Author Description

A Picnic in the Country. Dinner and a Movie. Cocktails at Five. A Family Reunion. Back-Yard Barbecue. These are the kinds of parties that define entertaining now, and they are the kinds of parties that fill the pages of this beautiful new book From Bon Appetit magazine. Gone are the days of formal, stuffy dinner parties that required weeks of planning and days of cooking. Today, entertaining is fun -- for both the guests and the hosts. It's casual, it's spontaneous, it's relaxed and it's easy. Getting together to share good food and good times -- that's what entertaining is all about. And everything you need to make those good times happen is right here in this lavishly illustrated creative entertaining ideas, stylish tablesetting tips, fuss-free menus and more than 200 irresistible recipes. Divided into two parts, the first half filled with 12 party menus as simple as "Dinner and a Movie" and as tantalizing as "South-of-the-Border Party," the second half a compilation of recipes that mix and match with those menus, this book is designed to guide you through the process of planning a party, selecting a menu and preparing the meal -- and make it easier than ever. A cocktail party for ten was never so easy. Bring together neighbors, colleagues and old friends. Mix up the drinks, and mix up the menu, too. From Grilled Chicken Skewers with Red Pepper Pesto to Pizza with Stilton and Caramelized Onions, this do-ahead spread is filled with cosmopolitan flavors. An after-work pizza party was never so Fun. Set out sauces and toppings some you've made ahead; others you've picked up at