Williams Sonoma Complete Entertaining Cookbook

This opulent collection of fine recipes and impressive menu ideas is a collaboration between esteemed food writer Joyce Goldstein and Chuck Williams, the founder of the Williams-Sonoma kitchen stores. Their collective culinary know-how pays off in a big way--not only do their dishes look stunning on paper but they are also recipes that can be prepared with relative ease in the home kitchen.

Twenty-six set menus form the heart of the book, ranging from an Al Fresco Lunch to a Heritage Christmas Dinner. Each menu, whether for an informal soiree or a black-tie cocktail party, is accompanied by beverage ideas and inspiration for decorating the table. Stunning full-color photographs and easy-to-follow, step-by-step cooking instructions take the trepidation out of preparing these scrumptious foods. The closing chapter, "Elements of Entertaining," is particularly useful for new hosts. Here are basic instructions on how to fold fancy napkins, arrange cutlery, and make simple pie crusts.

The Williams-Sonoma Complete Entertaining Cookbook is an essential kitchen companion, a book that will make any dinner party go off with a brilliant bang. --Naomi Gesinger