lawson offers a collection of recipes and occasions to mark our lives. It is her experience that "food is the vital way we celebrate anything that matters" (vii). Before us, then, is a book replete with recipes new and familiar to mark occasions traditional (Christmas, New Year, Easter), foreign (at least from my ethnocentric perspective: Venetian, Eid, and Rosh Hashanah), and fun (Valentine's Day, Breakfast, and Midnight). A feast is not just a meal; it is a condition of an innate human need to mark an event or occasion with those to whom we have a close bond by augmenting it with food.
Anything by Nigella is great!!
This was the first book I bought by Nigella Lawson and I loved it so much that I immediately bought every other book by her that I could find.The recipes are great and most of them are very easy to prepare.Besides that, the book is joy to just sit down and read, as are all her books!!!I also should mention all the gorgeous photographs of the food.You'll love this book!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Holiday - General    6. Holiday cookery    7. Methods - General    8. Cooking / Cookery for One   

Subjects:  1. Appetizers    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Appetizers    6. Entertaining    7. Entertaining - General    8. Home Economics (General)    9. Cooking / Appetizers   

Reviews (1)

Full of New Ideas!
I'm addicted to Christmas books & magazines, so I wasn't sure if I'd really find anything new or unique in this book.This is the first Gooseberry Patch book I've ever looked through, so I can't comment on how it compares with other G.P. editions, but I did find many cute and clever craft ideas and recipes that were new to me.One idea I plan to try is the Framed Hankie Card Holder that uses a wood frame and 3 Christmas-themed hankies to create pockets to hold received cards (sounds odd, but it's cute).Other ideas I liked for my home using red & white fabrics and holiday-themed tea towels include a Quilt, Tea Towel Gift Bags, Table Runner & Chair Back Covers.A clever gift for kids to make is a covered chip can filled with chocolate-dipped potato chips (the kind of chips that all have the same shape and line up in a tall can).Lots of snowflake-themed gifts, a few pet gifts, wrapping and card ideas.Plus, there are dozens of great, new recipes for food gifts, holiday meals and entertaining (hot drink mixes, decadent desserts, soups, and some new side dish combinations). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating - General    6. Entertaining - General    7. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    8. Seasonal   

Reviews (17)

Jaw Dropping Coffee Table Book
A treasure! Gorgeous photography on glossy paper; perfect gift or coffee table book. Easy recipes mixed with very do-able settings that create beauty in the extreme. Every page is special.

Visually stunning and an incredible resource
This book is absolutely amazing.Although I do not have all the resources as Ms. Roehm, the recipes are supurb, while the suggestions and ideas are easily adaptable to the smaller scale and your personal environment.If you are looking for a resource on interior design, think again...this is an entertaining guide.There are also lots of helpful hints regarding color usage and flower selection.This book is my new entertaining Bible!Step aside, Martha!

Nice recipes ...
I've only made a few of the recipes so far, but they turned out very nicely. In particular, the lemon-dill pasta will become a staple of mine from here on out.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Seasonal    7. Cooking / Entertaining    8. Etiquette & entertaining    9. General cookery   

Reviews (5)

Isn't for the party-giver who likes stress
REAL LIFE ENTERTAINING: EASY RECIPES AND UNCONVENTIONAL WISDOM isn't for the party-giver who likes stress: it advocates a more carefree method of throwing a party whether impromptu or planned way ahead, foregoing fancy plans for budget-conscious convenience. Techniques for entertaining pair easy yet elegant recipes with ideas for festive themes. Color pictures throughout enhance the displays.
Perfect for those intimidated by dinner parties
I throw a fair number of parties but struggle with how to enjoy them more.
I threw my first dinner party... for my parents!
I threw my first dinner party ever with this book... and somehow was crazy enough to invite my parents!
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - General    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Home Management    8. Methods - Quick & Easy    9. Quick and easy cookery    10. Cooking / Entertaining    11. Etiquette & entertaining    12. General cookery   

Reviews (4)

A focus on 'milestone' birthdays from one to one hundred
BIG BIRTHDAYS: THE PARTY PLANNER CELEBRATES LIFE'S MILESTONES isn't just another birthday book for parents: it's a focus on 'milestone' birthdays from one to one hundred and provides a party planner's experience gained from planning such for famous stars and personalities. You may recognize him from his TV appearances: a fair for elegance, humor, and design lend to a party planner that pairs delicious food recipes with decorating tips. Color photos throughout capture the finished products and excitement of his approach.
a MUST read
Having a summer birthday has never been much fun, it somehow always goes uncelebrated. This year I was inspired to throw my own festivities. What was supposed to be a quick search for party ideas turned into a total body experience after delving into David Tutera's book Big Birthdays. In his book he executed and fabulously captured five birthday parties exploring the five senses (look, scent, texture, sound and taste) through each event. His tips ('Tutera Tips') were the most helpful; it was almost as if he could hear my questions and answer my thoughts concerning each party scenario. After my celebration they will have to reprint the book, Tutera's ideas were truly an inspiration. This book is a must-have for any status of event planner.

Highly Recommended
This year my grandmother ceebrated her 80th birthday, and with that, I wanted to surprise her with an elgant dinner party for some of her closest family and friends. Having never embarked on such a thing before, I set out to Amazon to find a book that would help me from beginning to end. David Tutera's latest book, Big Birthdays, gave me many great ideas. I immediately fell in love with the sophisticated White-On-White dinner party. The instructions and focus on details allowed me to easily recreate the atmosphere and ultimately throw a spectacular party!! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to host such an event and will definately look to David Tutera in the future for inspiration for another great get together! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birthday parties    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Entertaining - General    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    8. General    9. Handicraft    10. Social Situations And Conditions    11. Etiquette & entertaining    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (4)

Now that's cooking
No food stylist here, real food cooked and shown by a chef who by the photos and the opening of each chapter loves what he does and cooks from the heart. I have many cook books being a fan of food and chefs and those TV chefs pump them out, doubt if they even write them on thier own.
So much passion!
This chef rocks. I have attended two of his lectures and demos with class mates on cooking and food. He has so much passion and love for what he does. He said to us in his class I cook with water I do walk on water we are here together to share and learn from each other with a simple thing called food. The man is full of talent, love for his craft and this book shows all of his. We love you chef!

Good Cooking
This is a fist class cook book. With so many out there, this book has a nice designe, great pictures that show food you want to eat! It even has breakfast and lunch items, not all meals revolve around dinner.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Methods - Professional    5. Cooking / Entertaining    6. General cookery   

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Dinners and dining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Menus    7. Tablesetting    8. Cooking / General    9. General cookery   

Reviews (2)

DELICIOUS RECIPES - GORGEOUS PRESENTATIONS

Susan Mason's Silver Service
The food is incredible and elegant yet surpisingly simple to do.One of the best occasion cookbooks out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Tablesetting   

Reviews (2)

Bon Appetit does it again--a great resource for entertaining
With my busy schedule, I dont have the luxury to test new dishes before I entertain. I know I can always count on recipes from Bon Appetit cookbooks and this one is no exception. This book is not only a cookbook but a menu planner and resource guide. Last weekend I had 10 people over and served the following from the book:spicy shrimp in snow peas, deviled eggs with smoked salmon and green onions, spinach bacon spirals, and layered enchilada casserole.All got rave reviews. In the fall I used dishes from the barbecue menu.This book gives menus and planning tips for a number of entertaining ideas--from Saturday potluck to help yourself brunch to drinks and eats. Entertaining can be easy!
This cookbook really does make entertaining easy. Not only does it offer delicious recipes that we've come to expect from Bon Appetit but it organizes them in such a way that your menu and time easilymanaged.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining    4. Entertaining - General    5. Entertaining - Party Planning    6. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    7. Tablesetting    8. Cooking / American / General   

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining    4. Entertaining - General    5. Parties    6. Party decorations    7. Planning    8. Tablesetting    9. Cooking / Entertaining    10. Etiquette & entertaining   

Reviews (20)

BEAUTIFUL BOOK
I GAVE THIS BOOK AS A GIFT, BEFORE I WRAPPED IT I LOOKED THROUGH IT.THE PICTURES OF THE FOOD ARE BEAUTIFUL.THE RECIPES SOUND GREAT, MOST OF THEM NOT TOO DIFFICULT.

VERY GOOD PICTURES -P E R I O D .
I JUST WROTE ON THE TITLE WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK. MORE THAN THAT: DON'T waste YOUR MONEY AND THE CALORIES ON THIS BOOK\RECIPES.FULL OF FAT RECIPES AND MOST OF THEM- VERY NOT HEALTHY.
Beautiful Cookbook
This book would make a great gift for the kosher cook. Lovely pictures and recipes. More work-intensive recipes than I would hope for, but nice. GREAT, GREAT price! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, American    2. Cookery, Jewish    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher   

Reviews (4)

"Why" as well as "how" is important
While one can not truly barbeque on a grill, this guide gets you as close as possible.Good grilling is not rocket science but this book explains what many have learned only through trial-and-error.When trying a new receipe, I always compare it with this guide.While I may prefer sauces and rubs found in my other six grilling books, this is my Bible on how to apply them. Buy this book first and use it as your standard when reviewing others. Of course, like all receipe books, you must use your own good judgement. For example, one receipe says start your salmon fillets skin side down while another says skin side up. (I think skin side up is the right way to go to get better marking and to make it easier to see how cooking is progressing.) I use this book and I give it to my friends.Enjoy!
I'm getting another one for myself
I gave this book to my brother for his birthday.He is a BBQ addict - once flew to Memphis for a week, just to do BBQ research.He rarely finds anything of interest in most books or magazines.He loves this book and within the first 20 minutes of reading it (while we finished assembling his birthday cake) he announced, twice, that he had "found something".Having found the perfect gift, I couldn't be more pleased.

A "Must Have" Grilling and Barbeque Book!
"The Cook's Illustrated Guide to Grilling and Barbeque" is in my opinion a "must have" book for anyone wanting to learn or improve his/her outdoor cooking skills. This book, copyrighted in 2005, appears to me to be an updated and revised version of the similar "The Best Recipe Grilling & Barbeque" book copyrighted in 2001 (which I bought at the same time). After reading through both books, I do not see any reason for purchasing the 2001 book.
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Subjects:  1. Barbecue cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Methods - Barbecue & Grilling    6. Methods - Outdoor    7. Gadget cookery    8. Main courses   

Reviews (5)

This cookbook exists to make you look good
Although I have never done an entire menu from this book, every recipe I've tried from here has been delicious, super-easy and perfect, and I've tried several for my dinner parties. The desserts, especially, are delicious, impressive and simple.
i love this book
Simple Soirees is my new favorite cookbook. In December I lugged it to New Zealand to bring as gift to our hostess. After she opened it; I snuck it off to my room to read at night.It distinguishes itself by being the first cookbook that I have read cover to cover.It read like a novel. We spent the rest of our stay making many of the dishes.Our favorite was the whole fish wrapped in herbs for Christmas Eve...it was extraordinary.My daughter and I have made several of the sweet things together like the heavenly fragrant geranium ice cream and the lavander and cardamom cookies.Everything we have made has turned out delicious.
Great ideas--delicious food
Lovely ideas, encouraging, and full of do-able advice.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Dinners and dining    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Entertaining - Party Planning    8. Menus    9. Tablesetting    10. Cooking / Entertaining    11. General cookery   

Editorial Review

Avowed Martha Stewart fans--and the rest of us, too--have cause to applaud. Read more

Reviews (33)

Mixed Results from Recipes
I have had mixed results from this cookbook. Fruitcake Lovers Unite!
I love fruitcake and I have sampled so many recipes that my friends call me Dr. Fruitcake! Martha Stewart's recipe is the greatest! It's more than just fruit and nuts loaded with rum. It has body, and character. No holiday table should be without this recipe and several others featured in this fine book. This Is Not Very Good Cookbook- Too Hard
I prefer the How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking, Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook, The Low-Carb Comfort Food Cookbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. General    6. Reference    7. Tablesetting    8. Cooking / General    9. General cookery   

Editorial Review

With more than 1,600 recipes,there's something for every palate in this handsomely-designed and sturdy cookbook by the author of 11 best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening and home improvement. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Not much of a cookbook
Like other reviewers, I agree: the recipes are definitely "hit or miss."Don't rely on recipes from this book to impress (although they certainly "sound" impressive).
I LOVE IT!!
This is a GREAT cookbook - maybe the reviews about wrong recipes are right, but I have made quite a few and they're all absolutely delicious.
A Complete Waste
Did anyone bother to check any of the recipes in this book? I think not. Not only are some of the ingredients difficult to get a hold of, the end product is a disaster. How difficult is it to compile recipes that have actually been made? Not very. But apparently it's much easier to just make them up. Like many have posted here, it is not the occasional recipe but a substantial proportion of them. I think Martha owes us all a hefty refund, if not for the time, money and effort wasted, as least for the book! For now, this one goes in the fire kindling pile. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. General    7. Cooking / General    8. General cookery   

Reviews (1)

All the charm of a Christmas holiday on Nantucket!
As a ardent fan of Nantucket "style" and history, I can't be more delighted that the author has compiled a book devoted to the charms of a Nantucket Christmas! The copy and beautiful color photographs share all the beauty and uniqueness of the special holiday season on this "faraway" isle. In addition to sharing the special ambiance that is Nantucket, creative ideas abound in this book for bringing a bit of a Nantucket holiday to your own home. Thank you, Leslie Linsley, for a book I will treasure for many years to come!!
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Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Christmas    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Decorating    7. Entertaining - General    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Holidays (non religious)    10. Holidays - Christmas    11. Massachusetts    12. Nantucket    13. Nantucket (Mass.)    14. Religion - Christian Life    15. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (5)

Rucker's Best Yet!!
Allen Rucker continues to have a handle on brilliant and entertaining writing.The recipes are fabulous, the pictures are tops - but the sidebar stories and historical/background info is interesting and captivating!Rucker is the author to follow - he brings humor and down-to-earth thoughts to his work!

Authentic Italian food +
This cookbook actually is full of really good recipes plus if you love the Sopranos you will love the pictures and stories.It also has a few decorating tips for the holidays as well as menus for all occasions.

Do not buy this for a cookbook....
You will be disappointed if you buy this book for a cookbook. It does contain some great recipes but few of them. The photographs are great! The book is about the Soprano family and how they entertain. It is written as if the Sopranos were a real family and is funny at times. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, Italian    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - General    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Italian Cookery    8. Parties    9. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    10. Tablesetting    11. Cooking / Italian    12. General cookery    13. Italy   

Reviews (3)

"Emily Post Etiquette " - A Valuable Companion
This 17th edition in hardback is excellent.I have constantly referred to it since its arrival here in Bundanoon, Australia (Down Under)and have already had favourable results from its usage.I have consequently recommended it to several members of my family and my friends.

"Emily Post Entertaining" -Everything you need to know
This was so good I immediately passed it over to my granddaughter as a gift and made plans to buy more copies for friends and relatives.I found it suitably covered all occasions for entertainment including St. Patrick's Day.Bravo!!

An Informative, Non-Stuffy Etiquette Resource
I purchased this to serve as a guide for my first-ever party in my new-ish apartment.What a great resource!Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Entertaining    3. Entertaining - General    4. Etiquette    5. Reference    6. Cooking / Entertaining    7. Etiquette & entertaining   

Editorial Review

Can it be that there are no bad cooks in Italy and Sicily? Or maybe there are only a few really good cooks, while the rest aren't so much mediocre as simply ordinary. But it's the children of the really good cooks who end up on TV cooking shows and in magazines and writing cookbooks, much like Read more

Reviews (5)

In 2 years, I haven't moved past the Pasta chapter!
I love to cook, and my family loves to eat, but we don't always have time for that!Nick Stellino has a wonderful repertoire of quick pasta dishes, for which we usually have the ingredients on hand(or can come close enough).These aren't your typical spaghetti and meatballs pastas, but interesting, exciting, alternatives that my whole family enjoys (I have 4 kids from 8 to 15).I can't live without this book, and his others!

Fantastico!
After watching Nick's program on PBS, I was dying to try some of these mouth-watering recipies.Fortunately, this book is a gift that keeps on giving!Some of the recipies require more preparation time, but they are very simple and easy to follow.So far, I have yet to try a bad recipie.Some of the combinations of ingredients are very unique, but haveincredible bursts of flavors.It is a must-have for those who love Italian and Sicilian cooking!

Nick Stellino's Family Kitchen
I just seen Nick at a recent cooking demo and he explained that when he wanted to write this book he spoke with his publisher and said that if he could have "full say" in this book he would do it for half thegoing rate! He was that passionate about every aspect of this book. Therecipes are simple and wonderful, the stories are heartwarming. NickStellino... great chef, even greater person. Grazie molto Nick!Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, Italian    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Italian cooking    5. Menus    6. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    7. Cooking / Entertaining