Perfect Party Food: All the Recipes and Tips You'll Ever Need for Stress-Free Entertaining from the Diva of Do-Ahead

Very useful addition to my cookbook collection, but there is sooooo much fat in these recipes. In her sample menu called "Formal Grazing Party I", for example, most of the 12 recipes included some cheese AND other fats (cream, bacon, cream cheese, mayo and/or butter!). I know, it's party food, so who cares? Well I do. That said, it is still useful because I can mix her recipes in with my own. I've only tried a handful of the recipes but they all turned out fine. Loved the fresh-tasting Field Greens with Basil Vinaigrette (great for my Easter Brunch). The (tasty, but rich) Honey-Thyme Carrots and Spinach Parmesan Casserole were very convenient to make-ahead and haul over to my sister-in-law's house for Thanksgiving. Got compliments on the recipes too. The book offers many, many recipes to choose from and lots of great advice. And I love when the authors like the Diva provide sample menus. Love all of these features. I just wish there were a few more not-so-fat filled recipes! That would make it a 5-star for me.

Spending my time in the kitchen while entertaining is not my idea of a good time. So when I saw this cookbook, I was anxious to purchase it and try the recipes! I have made several recipes in this book and they have all been excellent. The recipes are easy to follow, delicious and creative, with ingredients that I usually have in my pantry or are easily found at the store. The recipes feature a lot of fresh veggies, herbs and quality ingredients making the recipes fresh and healthy. There are not a lot of high fat, high salt ingredients called for. I love the fact that all of the recipes have steps that can be done in advance that will allow me to have most everything prepped and ready to go before company comes. I find myself referring to it over and over. Great find!

Great easy to make quality dishes for almost any occasion. I'm a huge fan of America's Test Kitchen and have a lot of their books but I like this one better for hosting a party for 10 or more people. It's a practical book with food you will be proud to serve but not difficult to make. Most of the work can be done ahead of time and there's lots of time saving tips! It's also very well organized. I HIGHLY recommend to anyone who likes to entertain and try new recipes.

Entire 15 pages on Lamb was missing, visible without opening the book. Other single pages missing.

This book is a MUST for anyone who likes to entertain. It's packed with delicious recipes, but what I really love is that the book is full of great tips for food preparation as well as what you can do in advance. I love that! I never know how long you can freeze something, or if you should add the layer of cheese to the casserole before you freeze it or after you thaw it. Diane has all the answers! I liked the book so much that I bought 3 more -- one for my sister, my mom and my sister-in-law. I give this book 5 stars. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!

I was preparing a dinner party for 14 people for my husbands 5oth birthday. I wanted to cook the dinner, but I also wanted to enjoy the party! This book was perfect! I used it for everything from the appetizers through desserts. It gives you great menu options in the back. I looked through them and selected my favorites and created my own menu. I was able to make ahead everything up to some point - my favorite part was truly the "Do Ahead Diva". The biggest hit...bread pudding (which I cooked in muffin tins) with macadamian caramel sauce! Won't plan another party without this book!

This is a fantastic cookbook filled with many delicious recipes I have made for family gatherings and parties with friends. I greatly appreciate the ability to make the recipes ahead of time so I can be more relaxed on the day of my party and enjoy my guests. She has make-ahead tips for all of the recipes. Some of my favorite tried-and-true recipes are New York Strip Roast with Horseradish Sauce, Crispy Fried Chicken, Gulliver's Corn, Barbeque Pulled Pork, Lemon Oreganata Chicken, Dilly Potato Salad, Pacific Rim Slaw and Spinach Parmesan Casserole. Buy this one for easy entertaining and you will not be disappointed.

One of my favorite cookbooks of all times! I order 10 copies at a time and give them as various gifts throughout the year. She has wonder tips on entertaining and gives you lots of suggestions on how to “make ahead” dishes so you can really enjoy the hosting of your parties. I love to make meatloaf from her various meatball recipes. It is just a great cookbook!