Williams Sonoma Complete Entertaining Cookbook [Hardcover]

Joyce Esersky Goldstein (Author), Chuck Williams (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Weldon Owen Reference Inc (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887451153
• ISBN-13: 978-1887451154
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 10.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #942,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kitchen Dream Helper, December 28, 1999

By 

Kathleen Hampton (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Williams Sonoma Complete Entertaining Cookbook (Hardcover)

Finally, fresh ideas for presentation as well as food selections - especially for salads, light and tasty dressings that are easy to make, and vegetables which are delightfully easy to make and lovely to view - be sure to review the spinach with green peas - have you ever? and the alvacado with shrimp and grapefruit with a super dressing ! I gave this book to my daughter and daugher-in-law for Christmas and could not wait to get home to order mine -enjoy!

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining at its best!, April 2, 2000

By 

"moneypenney" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Williams Sonoma Complete Entertaining Cookbook (Hardcover)

Williams Sonoma has put together another "must own" for anyone who entertains! This book covers not only recipies (broken down into specific menus), but also table setting ideas, floral arranging, wine suggestions (VERY helpful) and napkin folding for the extra special touches sure to make your next get-together a unique and much talked about occasion! Highly recommended!

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars more than you pay for., September 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Williams Sonoma Complete Entertaining Cookbook (Hardcover)

I entertain very often, and that's why I originally purchased this book. As it turns out, I use it several times a week just for the family. It's not only beautiful it's full of information. All of the recipes have color picures and many recipes have alternatives if it's the wrong season for some of the ingredients. I'm very pleased with the book and the price is fantastic for what you get.