Customer Reviews

Bite By Bite: 100 Stylish Little Plates You Can Make for Any Party

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

So here's the deal. I read the reviews, purchased it anyway. The photos are really nicely done and I wish every cookbook had pictures like this. The problem is (which other reviews have stated) is the dishes etc. shown are exclusively made for this guy - the normal person can't just go replicate it. Yes there are plenty of websites where you can purchase the tasting dishes and I have a lot of them, but for me - I would never make my own tiny bread to make a tiny sandwich - it's cost/time prohibative if you are a hostess who wants to spend time at her party rather than in the kitchen whipping this stuff up so it will be hot and tasty.

This book is tiny food porn for me and probably nothing more. The tiny spoon cookie cutters do not exist in the world, I've googled them everywhere. I did find a cool idea to just use pliers and bend an old bell into a spoon shape so you'll need to be creative. It has inspired a couple of more realistic ideas for me but unless you have a staff of 15 prep chefs to help you dice these tiny ideas it just isn't really practical for the regular person - even one wanting to have a tasting party.

I wanted to love this book and I do but unfortunately just for the pictures and a little inspiration - most of the recipes would need to be hot to be delicious and how can you make enough even for a small dinner party without spending 3 days prepping.

If you are practical foodie looking for great easy ideas for a tasting party this probably isn't your book. I think in this case I'm going to have to go TO the bookstore, look through what would work for me and then order.

This was a waste of money for me and it breaks my heart to say that.

I was really excited about this collection of recipes as I often entertain "tapas" style. The pictures are great and so are the offerings. The problem is that the recipes are not for those with little time. The a is all from scratch as are most of the ingredients. I really don't want to spend that much time on each appetizer. For those who are dedicated to cooking however, this is a good book.

I own a catering company and I ordered this book because catersource recommended it, now I am not in love with all the recipes but it definitely gave me a lot of great ideas and resources totally worth the cash! :D

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Bite by Bite" and I found Peter's passion, creativity and personal story to be very inspiring.

LOVE PETER CALLAHAN! I'm so excited to finally get my hands on some of Peter's incredible recipes! After he catered our wedding 12 years ago, I always knew we'd see a cookbook from him. Long overdue! He's just too creative to stay a secret forever. We were noshing on his mini hot dogs, bite sized burgers and tiny grilled cheese (with little tomato soups) long before this craze hit the restaurant biz. Now it's all over but we know where it started and are so jazzed to say we worked with the man who made it happen. The book doesn't disappoint, it's got some kickin' photos of appetizers that made us want to try them right away. We're not huge cooks in this house but we just had to see if we could do it. The only recipes we've made so far are the spaghetti and meatballs and baked beans, they rocked our crew at today's football party. next time, we're going to try the little caprese salad pockets. At some point, we're going to try our hand at that cotton candy! or,maybe we'll just call Peter and get him to cook for us. Yay Peter!

I like that Mr Callahan instructs readers to use store-bought available items like pizza dough. Making your own popsicle molds, however is different. I wanted to make the fudgesicles from the book and I read the recipe where it says "Pour the mixture into a mini popsicle mold". My search for "mini popsicle mold" on Amazon.com only came up with ones designed for teething babies, and nothing on the rest of the web looks like it will produce anything like the picture in this book. A friend of mine called his catering company to ask where to get the molds to make mini fudgesicles, and she was told that essentially "we don't share that type of information."

A cookbook is meant to show the reader how to make something, so why would he include 2 recipes (fudgesicle and limoncello popsicle) that call for equipment that one can't get anyhere? Grant Achatz's book doesn't have any recipes that say "add the mix to your volcano vaporizer" or "insert the lamb shanks into a pot with a thermocirculator". But if he did, they would at least be available. Volcano Digital Vaporizer + Solid Valve Set + Travel Case + Bonus Grinder

Thermo Scientific Haake Open-Bath Circulators; Circulating Bath, Model C10-w19b, Capacity: 19L

I must admit, I have been a Peter Callahan fan for quite some time. I was first introduced to his work in an old issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. His tiny Cheeseburgers, Lobster rolls, etc... Everything was done in miniature form. I used this concept and idea to form new innovating offerings for my new founded catering business. I love to make everything from Scratch, including my own butter, mayonnaise, etc... so last season on The Martha Stewart Show- now on Hallmark Channel, when Peter was on to talk about the spread he did for Martha's Nephews wedding, and this book, obviously not yet released at the time, was brought up I couldn't wait for the book to come out. So I added this book to my cart the day i heard about it months before it release and pre-ordered it, so i could be the first to purchase this book...(BTW: the old cover with Peter on it, was better than the new one with meatballs... just saying...)

But the point here is, Trust me I really wanted this book!

Now imagine my dismay when I first cracked the book and the first recipe features and I quote 1 14-ounce "store bought pizza dough", 1/2 cup "store bought marinara sauce" turn the page... mini pitas from Trader Joes? in fact through out this book its store bought this, canned chicken stock that...Now admittedly, I may take the "made from scratch"-thing a bit further than most, but now post FOOD INC, I believe people care more about whats in their food, and where it comes from and that its been processed hopefully as little as possible...

Don't get me wrong the book's presentation of each offering is simply amazing. However, the items used to serve and or plate each dish are things you can't just go and buy anywhere... they' re things Peter and his company makes for him and him only, mini domes, mini patron bottles... no one else can just get this stuff on line or at Sur la Table!

A NOTE TO PETER IF YOUR READING: Peter please don't get me wrong I think your an amazing innovator. I would love the opportunity to meet you someday, It's seriously my goal. But with this book, I was disappointed. I think perhaps you aimed to make your concept appeal to Suzy Homemakers and everyday hobbyists but failed to display your gift 100%. I'm glad you left the busy financial NYC markets to begin a catering company. You above anyone else, are my biggest role model, you have taught me so many wonderful things about food and presentation, and for that I thank you.

Being able to work with Peter on some of his events. we feel back with him with the book.The recipes we used at the functions are the same in the book.It's a pleasure to find recipes that work.We do a lot of scratch cooking but with his tips it can be less time consuming without sacrificing quality. His presentations are impeccable but with some creative thought can be duplicated without some of his "Toys".A great book,cover to cover.A must at any level of the cullinary field.In one word "SUPER".

I got the book a few days ago and I straight fell in love with it! I tried the Lollipops and they're just as awesome as the mini hotdogs. I bought this book to get inspired for a up coming party and I am already amazed how easy it is. The Cranberry-tini is refreshing and tastefully though. I'm looking forward to try more of those recipes during the next days. This book is really recommendable for everyone who loves to take care about the little things of life.

This is the book written by the master of catering. Peter Callahan set the standard for modern, innovative party fare and presentation. I think this book was long overdue and is a must-have for anyone who entertains.