Appetizers, Finger Food, Buffets & Parties

I started a gourmet food group that meets once a month. My kids gave me this book for a birthday present which ties in for several reasons. I have the older version of this book. As far as I know , beyond the different cover and the difference in the title, the contents are very similar. There are sections about party planning (including equipment and materials listing, table etiquette etc; presentation and buffets), organizing your party food ( planning points very well done; cooking plans, shopping and storage, cook ahead stay calm, simple presentation, garnishing and decorating ); party themes (setting, scenes, food style, planning finger food, portions kebab and cocktail snacks, fork food, even a great section on differnt types of fondue, children parties, BBQ entertaining (just what I needed for an upcoming BBQ theme party etc); and party basics. I found some very good additional hints and techniques to help our upcoming meetings. There are sections for Dips, finger food, light bites, brunches etc , sensational soups , appetizers, dinner parties and festive main courses , stylist salads , eating outdoors and desserts. There are good recipes here for satay, chicken dishes , paella and other finger foods beyond the ordinary finger food that you might encounter at parties. The ones I want to try first for an upcoming party are possibly Peruvian salad, 3 colored fish kabobs, ceviche, corn fritters, iced melon soup, asparagus and oranges. There is also a nice index.You can't go wrong with this book. It is an all in one, well done, photographed and laid out guide with excellent and helpful hints, techniques and directions . You can found it discounted somewhere too

I recently purchased this book, having spotted it in a discount stack. It is very thoughtfully laid out, with excellent instructions and illustrations. The 400 items for which recipes are provided look appetizing and sufficiently distinctive to make for interesting parties and meals. The title, in fact, may be misleading because the book addresses not only appetizers and finger food but most kinds of food that one might consider for special occasions. Published in Great Britain it evidences throughout a concern for quality, both in the book itself and in the snacks and meals that may come from it.