Entertaining
See also: Appetizers
Party Food
Diane DeVantier
There are never enough books featuring nibbles to consume while standing talking and consuming a drink. This Australian book offers some solutions featuring toasts, dippers, sticks, canapes, tapas, morsels,and sweets. Amongst the amusing treats are countries ona stick eg. France on a stick features a square of Brie with caramelized onion and garlic crouton highlighted with French dressing! Colour photos. Hardcover, 159 pp. $28.99.
You're All Invited
Margot Henderson
Margot Henderson cooks for between 3 and 200 people every day and she uses her panache as a caterer, restaurateur, and family life to show you how. With 165 easy and delicious recipes for all occasions including ideas for breakfast that you can actually face making first thing in the morning, this book is forthright and refreshing. It's all you need to make every meal an occasion to remember! Hardcover, 319 pp. $39.00.
 Perfect Wedding Favors
Susannah Blake
Perfect Wedding Favors includes 28 recipes for adorable treats, all beautifully photographed to offer inspiring presentation ideas. Whatever your theme, budget, or personal taste you will find a wedding favor that is the perfect way to say 'thank you' on your big day. Hardcover, 63 pp. $19.95.
 Vintage Tea Party
Carolyn Caldicott
Ever wondered what it would be like to throw a vintage tea party? Dress up and dust the family tea service for an exciting event that would surely throw you back into the era of Eliza Doolittle or Queen Victoria. Take tea in the garden with seasonal jams and cucumber sandwiches or tea in the drawing room with bite sized delicasies and tiny treats. Let Carolyn and Chris Caldicott, former owners of the World Food Cafe in Covent Garden, whisk you away into an enchanting time of tea and waltzes. Hardcover, 127 pp.
 Supper Club
Kerstin Rodgers
If you are looking for an entertainment guide or a book with a wide array of recipes and tips and tricks of the restaurant trade, Supper Club is the book for you. This beautiful book has a collection of recipes from around the world and wonderful ideas for holding your own dinner parties or Elvis nights! Hardcover, 293 pp. $49.95.
 Eating Royally
Darren McGrady
Have you ever wondered what the Queen ate for dinner? Eating Royally allows us a look at the menus and favourite dishes of the Royal Family, with classic and elegant recipes, and great photography. Hardcover, 224 pp. $26.24.
 Martha's Entertaining
Martha Stewart
The Queen of Entertaining returns with her latest book on the do's and don'ts of hosting a party. From more casual, laid-back atmospheres, to chic and elegant affairs, Martha Stewart's passion and expertise in hospitality has not waned at all since the release of her first book on entertaining that she released so many years ago. Never be at a loss for party advice again! Read the full review on our blog. Hardcover, 432 pp. $75.00.
 Cocktails & Amuse-Bouches
Daniel Boulud & mixologist Xavier Herit
Chef Boulud will soon be our neighbour on the block as early as next year when the new Four Seasons Hotel opens with a Cafe Boulud ensconced inside. We're also hoping for a great bar for end of day drinks! Meantime.....this is a lovely boxed set, one book Cocktails for Her, one Cocktails for Him with recipes for little nibbles included in each book. Hardcover, 152 pp. $49.95.
 Will Cook For Sex
Rocky Fino
Do we have your attention guys? As Rocky Fino states "a way to a man's heart is through his zipper. The way to a woman's heart is through her stomach." Will Cook for Sex is the gameplan for any man who wants points with his lady. Get inspired to cook kingfish benedict for the morning after or mustang ranch quail for a weekend pass. Colour photos. Hardcover, 173 pp. $24.95.
 Hors d'Oeuvre at Home
Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute of America proves that classic, old-school and arguably out-dated French food is not their only area of expertise. This new volume from the not-for-profit school in Poughkeepsie inspires you to re-think the bland and generic finger food fare and spins classic flavors into new and exciting combinations and aesthetics. Hardcover, 216 pp. $35.99.
 Meals in Heels
Jennifer Joyce
For the woman eager to entertain with elegance. Recipes are geared toward the host who values company over working over the stove whilst guests mill around. Simple and easy-to-follow, eliminate pre-party dread for once and for all! Hardcover, 191 pp. $35.99.
 Fan Fare! from Best of Bridge
The ladies from Best of Bridge are at it again! Now with a new book highlighting the fan-favorites of their entire Best of Bridge repertoire! The 3-ring bindings allow the book to lie flat on the counter top whilst you whip up dozens of delectable recipes. Whether itÂ’s for a friendly game of cards, or simply a get-together with friends, Best of Bridge remains a go-to book for recipes to whip up on the fly. Hardcover, with hidden binder, $29.95.
 Bite by Bite
Peter Callahan
Tired of deviled eggs and cruditee platters when it comes to finger food at parties? Let Peter Callahan amp up your amuse bouche repertoire and hit refresh on whatever drab rotation of "the usuals" that's been on repeat for what seems like forever. Make your canapes the talk of the town with offerings such as Tuna Cheesesteaks and Bagel Profiteroles. Hardcover, 256 pp. $40.00.
Food & Wine Annual Cookbook 2011
Food & Wine Magazine
An annual occurance, the Food & Wine Cookbook combines the best recipes of the calendar year in one compact and incredibly informative volume. As always, recipes are tested multiple times for consistency and tips are provided by some of the best chefs in North America. Food & Wine draws upon many ethnicities, so you're bound to find a recipe you feel good about. Hardcover, 408 pp. $37.95.
 Entertaining At Home
Rachel Allen
As the nature and appreciation of food increases in society, so too must dinner party menus. Shrimp cocktail and mini spring rolls just don't cut it anymore in the growing food-savvy world we live in. Rachel Allen's latest book is geared towards updating your dinner party repertoire to a more lively and sprite disposition. Classic beans on toast is re-imagined with Tuscan seasonings for a lighter and more flavorful appetizer, while Beef Wellington is given an inspirational jump-start with a newer, more elegant presentation. Have fun updating your get-together repertoire and enjoy new dishes with friends and family. Hardcover, 351 pp. $43.95.
 How I Cook
Skye Gyngell
Skye Gyngell, head chef of Petersham Nurseries Cafe, brings you into her own home for traditional, simple cookery. Recipes are compiled as entire menus, based around such common occassions as Sunday Lunch, Breakfast, and the Weeknight Dinner. Fear no more about entertaining friends or family as Skye provides delectable and easy recipes that are sure to impress guests and convince them that you worked a lot harder than you actually did! Hardcover, 256 pp. $52.95.
 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.
Simple Art of Napkin Folding
Linda Hetzer
Now you too can fold a napkin to look like a fan, a bishop's hat,
an iris or a swan. The book also contains helpful hints on table
settings, stain removal and table accessories made with napkins.
So throw out those disgraceful paper things and start folding; it's
creative and fun! $14.95.
Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Ina Garten
Another Hampton's caterer/overachiever (Carter administration White
House budget analyst), Garten's recipes are rather retro in both
content and presentation - guacamole,
baked ham, chocolate layer cake - there is an undefinable appeal
to this book, sort of a Martha before she took over the world. Hard
cover, lots of colour photos. $53.00.
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