To benefit America’s leading center for the research and treatment of all types of cancer, here is a cookbook with a cause par excellence. The members of The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center are some of the most celebrated partygivers in New York City’s fundraising world. Now the ladies of the society have opened up their private recipe files to present foolproof dishes that will turn any event–whether a cocktail party for sixty or a comforting family meal–into the talk of the town. Edited by acclaimed food writer Florence Fabricant, Park Avenue Potluck is filled with such recipes as Cheddar Chutney Croustades, Baked Spinach Risotto, Cider Roasted Pork Tenderloin, and Bermuda Banana Bread Pudding. This unprecedented peek into the dining rooms of Gotham’s poshest addresses offers up advice on entertaining in true New York style. Among the boldface names contributing are Coco Kopelman, Muffie Potter Aston, Nicole Limbocker, Daisy Soros, Patsy Warner, Alexis Waller, and Katie Colgate. Humorous anecdotes, insider tidbits, and party-planning advice from these grand dames make this the season’s choicest invitation.
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
"...a lovely collection of recipes from some of New York society's grandest dames." ~O, the Oprah Magazine
About the Author
Florence Fabricant is an experienced food writer who contributes regularly to the New York Times Dining pages. She is the author of eight cookbooks, including The New York Restaurant Cookbook. The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center works to ensure the well-being and comfort of patients, raises funds for cancer research and treatment, and educates the public about cancer.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is so beautifully designed and photographed that it honestly could do double duty as a coffee table book. Having said that, and at the risk of sounding snobbish, the only thing separating this cookbook from your local community junior league cookbook is that this book has much better photography and does not come spiral bound. So, buy it for its looks or for the good cause it supports, but chances are you already have most of these recipes lurking in your cookbook collection.
I purchased this (rather expensive) book expecting to find it filled with exclusive recipes for fancy dishes served by the Park Avenue elite, but instead I found it to contain very approachable, common recipes, many of which I was already familiar with. That is not to say that the recipes aren't good: they are. The lemon & dijon chicken, the Paris iced tea, "Mexican" chocolate cake with a boiled chocolate icing and the "Aunt Janet's" beef recipe all turned out beautifully.
Bottom line: this book is filled with recipes by and for home cooks, whether your home's address happens to be on Park avenue or not.
I purchased this (rather expensive) book expecting to find it filled with exclusive recipes for fancy dishes served by the Park Avenue elite, but instead I found it to contain very approachable, common recipes, many of which I was already familiar with. That is not to say that the recipes aren't good: they are. The lemon & dijon chicken, the Paris iced tea, "Mexican" chocolate cake with a boiled chocolate icing and the "Aunt Janet's" beef recipe all turned out beautifully.
Bottom line: this book is filled with recipes by and for home cooks, whether your home's address happens to be on Park avenue or not.
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I didn't expect to be impressed, but I really did enjoy it! It's for a good cause too.
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
When was the last time you saw "Park Avenue" and "potluck" in the same sentence?
July 26, 2008
Format:Hardcover
In the silver serving bowl on the cover of "Park Avenue Potluck", there's a....could that really be a casserole?
For that matter, when was the last time you saw "Park Avenue" and "potluck" in the same sentence?
Yes, the days of black tie dinners that begin with Rigaud candles in the hall and champagne in the living room are over. "Ladies who lunch" have pretty much died off. Fashion shows have lost their urgency. And thank you notes are starting to look a lot like e-mails.
Oh, one thing hasn't changed: the ultimate audience. "I design every menu according to what the men will eat," a hostess says. She's a smart one. The C-level husband labors all day to keep his family in a zillion dollar co-op and a country "cottage" --- if "New York's savviest hostesses" are going to make their men go to dinner parties, better believe they'll focus on their care and feeding.
So what we have here is a book of recipes that a Manhattan hostess could actually cook --- has, in fact, actually cooked. Like a local club cookbook. If you happen to live in a neighborhood where everyone's rich, accomplished and fit.
So (and this may be meaningful) only the drinks are exotic. Like "Pond Water" --- sugar, vodka, limoncello, lime juice and thyme. Not something you drink every day.
The soups here are simple and toothsome and, mostly, appallingly healthful. There are no fewer than 15 casseroles, including a mac-and-cheese punched up with dry mustard. Chicken with Potato Chips: there's a blue-collar concept. Nice recipe for cider-marinated pork loin from a Rockefeller. A pot roast recipe I don't know, but very much want to try. Applesauce with dark rum. And far too rich desserts.
Florence Fabricant, a world-class food writer, did this book as a labor of love --- it benefits Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. As a private cancer facility, it's the world's largest. As a cause, it's one of the most prestigious in New York. Good to see a fundraising tool that not only tempts the palate but suggests "New York's savviest hostesses" aren't all insufferable snootballs.
For that matter, when was the last time you saw "Park Avenue" and "potluck" in the same sentence?
Yes, the days of black tie dinners that begin with Rigaud candles in the hall and champagne in the living room are over. "Ladies who lunch" have pretty much died off. Fashion shows have lost their urgency. And thank you notes are starting to look a lot like e-mails.
Oh, one thing hasn't changed: the ultimate audience. "I design every menu according to what the men will eat," a hostess says. She's a smart one. The C-level husband labors all day to keep his family in a zillion dollar co-op and a country "cottage" --- if "New York's savviest hostesses" are going to make their men go to dinner parties, better believe they'll focus on their care and feeding.
So what we have here is a book of recipes that a Manhattan hostess could actually cook --- has, in fact, actually cooked. Like a local club cookbook. If you happen to live in a neighborhood where everyone's rich, accomplished and fit.
So (and this may be meaningful) only the drinks are exotic. Like "Pond Water" --- sugar, vodka, limoncello, lime juice and thyme. Not something you drink every day.
The soups here are simple and toothsome and, mostly, appallingly healthful. There are no fewer than 15 casseroles, including a mac-and-cheese punched up with dry mustard. Chicken with Potato Chips: there's a blue-collar concept. Nice recipe for cider-marinated pork loin from a Rockefeller. A pot roast recipe I don't know, but very much want to try. Applesauce with dark rum. And far too rich desserts.
Florence Fabricant, a world-class food writer, did this book as a labor of love --- it benefits Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. As a private cancer facility, it's the world's largest. As a cause, it's one of the most prestigious in New York. Good to see a fundraising tool that not only tempts the palate but suggests "New York's savviest hostesses" aren't all insufferable snootballs.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
My new favorite cookbook
I am not a big cook, but found the recipes here to be interesting, reasonably simple and, most importantly, delicious. The book is beautifully done and full of lovely photos. Read more
Published on November 12, 2009 by The Reluctant Chef
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book
excellent source for upgraded versions of the tried and true's. Such a nice book that my sister has already "borrowed" it. Very enjoyable
Published on August 3, 2009 by Judith A. Bauer
5.0 out of 5 stars
HOW EASY, AND APPOACHABLE
WHO NEW THAT THIS BOOK WOULD BE SO APPROACHABLE. I HESITATED TO PURCHASE THIS BOOK BECAUSE
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FULL OF UNKNOWN VEGETABLES, AND SPICES, THAT MY LOCAL GROCERY... Read more
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FULL OF UNKNOWN VEGETABLES, AND SPICES, THAT MY LOCAL GROCERY... Read more
Published on March 20, 2009 by LAUREN V.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I should have paid closer attention to the previous reviews. This book really doesn't contain anything special and had I been able to thumb through it in advance I likely would not... Read more
Published on February 18, 2009 by Carmen Mortenson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Nice Surprise
I bought the book mostly to look at once in awhile when I needed a break from feeding everyone mac 'n cheese and frozen pizza (hey - I'm a working mom, cut me some slack). Read more
Published on February 4, 2009 by Bekka
3.0 out of 5 stars
Little bit of a disappointment
I was slightly disappointed with this book. It's beautifully done, but in paging through it I only found a few recipes I'd use. I had bought these for gifts, sight unseen. Read more
Published on October 5, 2008 by minnie me
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Cookbook---Easy Recipes
So far, I've made the Sweet and Sour Meatloaf, Muffie's Mustard Lemon Chicken, and a great summer squash zucchini cassarole---all with great results. Read more
Published on July 28, 2008 by S. Daniel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Savvy and easy (the recipes not the hostesses)
My wife has cooked many of the recipes in the book and they have been incredible meals. Great thing is she says they are mostly easy recipes. Read more
Published on February 6, 2008 by Bryan J. Carey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful recipes
This book has some fantastic recipes....have not yet tried one that wasn't a winner--I recommend it highly!
Published on December 22, 2007 by Lionslurking
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
