With my busy schedule, I dont have the luxury to test new dishes before I entertain. I know I can always count on recipes from Bon Appetit cookbooks and this one is no exception. This book is not only a cookbook but a menu planner and resource guide. Last weekend I had 10 people over and served the following from the book: spicy shrimp in snow peas, deviled eggs with smoked salmon and green onions, spinach bacon spirals, and layered enchilada casserole. All got rave reviews. In the fall I used dishes from the barbecue menu. This book gives menus and planning tips for a number of entertaining ideas--from Saturday potluck to help yourself brunch to drinks and eats.

I highly recommend this book--get it anyway you can. But you can't have mine.....

This cookbook really does make entertaining easy. Not only does it offer delicious recipes that we've come to expect from Bon Appetit but it organizes them in such a way that your menu and time easily managed.

There are three sections which are themed around a particular type of event: Occasions, Instant Entertaining, and Get-Togethers. Within each section, there are menus for specific functions (Celebration Dinner, Elegant Shower, Romantic Dinner, Kid's Birthday Party, Big Anniversary, Potluck Housewarming Party, etc . . .)

The feature I like the most is the timeline for each function's menus. For example, for the Kid's Birthday Party, send out invitations, shop for nonperishable food items and paper goods, decorations, and candles three weeks ahead. Two weeks ahead, bake and freeze cake layers for birthday cake, etc . . . .

One other item to mention is there are pictures of every recipe (something I find very useful).

I recommend this book wholeheartedly. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.