Sophisticated Entertaining: Spirited Food for Grown-Up Parties

I got this book recently as a gift. Entertaining books don't generally hold much interest for me, even though I am what would be considered a food professional. This book is great. Great enough for me to track it down on this site just to give it a plug. The entertaining ideas are fresh and very do-able without a full-time staff like those required by other gurus such as M. Stewart. I rarely cook using recipes but found some in this book so intriguing that i actually made them. I found them to be concisely written and delicious.In regards to a review below referencing someones bad luck with a brownie recipe, all i can say is that I had no problem with them and they were as beautiful as they were scrumptious. One can not expect to become a skilled cook by simply reading a book anymore than they could hope to become a skilled lover by simply reading the Joy of Sex. I have found Ms. Benedict's books to be passionate and resourceful. It has earned a place in my kitchen library.

Jeanne Benedict did a great job in giving ideas and tips on how to host a five star dinner party. I've used her ideas and they were simple projects that took little time and money. Jeanne is a class act, and I look forward to her next book.

I read about "Sophisticated Entertaining" in the special October 2001 entertaining issue of Bon Appetit Magazine and after buying the book all I wanted to do was host dinner parties with my friends. It is almost 400 pages of delicious food, easy and elegant recipes that look great just like the pictures on the front of the book! But the Bon Appetit review talked about gossamer potpourri place mats , floating petal candles, displays of rocks and flowers...the reviewer went on and on and at the end said "Okay, I'll stop". It sounded really exciting and that is the way this book makes me feel about entertaining.

I am a great cook, but a so-so entertainer, usually focus on the food, and mess up on the execution part. I found this book so helpful for my particular growth area, that I went back and got four more to send as Christmas presents. I used to dread potlucks, not wanting to bring the same old dish. I get the notices and attention I crave when I prepare the gem of a shrimp recipe in which you display the shrimp on a half head of cabbage. Since reading this book, I have come far, presentation wise.... Every home library should have a good basic recipe book, and them complement it with a fun, useful guide like this one.

Okay, so maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration...but not much! This is the quintessential cookbook on throwing a fabulous party, and when I say fabulous I am NOT just talking about elegant soirees and sit-down dinners; casual get-togethers are also covered in detail. Jeanne Benedict shares tips on everything from creating the perfect ambiance for your affair to making sure YOU get to enjoy your own occasion. Her incredibly well-written book is filled with wonderful personal anecdotes and sumptuous-sounding recipes that will delight even the most discriminating guest. And I should know - I am the daughter AND daughter-in-law of caterers! I am giving both of my "moms" a copy of this book for the holidays and I know both will find it as invaluable as I have!