Entertaining 101

This book is great! I have already made 3 of the menus and it was incredible each time. The book tells you everything from what type of wine, how to set the table and most importantly, what you can make ahead and how to have everything ready at the same time. For once I was drinking wine with my husband, waiting for the guests instead of rushing around at the last minute. Did I mention the meals are incredible?

In "Entertaining 101," the authors present recipes for a whole meal: appetizer, wines, entree, and dessert, so you don't have to bother figuring out what goes with what! They are themed for the holidays, and turn out tasting delicious and looking great! I have very little cooking experience, but their directions are easy to follow and very clear. Also, their food is healthy and fat-conscious without being bland or boring. This book is fantastic!

This book is an entertainers dream come true. No more backbreaking work, no more sore feet, and above all, no more feeling like I'm going to fall asleep during the party. Why does entertaining have to be so exhausting? There is no need to spend 8 hours in the kitchen getting ready for your guests to spend 3 hours enjoying. Why not just spend one hour, and enjoy yourself? This is the book for you! The recipes are easy, quick and excellent. With 52 different menus to choose from, you're set for the entire year. I found myself wishing the summer away because some of the winter menus looked so great! Now all I need to do is figure out who to invite over and enjoy myself.

Kudos to the authors who put together menus for real people. This book is sincere in its aim to be useful: not too many ingredients, advice on how to get it done ahead of time, enticing menus. One of my hobbies is reading cooking mags and books. This one is chock full of lots of ideas I will be able to use (not only for guest, but for my family too).

Entertaining 101 simplifiesby entertaining by making it entertaining enjoyable by emphasizing cooking skills and sophisitcated tastes. One can choose from 52 multicultural menus that are designed for entertaining but will leave the host or hostess with time to enjoy the party. Most menues can be prepared (in total) in less than 2 hours, and many of the menu items can be prepared a day or so before the feast. The book encourages potential hosts and hostesses to relax about entertaining and includes tips on how to minimize the work of preparing the table while preserving elegance. The authors have also included interviews with wine, cheese, and entertaining professionals to demystify the black arts of throwing a dinner party. A great gift for those of us that want to entertain friends and loved ones but just can't find the time. I found out about the book from a feature about it in the 11/5/97 Newark Star Ledger