Reviews (3)

EXCELLENT
Assists convention services and catering people with menus for clients without being too high end or gourmet.Great themes and ideas!

a reader from NY
A totaly great book for all caterers. Very inspiring!Has hundreds of menus you can adapt or use as an inspiration. wow did I get sucked in: total waste...
This book is applicable to anyone with tons of cash to spare on a party hosted in 1954.As a caterer, I was looking for inspiration, but sadly,only found jello and marshmallow themes pervasive throughout the entirebook.Not worth the paper it is printed on! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Caterers and catering    3. Cooking    4. Food Service Management    5. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    6. Management    7. Meetings    8. Menus    9. Methods - Professional    10. Planning    11. Tablesetting    12. Business & Economics / Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    13. Hotel & catering trades   

Reviews (1)

I LOVED THIS BOOK!
I bought this book to get some ideas for parties and crafts that my kids and I could make together.I will be making my own beautiful christmas cards and using some of the decorations on my holiday table.We also found some fun ornaments that we could make together as a family. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Holiday    2. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Seasonal    5. Christmas crafts    6. Christmas decorations    7. Cooking    8. Crafts & Hobbies    9. Holiday   

Reviews (4)

A great book from ATK 2006!
I have recently become an enthusiast of America's Test Kitchen and watch the show on a regular basis.The material is not 100% brand spanking new but meant to be a companion to what is done on TV, specifically the 2006 series (no not 2003 like one reviewer wrote).
Makes me feel like a chef on TV
I made the "Pan-Seared Oven-Roasted Pork Tenderloin" with the Cherry Port Sauce.I impressed myself with my gourmet results.I even have tried the Cherry Port Sauce on some venison and the results were great.
Repeats
As in most books from Cooksillustrated recipes already appeared in their other publications - nothing new! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - General    5. Entertaining - General    6. Holiday - General    7. Methods - General   

Reviews (1)

A must-have book for every chef
This book has everything going for it. It's one of the best cookbooks I've ever seen. The whole "Best of Gourmet" series is great, but this is one of my favorites. Do not let the year (1992) deter you, because this book has stood the test of time beautifully, and if the date wasn't printed on it you'd never know. It is chock full of beautiful pictures, entire menus, and recipies for everyone from the novice cook to the gourmand chef. The recipies are easy to follow, delicious, and beautiful. When I don't feel like cooking, I even just enjoy flipping through and enjoying the photos - they're THAT good! Every serious chef should have this incredible book. ... Read more

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

Reviews (3)

The Natural Gourmet
As the sbtitle says, "delicious recipes for Healthy,BALANCED eating". Recpes are keyed to the Five Phase Theory of eating.

This Book has the Best Tasting Wheat-Free Pumpkin Pie Recipe
This is a great cookbook.The pumkin pie crust is wheat free and it tastes great.It's always a hit at the holidays, and the pumkin pie part of the recipe is dairy free, this recipe is so nutritious that you can eat it anytime.The entire book has some great solutions.And if you are in NYC you should try to take a class at Ann Marie's Cooking School.

Very useful
This is a great follow-up to The Book of Whole Meals, because the food gets more creative. The first part of the book explains how to balance meals using the Chinese 5-Element system, which really helps in overcoming cravings for junk foods. They also label the recipes so you can figure out how to fit them into the system. I have to admit I've mainly used the book for this purpose. For the recipes, I adjusted them to suit my own taste, and found them satisfying. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Health & Healing - General    4. Methods - Gourmet    5. Specific Ingredients - Natural Foods    6. Cooking / Health   

Reviews (10)

A culinary wealth of many other delectable delicacies
A winner of the James Beard Foundation KitchenAid Book Awards, Savor The Moment: Entertaining Without Reservations is the collaborative effort by members of The Junior League of Boca Raton and a simply glorious guide to hosting a classy gathering, and featuring amazing, kitchen-tested recipes, advice for creating an enjoyable atmosphere, stunning color photographs, and more. Explicit instructions (with side advice for preparations that can be made in advance), make creating mouth-watering dishes such as Filet Mignon with Shallot Sauce; Tropical Island Shrimp; Caramel Drenched Cheesecake, and a culinary wealth of many other delectable delicacies, kitchen and dining room tasks easily within the means of any dedicated host or hostess.

Savor Your Guests
I love this cookbook. Because not only is it about cooking, but about entertaining as well. There are great menu suggestions and even decorating tips on making the occasion more enjoyable. For what it's worth..
A nice book but I would have liked it alot more if more of theRead more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, American    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Regional & Ethnic - American - Southern States    7. Cookbooks    8. Cookery   

Reviews (5)

Really Good!
The book is a good book in the sense of what the subject is:drinks for the preps.There was mention of what to "wear" and such, but it didn't get into that, look for other sources like the Preppy Handbook for that.Otherwise, a really good book, fun to read, recipes, and a great sense of humor!You can tell that the authors had fun writing this book.

Preppy memories, anyone?
To really appreciate a book about preppy drinking in the 80s, you had to have been a preppy drinker in the 80s!Reading TIM brought me right back to the days of drinking Tab & rum while pulling all-nighters in prep school and college...This is a PERFECT gift for a fellow preppy friend =D.

Booze for Blueboods
Most of this book is funny and dead-on accurate, however the appendixes on movies, music, and especially books were complete drivel.The excerpts from prep school brochures were a nice touch if somewhat random."Tipsy" is a good intro to drinking even if you're no fan of preppiness.Also, it makes a great companion to Lisa Birnbach's peerless "Official Preppy Handbook", which touched on alcohol but didn't go into the detail of "Tipsy". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beverages - Bartending    2. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    3. Cocktails    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Entertaining - General    7. Cooking / General   

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Methods - General    5. Methods - Quick & Easy    6. Tablesetting    7. Cooking / Quick & Easy   

Reviews (2)

Good Morning
This book is a treat.Not only are the recipes concise, easy to make and taste great but, Ms, Fox is very funny.It's hard not to make a recipe when you laugh at loud at the comments she makes.This is a book anyone can use to make the best start on any day. The chicken mango quesidillas are a favorite. I highly recommend it .

This Cookbook of the Year Makes Holiday Gift Giving Easy & Breakfast Delicious
I love this book! I found the recipes fantastic, easy to use, inspirational and requiring a variety of widely available ingredients in combinations that result in incredible and delicious dishes. I was motivated to use the recipes, and felt completely competent doing so! I am eternally grateful that Fox's definition of morning food includes black bean chili, blintzes, quesadillas and coffee cake! I'm not a morning person, but I love Morning Food. Fox's directions are easy to follow and her comments very funny. What a find! It will be a staple of my holiday gift giving. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - Breakfast    5. Courses & Dishes - Brunch    6. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (7)

Good things do come in small packages
Lots of easy, great recipes. If for no other reason, you should buy this book just for the basic english muffin recipe and scone recipes.

The Best Resource for Tradition as well as Recipes!
A friend and I have recently begun taking tea and we love the true British and Victorian style of tea houses.I wanted to find a book for her that was a great resource on the history of afternoon and high tea as well as providing some recipes to go along with the information.This was the best book I found.No other goes into as much detail about the history of tea that this book does.The only downfall is that the only illustrations in the book are line drawings.There are no photos.Still, that didn't keep me from picking this book over several others that did have nice pictures, because in the end, the content of this book superceded any other.

Best of 4
I've recently bought 4 different tea books and this is the best one I have so far.There are a lot of the expected recipes for traditional tea time fare, with some minor omissions I felt.The print left something to be desired, some of it was blurred, but if you just want to buy 1 English tea book, this is it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Afternoon teas    2. Beverages - Coffee & Tea    3. Cookery, English    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Courses & Dishes - Brunch    7. Entertaining - Tea Time    8. Regional & Ethnic - English, Scottish & Welsh    9. Tea    10. Cooking / Coffee & Tea   

Reviews (1)

A definate Must Buy for Christmas Crafters!
SOOO creative~!!It's worth buying just to see the section on Whimsical Christmas.The homemade gifts, complete with instructions on how to make ADORABLE giftwrap is easy and unique enough to look professionally made.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    6. Holiday - General    7. Seasonal   

Reviews (26)

I really, really wanted to like this book...but...
I was disappointed.
Geared to the home cook emphasis on fresh ingredients
To put this review into perspective for you it is written by someone that has been cooking for 25 years, and concentrating on Italian cooking for the last 10 years.My favorite cookbook is "The Professional Chef" from the Culinary Institute of America.I would definitely consider myself a foodie.
Relaxed in the kitchen
I have made a lot of delicious but simple recipes from this book. It was the first Nigella's I got. But when will the DVDs, available in the UK, become available here? I saw her serie "Forever Summer" on BBC-America a while back and it is absolutely fabulous to watch. She has a way of measuring and using her hands that make actual preparation of a recipe a pleasure rather than the uncreative and impersonal chore of measuring "exact" tsp and 1/4 tspn. Being French I am used to a "pinch" of this, a "small glass" of wine, in other words using your judgement and "make it your own". Nigella makes being in the kitchen fun, but you really only get that by watching her. I don't really love cooking after all these years... but watching her do it her way inspires me. What can I say? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. General    5. Seasonal    6. Cooking / American / General   

Reviews (13)

Excellent Book
I was impressed by this book.I struggle with casseroles, but long workdays necessitate the need for me to master them.If you are familiar with Cook's Illustrated, there's nothing new here in terms of format.I do applaud them for approaching casseroles in a new way by including one-pot meals, slow-cooker meals, skillet versions and more exotic casseroles.
a great cookbook!
I love that the authors did multiple tests on every recipe to come up with the best final version AND told us why, what went wrong and the reason for each process.
A Rare Disappointment from the Cooks Illustrated Series
I usually rave about Cooks Illustrated books because they are the best all-around cookbooks out there, but I have to rant a little about this one.The idea behind Cover and Bake is to improve on classic casseroles by getting rid of sub-par ingredients like cream of mushroom soup and pre-packaged bread crumbs, and simplifying cooking procedures so as to allow as much one-pot cooking as possible.The people at Cooks Illustrated make a lot of references to "Tuesday night dishes," i.e., main courses that can be prepared, cooked and served quickly and don't result in a lot of clean-up.
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Subjects:  1. Casserole cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - General    5. Entertaining - Party Planning    6. Holiday - General    7. Methods - Baking    8. Methods - Quantity    9. One-dish meals    10. Main courses   

Reviews (4)

Incredible recipies
This is one of my favorite cookbooks, it contains many of my favorite deserts such as the Italian cream cake ,Coconut-Chocolate-Almond Cheesecake,Chocolate Truffle Cake,etc.. I also love the fact that the author included lots of color photos giving visual cooks like myself an idea of what the finished product should look like. For those who are tired of making the same boring holiday meals,I would definitely encourage you to buy this cookbook.

So Living Christmas cookbook
Outstanding!A true 5 Starr book.It has been several years sine they have had a totally all Christmas cookbook and this one is great.

Christmas is Coming
Great Christmasideas for both family and entertaining.Lots of new ideas with easy to follow directions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    5. Holiday - General    6. Holidays - Christmas    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - Southern States   

Reviews (11)

Can't live without this book
This is the greatest slow cooker recipe book I've ever bought, and I've bought quite a few.I have 3 young children and a business so my time is valuable.I just "set it and forget it." The recipes are so easy to prepare.Most with ingredients you find in most kitchens.I ate over my brothers house and a friends house and found 1 thing in common.Great food.The recipes were both from the same cookbook.Thats when I knew I had to have it.We eat from this cookbook at least 2 times a week.

A timesaver for busy people
After years of a stored crockpot, I updated mine and have begun using it, once again.I've made a half dozen of the recipes in the Fix-It and Forget-It Recipes for Entertaining.My family enjoys them and my friends enjoy the "comfort" of homecooking.Being busy outside the home doesn't mean making dinner plans with friends a rare event.With the ease of preparing quick, easy meals with convenient ingredients, I'm delighted with this book.

Fix it-----You won't forget it!
I love this book, even more than the origianl Fix It and Forget It.The recipes are very easy to put together, and are family friendly.I can put these meals together in the morning before I leave for work and have a good meal ready when I get home.I have used some of these recipes to take to pot-lucks or when having family over.Although they do not make a grand, 12 course meal, thess recipes are perfectly acceptable for friends and family.As a homeschooling mom with three kids and a 30-hour-a-week job, this book has been a lifesaver!It keeps my husband from making pbj every night that I work!Well worth it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Electric cookery, Slow    4. Electric cooking    5. Entertaining    6. Entertaining - General    7. Methods - General    8. Methods - Special Appliances    9. Cooking / General   

Reviews (3)

Wonderful information for such a small purchase
I'm so happy this book was written particularly since I'm new to the catering business.I found this book to be extremely helpful.There's a huge amount of work that goes into just preparing to go into business for yourself as a caterer and this book did a wonderful job of providing website resources for further research as well as providing very useful tips.It's easy to read and understand.This is a great reference book and I'll be sure to look at it often.

Practical "real world" examples for maximizing profits
One of the newest additions to the Atlantic Publishing Group's outstanding "The Food Service Professional" series, The Food Service Professional Guide To Successful Catering: Managing The Catering Operation For Maximum Profit. Here revealed are 365 "insider secrets" showcasing everything necessary to launch a successful catering business; practical "real world" examples for maximizing profits; and clear, accessible instructions on how to sell, market, and operate a catering operation profitably no matter what part of the country it is located in. If you are considering your own catering company as an entrepreneurial small business, then give a close and careful reading to Sony Bode's The Food Service Professional Guide To Successful Catering: Managing The Catering Operation For Maximum Profit!

Great Book
Great Book! I Found These step-by-step guides easy-to-read, and easy to understand! The books are packed with information. They reminded me of "cliff Notes" from my college days.The information is comprehensive without the fluff you find in so many of the more expensive books out there on the subject. The books are also packed with resources such as phone numbers and the web sites of the companies they are discussing - there is no "theory" just great information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Caterers and catering    5. General    6. Management    7. Reference - General    8. Strategic Planning    9. Tablesetting    10. Catering   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (117)

Massive and masterful!
With over 1000 recipes, this cookbook is going to take some time to truly put through it's paces, but I've had great results with the few dishes I've tried so far.The Turkey Wraps with Chipotle Mayo rocked, with a gem of a condiment included - pickled red onion.I'd use that on any sandwich, anytime.The sauces for Halibut with Spicy Asian Vinaigrette (really a sambal vinaigrette) and Wasabi Cream were awesome.Veggie dishes like Asparagus with Shallot and sesame seeds add a special touch to everyday dinners.
It's not supposed to be The Joy of Cooking
I recently moved to Mexico, and as weight and customs tariffs limited my importation of books, I chose this cookbook to be my overall basic resource. I have been glad ever since that I left my "Joy" behind, along with my "Best of Cooks Illustrated" and the Childs volumes. Unlike B. Marold, I have not been disappointed by any of the recipes I've tried, and I've been delighted to find so many of them to be Latin or Caribbean themed, so that I can use the products most readily available here yet branch out from the usual Mexican fare. To complain that the omelet-making or brioche-making techniques are not what they would be in a teaching volume is to ask more of this compendium than what it is: the best recipes published in Gourmet Magazine, period. I find the sidebars useful and the unfortunate yellow titles a minor irritant. The index is excellent, which is not often the case with cookbooks. Everything for which I've needed a recipe I've found in one way or another through it. Try the Cuban Roast Pork Loin; the Avocado, Orange, and Jicama Salad; the Beets with Lime Butter! My only complaint is that several times I've proceeded with a recipe and added all of an ingredient only to discover that some of that ingredient was to be saved for a later step. I've since learned to read more carefully through a recipe before plunging in.

Great cookbook for ingredients you might actually have at home
I love this cookbook.It is exceptionally well indexed with so many recipes that I can invariably find one that fits the items in my refrigerator or pantry. The recipes are easy, even for an average cook.The preparation time listed for each recipe is right on target.For example, the fruit crumble really DOES take only 15 minutes (and tastes like something I would be happy to pay for at a restaurant) and the blender hollandaise really does work in a snap.It has become the cookbook I use 90% of the time.It's true it has no pictures, but given the choice between recipes and images, I would take the former any day. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cookery, International    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Methods - Gourmet    6. Reference    7. Cooking / Reference   

Reviews (8)

Just desserts
I have celiac disease, which is essentially an allergy to wheat protein, and I've been GF for 5 years now. (Why does that sound like I'm at an AA meeting?) Bette Hagman's books are the first couple of books that I got, and I still use them every day. "Dessert" is one of the best for the extra information it includes.
Recipes so good, even non-celiacs savor them!
I was recently given this book by my celiac mother-in-law, and I am so grateful.My sister and I are both celiacs, and desserts like cake and cookies have been missing from our lives for years. (I mean, REAL cakes and cookies that taste like their gluten-laiden counterparts.) From the very first recipe we tried- frosted macadamia nut bars (p.145) to my 25th birthday treat- whoopie pies (p.118), my entire family has devoured the outcomes. Including those who can eat wheat.This book explains evey detail about gluten-free flours, right down to thier protein contents, and how and why they work.This is an absolute must for anyone who wants to enter back into the realm of heavenly desserts, or anyone catering to their beloved celiac.Just be prepared to stock your shelves with a bunch of new flours, and you'll be on your way!

I love Bette
I recently made one of Bette's cakes from The Gluten-free gourmet makes dessert.It was so good that my wife (who is NOT a celiac) and I finished the whole cake in one sitting!Not all of the recipes will be to everyone's liking and some of the recipe proportions need tinkering.However, considering what's out there for celiac's to use this book is a life saver.The pumpkin cake is great and the danish is incredible.A must read for any celiac. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Desserts    4. Health & Healing - General    5. Health & Healing - Weight Control    6. Methods - Gourmet    7. Desserts    8. Health & wholefood cookery   

Reviews (5)

A good start, but...
I bought this book looking for something to pass along to employees and friends that dealt with food-styling and decoration.Specifically I was looking for tips on decorating steam tables and the food contained therein.
Disappointed
This book was very disappointing. If you are just starting out in the food service industry, then I guess this is okay for you; but if you are Veteran in the business, you probally already know how to arrange a table for presentation. This book also contained far too many recipe, perhaps it should be classified as a cook book. Definetly not worth the money!

Not especially helpful with garnishing
I agree with the other reviewer.While this is a lovely book, it was not what I was expecting or hoping for.I found it lacking in illustrations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Methods - General    4. Quantity Food Production And Service    5. Table setting and decoration    6. Tablesetting    7. Cooking / Culinary Arts & Techniques    8. General cookery    9. Hospitality industry   

Reviews (13)

A reader from Atlanta
I have just discovered this very charming book The Thanksgiving Ceremony.In these extraordinary times "new traditions for America's Family Feast" is a glowing jewel.I am reminded that "it" is not about polished silver, starched linens, the right amount of sage in the stuffing, the side dishes, desserts or wine selections, who gets to carve, and whether or not you-know-who will embarrass everyone."It" is about our past and our future, fellowship, commitment, joy, perseverance and progress.And about faithful thanksgiving - every day.
THE GREAT AMERICAN TRADITION
In many ways, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.Even though retailers are now jumpstarting Christmas even before Halloween, Thanksgving is still the true kickoff to the Holiday season.
Afocused, dignified andmeaningful Thanksgiving
Celebrated New York Times columnist William Safire, in his foreward to Edward Bleier' "The Thanksgiving Ceremony" Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Customs & Traditions    3. Entertaining - General    4. Manners And Customs    5. Seasonal    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Thanksgiving Day    9. Social Science / Customs & Traditions