Classic Party Fare Cookbook

Rating:
Summary: Good range of recipes
Review: I have borrowed this book so many times from my sister-in-law that I finally bought my own copy. While there are certainly recipes here that are more complicated, there are plenty that are easy, can be prepared several days before the party, and always get rave reviews from party guests. Plus the author gives good tips for us non-professionals about figuring quantities for parties, how to store the foods properly (so you can indeed prepare items in advance), suggestions on displaying each dish attractively, etc. The book not only includes pictures showing what the final dish should look like, but also has a whole chapter at the end on techniques for things like dealing with chocolate, pastry, pizza dough, and more--complete with pictures. Regarding the other reviewers' concerns about these recipes being too complicated for a non-professional, I think this book can help a non-professional put on a party that looks like it was catered, you just have to keep 2 things in mind as you plan your party & develop the menu: 1) Choose your recipes carefully, with most recipes requiring minimal preparation and only 1 or 2 requiring more labor, plus make sure that most of your recipes can be prepared a day or more ahead and only 1 or 2 that must be done right before the party. 2) It's always safer & less stressful if you test any recipe in advance rather than experimenting when the pressure is on.

Rating:
Summary: Not for non-professionals
Review: This book has wonderful photos; the food is dazzling and beautifully presented, but the execution is something else again. If you don't have at least some training, and (most importantly) don't have a slew of helpers, you would be well-advised to steer clear of actually attempting to make this stuff. The work involved will make you too tired to enjoy your own party.

Yes, you can make some things ahead and freeze them--but even then, it's hard for some of us to devote an entire weekend (or even an entire day) to cooking. The recipes I tried were both labor-intensive and very time-consuming. I picked up some great ideas for arranging prepared foods and fruit and veggie trays, and I will still enjoy this book as a reference for presenting food, but I doubt if I'll attempt to cook from it again. Whew!

Rating:
Summary: The book is gorgeous!
Review: This is one of my favorite books to look at. The pictures are incredible and I have made a few of the appetizers which were fabulous. But as the other review said, most recipes require more knowledge than I have and I try never to make anything too close to guests arriving at my house...too much room to screw up. I think the book is great and I'm glad I own it but for the average person looking for easy-to-do recipes, this book isn't for her.