Cooking Class: A Step by Step Guide to Stress Free Dinner Parties That Are Simply Elegant [Hardcover]

Carol Dearth (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Fork in the Road Publishers (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974082503
• ISBN-13: 978-0974082509
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,999,895 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make Room For This Book, October 10, 2003

By 

Gwen Walters (Scottsdale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cooking Class: A Step by Step Guide to Stress Free Dinner Parties That Are Simply Elegant (Hardcover)

I'm always looking for a great cookbook to add to my 350+ collection. This book is good enough for me to give up one to find a place for it on my shelf.

This hard cover book (180 pages, gorgeous color photographs) is more than just glossy pictures and scrumptious recipes. The beginning of the book is a planning section, including a section on "Master Dinner Party Plan" which outlines in chronological order the art of putting together a successful dinner party.

The rest of the book is divided into the four seasons, with four menus per season, enough to host a dinner party every week of the year. In addition to the menus, the author provides a "Cook's Master Work Plan" for each menu, guiding you through how and when to execute each recipe.

Sprinkled among the recipes, which by the way, are clear and concise, are technique descriptions, mini-cooking class lessons (like trussing a chicken), timesaver tips, ingredient definitions and garnishing tips. The book is filled with all the information you need to create beautiful dinner parties home (with no stress, and time for you to be with your guests).

The last chapter is called Show-offs!! and is filled with everything from how to garnish and present food, to adding special touches like compound butters, to dessert sauces and fruit purees, adding flair to your meals. The author even shows how to fold napkins, create a perfect flowing buffet table and a bit about pairing food and wine.

This is a one-stop book for your next dinner party. It's like having an experienced teacher in the kitchen with you as you prepare for your party -- no wonder she named the book Cooking Class.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious recipes and great explanations, October 20, 2003

By 

Ann Parrish (Charlottesville, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cooking Class: A Step by Step Guide to Stress Free Dinner Parties That Are Simply Elegant (Hardcover)

I have made several of Carol's recipes and they were easy to make and oh so delicious--especially the Molten Chocolate Cakes! Yum!!

Carol's sidebars are very imformative. Her explanations make so much sense and are therefore easy to remember.

This book makes entertaining easy and less stressful because Carol takes you by the hand and guides you all the way through. I would recommend Cooking Class to anyone who enjoys cooking.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where was this book when I needed it?, October 16, 2003

By 

Christine L. Fellin (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cooking Class: A Step by Step Guide to Stress Free Dinner Parties That Are Simply Elegant (Hardcover)

For years, I was involved with a lot entertaining; preparing for dinner parties, luncheons, and other events. If I would have had Carol's book then, well..my life would have been so much easier! This is the book for all who may be in the same situation. Or, who just love to cook and entertain. Or, who may be nervous about trying. There's nothing more you need to put together a wonderful dinner party than Carol's "Cooking Class". Just buy the ingredients and you are ready to go. This book will be the most perfect gift for all those on my Christmas list who love to cook, and even those who don't! After reading it, they will change their minds and be ready to tackle any recipe with confidence! It's a cooking class in print!