Happy Wednesday!
I have a fun cookbook to share and give away, filled with party ideas,
recipes and beautiful inspiration for entertaining:
The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook: Heirloom Recipes for Modern Gatherings
by Courtney Dial Whitmore
In The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook, Courtney Whitmore shares her party go-tos,
from appetizers and salads to entrees, drinks and desserts.
In addition to sharing modern twists on classics and beloved heirloom recipes from her
family’s cookbooks (not to worry, no archaic methods or hard-to-find ingredients here),
Courtney provides tips throughout to make the most of your gathering:
try embellishing a plate with edible flower petals or create mini versions of a well-known dessert.
Growing up in the South, Courtney Dial Whitmore has always loved the art of presenting
classic Southern foods with a modern twist and setting a tablescape with lots of pizzazz.
In addition to delicious recipes, this cookbook has a few teasers of beautiful
table inspiration that Courtney is known for on her site, Pizzazzerie.com.
Courtney’s work has been featured in Southern Living, HGTV, Better Homes & Gardens
and Martha Stewart. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and daughter
and is expecting Baby #2 in September. She wrote this book alongside her mother,
quintessential Southern hostess, Phronsie Dial.
Food is at the heart of all celebrations in the South! There are over 75 recipes
suited for year-round entertaining with Southern charm divided into chapters:
Appetizers and Party Bites, Salads & Soups, Entrees & Main Dishes,
Vegetables & Sides, Breads, Cookies & Candies, Cakes & Desserts, Pies & Cobblers,
as well as Cocktails & Drinks.
I know I’m not alone when I say I’m looking forward to the day when we’re no longer
social distancing and can entertain and celebrate important events with friends and family again
like graduations, birthdays, weddings, and last but not least, football season. ;)
One of Courtney’s entertaining tips for elevating your favorite dessert:
Layer them in pretty glasses, like these Key Lime Trifles
or Banana Pudding, for a party-ready presentation.
There is plenty to tempt my taste buds in this cookbook,
with recipes beautifully photographed and styled.
A few bookmarked recipes:
Cozy Chicken Pot Pie
Shenandoah Valley Apple Cake
Southern Fried Chicken Cobb Salad
Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Aioli
How about Peach Lattice Cobbler?
For a chance to win a copy of The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook,
leave a comment sharing your favorite entertaining tip or go-to party recipe.
This giveaway is open to those living in the continental U.S.
through midnight September 1st.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Thank you to Gibbs Smith Publisher for providing a copy of The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook.
The Southern Entertainer’s Cookbook releases on September 8, 2020 and is available for pre-order.
What a gorgeous book!! Her photos are so very beautiful. I love table settings and collect all sorts of things-vases, plates, glasses to make them different all the time. Let’s see-an entertaining thing we do sometimes is to have a pasta meal to hopefully satisfy everyone. With vegetarians and other personal tastes, we make pasta with sides of roasted veggies, meatballs, sausage, chicken, red sauce and pesto. Everyone can make their own plate to their liking. Thank you for the opportunity.
LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS!! My favorite thing for a crowd is to have a drink bar all set up…allowing the guest to prepare their own drinks, the way they like, is key to keeping all happy!!
Everything looks so beautifully arranged and photographed. My tried and true entertaining plan is to have food buffet style in a central area with seating areas scattered. My friend’s chicken salad recipe is my go-to recipe for every daytime gathering.
What a beauty of a book! Over the years I have learned that it is best for me to prepare meals that can be left in the oven on warm. That way late comers don’t spoil the dinner.
I prep ahead of time..But you also need lots of ice and a great playlist…
Mary what an exquisite cook book to have. Are you sure that you were not the recipe tester and photographer for this book? The Stunning captures remind me of your lovely blog posts.
Oh to be able to entertain a party again… I look forward to the day to gather lots of friends. I often use a large charcuterie board placed at the kitchen island as it is always a party pleaser. I have enjoyed the ones you have shared. Thank you for such a lovely give away.
Happy day to you!
Lovely cookbook! I have a collection of shot glasses in different shapes. I love making a variety of “mini” desserts for parties.
Setting my table a couple of days before including all the serving pieces I will need. Flower arrangements the day before so I can focus on the actual meal. And my shopping/event list. It evolves as the day progresses.
I love to collect fun china pieces to spice up my table. I also love using the mini silver frames you can get at the dollar store, to create signage for my buffet or wine bar.
Beautiful book! I like to have a lot of small snack type things to eat, as opposed to a large meal. I find out if any of my guests has any dietary restrictions, so everyone can enjoy.
What a lovely book! I would love to win it. When entertaining I like the table to look as appealing as the food. Your guests should experience the meal with all of their senses. I always like to have a little takeaway for my guests.
My go to is Clam Pie; easy & delicious it’s what I fall back on for an appetizer. Beautiful photos in her book, so looking forward to reading her party food ideas!
Back in the day (pre-pandemic), I enjoyed inviting friends to lunch. They always requested my homemade cheese wafers which can be an appetizer or an accompaniment to a salad. When thrifting, one of the things I collect is small vases. I fill these with flowers for each place setting and my friends/guests each take one home. It is a joy to prepare for friends!
My favorite appetizer for entertaining is Susan Branch’s Pesto Mold recipe. It is delicious and always a hit!
The pictures that are posted are just gorgeous. Reminds me of this site, with many wonderful ideas for entertaining. Recipes, tablescapes, and just so many options to make entertaining so much fun for everyone.
I follow Courtney’s Instagram and I knew she had a beautiful entertaining and cookbook coming out. I can’t wait to have friends sitting at my table once again. I have been thinking what would be the first meal that I would prepare for friends. I am sure it would be appetizers, followed by a pasta dish, and of course dessert. Happy Wednesday, Mary!
I love to make picnic style foods… red beets and eggs (PA Dutch style), potato salad, macaroni salad, deviled eggs, relish tray, homemade baked beans and a baked ham. No longer use much paper ware as that is my effort to help save our environment so I can’t wait to start browsing antique and “junk” stores for dishes. I also find a good place to hide the dog otherwise his adorable begging eyes get him lots of food. Yes I love mayonnaise! Love your blog!
This book looks beautiful. My favorite entertaining tip is…. deviled eggs. They are loved at any event! They are a labor of love but people truly enjoy them! I make different varieties… besides regular, old bay spiced deviled eggs are a huge hit!
Gorgeous Gorgeous, love the photos
love the book My tip is plan ahead set up table days before
and bar
Beautiful book! My favorite (and easy) entertaining tip is to put red & green grapes, slices of red and green apple, into a mixture of white apple juice and sparkling soda in a clear pitcher. It’s a beautiful presentation, easy, and inexpensive.
Plan WAY ahead, write down by day what you can do in advance. I also print off a menu to put at each place setting, or use those print your own business cards to make place cards. Another easy to do, but always impresses guests, is use small glass tea light holders to make individual salt and pepper dishes. I cut a small piece of card board to fit across the middle of the container and fill salt on one side and pepper on the other.
What a beautiful cookbook! One of my favorite apps to serve for Christmas is your festive tortellini wreath served with jarred marinara sauce. We served it this year for Christmas Eve and everyone thought I was a genius. :) Thanks for the opportunity Mary!
Hi Mary,
One of my first, and most inspirational cookbooks was Martha Stewart’s “Entertaining”. It became the jumping off point for many occasions providing not only wonderful recipes, but other ideas as well for ensuring a special time when gathering with friends and family. This looks like a beautiful book and I would love to have it for future entertaining. Thank you for the opportunity.
I always enjoy your blog.
I love to entertain by setting a pretty table, sometimes with a theme, using a variety of dishes I’ve collected over the years. Nothing says “welcome” like a beautiful table.
One of my party tips is to keep some Athens Phyllo Shells in the freezer. You can pull them out and fill them with sweet or savory fillings. They’re great with chicken salad, goat cheese or brie and fig preserves, or lemon curd and whipped cream. I would love to win a copy of this book, thanks Mary! Teresa
I enjoy making my home and party area inviting as guest approach my home for a party. With it being summer, I enjoy outdoor backyard spaces with string lights, lit candle lanterns, paper lanterns and sometimes balloons swaying gently in the wind. Tiny white lights entwined through a grapevine wreath often encircle my sangria punch bowl.
Food presentation: For my outdoor serving table, I also enjoy using vertical space with strategically placed items using cake stands and flowers.
Foods: Easy, tasty and sometimes not expected foods are wonderful shared with loved one and friends.
My tip is to plan, plan and re-plan. I like to set the table with the serving dishes that are labeled to see how everything will play out. I am a Northerner who retired to the South and this cookbook will give me some new found insight.
What an awesome and beautifully presented cookbook/entertaining book! I always add flowers, and try to set a theme which helps to set the tone of my parties.
What a beautiful book. My favorite entertains tip is to start by setting a beautiful table. Once the table is set, everything else seems to fall into place. My go to recipe for fall is baked ham cooked surrounded by sweet potatoes.
I love good cook books and refer to them when entertaining. I’m hoping to win this cook book!🤗
Beautiful cookbook. My go to recipe is Oven roasted Shrimp (Ina Garten) with homemade cocktail sauce (Southern Living). I love to entertain and miss spending time with friends
What an incredible book! Thank you for introducing me to Courtney, she had me with the first photo of the Bloody Mary buffet! Her tablescapes are stunning, I am sure her recipes are too! When I had friends over for apps last weekend it was like Christmas to me, I was so excited to be able to plan, prep, and set up a pretty buffet/tablescape even though it was just the 3 of us! Fingers crossed that the SEC and ACC will be able to play as planned now, that will help the football lovers in the South and East!
Jenna
That is a beautiful book!!
I always plan a menu for whatever type party I’m having. 2 days before I get out all my dishware and place them on the table or whatever I’m using to serve everything from. I put sticky notes for each container or platter or whatever I’m using to tell what goes in what and where on the table they will be. It saves so much time the day of the part.
We have just downsized into a new home with a to die for white kitchen. All the blue and white in the background made me smile as I am researching blue and white fabrics for the main open area of our home. I have followed your blog for a long time and you have inspired me in so many ways. Just wanted to say thanks!
How do I enter for giveaways?
Hi Linda, To enter just leave a comment sharing your favorite entertaining tip or go-to party recipe. Make sure your current email address is in the comment field so I can contact you. It won’t be published.
I Love to take advantage of good Southern weather and entertain “al fresco”! This has been especially essential during this pandemic! I try to go all out and set the outdoor eating areas as if we were to ing in an outdoor care in Europe…cloth tablecloths and napkins, chargers, nice dishes and glasses…trying to make the experience as “normal” and memorable as possible within our “bubble”! Would love the book to get new ideas. It looks quite yummy!🌞
What a beautiful book! I’m not from nor do I live on the south but I love their entertaining style! I recently hosted a bridal shower for my daughter. My whole family loves ice cream so we decided on an ice cream social “distancing” shower theme! It turned out wonderful with salads and finger sandwiches and of course four varieties of homemade ice cream!
Would love to win the book! Would give me a place to dream until we can entertain like the good Ole days!!! My tip is one that you mentioned–people really do go wild for “their own” whether its a miniature dessert or their own individual serving as the entree. For example, i found miniature shovel spoons at Amazon. I made small, individual dirt cakes & serve them w/ the shovels –gummy worm peeking out! 🐛 My garden friends loved them! 💐🐝🌻.
What a beautiful book! Some of my favorite go-to dishes are tailgate foods. Finger foods and layered dips that are quick and easy to prepare. Desserts that don’t require a fork. All things that go good with Bloody Marys!
What a beautiful book. I am not from nor do I live in the south but live their entertaining style! I recently hosted a baby shower for my daughter. My whole family loves ice cream so we decided on an ice cream social “distancing” baby shower theme. I served salads, finger sandwiches and of course four kinds of homemade ice cream!
This book is beautiful! In the fall and winter, I love to do soup and sandwiches or salad. In the summer, whatever is coming out of the garden is my inspiration. We love squash, zucchini, fresh tomatoes and okra! I miss having my neighbors over….Thank you for the giveaway! Love your blog!
Im not southern but this book looks amazing. The photos entice you and make you salivate…i would love to win this book..thank you.
I live in Texas now, but used to live in North Carolina and since leaving the south I am always in search for great southern recipes! The pictures in this book are amazing, I can only imagine how wonderful the food tastes. The lattice cobbler looks so beautiful! I would love to make it and serve it to guests.
I love to make a dessert bar, using my collection of tiered platters and cake stands. One of my passions is baking so having something for everyone is fun to do and people can help themselves.
Beautiful book! Summer go to is always a low country boil. Tables set up in the shade facing the lake. Sides prepared ahead of time. Once the boil is done everyone can enjoy each other’s company.
What a delightful book. I have already logged on to her website and am now a subscriber. I placed my order on Amazon to pre-order this cookbook. And one more of this book wouldn’t hurt. My mother’s birthday is coming up (in October) and this would make a great gift for her. I love to create a beautifully wrapped gift with large handmade bows and how fun would it be to have this gorgeous book inside! I like to think I’m crafty and can set a beautiful table and then I see someone like this and yourself and think…boy do I have to practice more with my creativity, style, and pictures :-). Loved this post. Thank you! Bobbi Jo
I agree with Julie, planning, planning and more planning! It’s the key to a great party! Then relax and enjoy!
I like to make cupcakes to take anywhere I go, they are easy to eat and can be made in whatever flavor the season calls for.
What a beautiful book. I have been cooking for so many years that I have too many recipes, but I tend to gravitate to simple recipes for entertainment, such as dates wrapped in bacon drizzled with maple syrup. I would love to give this book to my granddaughter, who is a new cook.
Hi Mary, What a gorgeous book! It looks full of wonderful recipes and inspiration! Back when we WERE entertaining, we would set up a S’mores Bar outside on the patio by the firepit. The neighbors and kids loved it. Fun and easy to do with fifferent kinds of marshmallows, graham crackers, (regular and chocolate), nutella, strawberries, peanut butter and Hershey miniatures. It was a hit for little and big kids alike. :~) Thanks for the chance to win. Love your blog! ♥
Oh I’m drooling this morning over these gorgeous photos and recipes! Please count me in your giveaway! I love the idea of a Bloody Mary bar like the gorgeous one on the book jacket. We used to do something similar for brunch for family birthdays with Mimosas or Bellinis, offering different fruit juices, peach nectar and skewered fruit stirrers. Maybe we’ll be back to celebrating all together again soon…sigh.
OMG this is my dream cookbook….I am a member of the Southern Belle Supper Club… and love love love to give parties for my friends….please….yes I am begging…ha…ha..This looks exquisite and so much fun…..with tons of new ideas…Thanks for sharing…
Wow Mary, this cookbook looks like a work of art. Seriously, it could’ve been written and photographed by YOU!! I’m in love with all the pictures that you shared, and that wicker serving cart at the beginning is swoon-worthy. My go to recipe is my cheese ball that I change up for different occasions. Everybody seems to love it. Thanks for the opportunity to win! xx
What a beautiful book. My tip is plan, plan and plan. I set my menu and go from there. I get my serving dishes and silverware for each item down from the cabinets and wash them. I always have water in a beautiful pitcher with citrus so it is available. I am so ready to entertain.
Even though I’ve lived in Maryland for the last 36 years, I am originally from New Orleans and would love a southern cookbook! My favorite entertaining tip is a large charcuterie board or several smaller antique ones with yummy goodies
The recipes in this new book look amazing! I try to keep it simple and look for a menu that I can do a lot of the prep/cooking in advance so I can enjoy my guests and the event.
What a beautiful book!! I enjoy highlighting Southern recipes and food. Anything that remembers our history and family. Spoon bread is always a conversation piece.
Oh what a beautiful book! My cookbooks overfloweth and I vowed not to add another but I would make an exception for this one! An entertaining tip I have is to put the laundry sink off the kitchen into service, filling with ice for chilling extra bottles of wine and beverages. The counter in the laundry room holds the extra glasses, napkins, bottle openers, etc. and it works well to keep the kitchen from becoming so congested. Your blog is one of my favorites, thanks for the giveaway!
Katie
Fabulous book, Mary! How fun to just page through these party ideas dreaming about returning to our days of entertainning. I hold out hope that we will be setting tables for friends and families again, hopefully soon! I’d love to set a long table and fill it with good food and lively conversation. Happy Wednesday!
Thank you for the outstanding give away. As always your pictures make me hungry and wanting to get together with friends. I workout my table several days ahead. This gives me time to make changes and pick up something else if needed. Again thank you for sharing your talents and having one of the most beautiful blogs.
This is a beautiful book. Choose me! Choose me! I need to up my style. I do use candles and flowers, and blue and white or floral dishes, linens, etc. indoors or outdoors, summer or winter. I generally use charcuterie boards, finger foods, salads and casserole style foods.
Well, it looks like we’re ALL HUNGRY to entertain again! These recipes and photos are outstanding, I would love to win a copy. My favorite ‘go to’ appetizer in an emergency or on short notice, is a bag of frozen party meatballs in the slow cooker (or oven if I’m in a big hurry). Add a bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce or Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Sauce for football season. Serve with party picks, success, instant party bite! Thanks for the opportunity. Love your blog by the way. ❤️🍽🌷
Karen
Those beautiful pictures make you want to have a party! I like to make a dip or spread and serve it with assorted vegetables (which you can buy) or bagel chips. I also like to set my table ahead and have a seasonal theme for decorations and food.
Such a beautiful and inspiring book. I love being able to think about a time when we’ll gather again for food and conversation. I love to cook and entertain, especially when we can do it outside on a gorgeous day. Brunch has to be one of my favorite ways to hold a gathering with individual mini quiches, mini pastries and fruit cups served in antique goblets. Thank you for offering this beautiful book.
Looks fabulous. My tip is to prepare as much as you can ahead and always do the table the night before. Thanks for the visual feast.
What stunning photographs in that incredible book! Oh my goodness, I love to entertain and I am just ready for that to happen again some day. I think flowers, candles and music are a must and adds intimacy to a party! Don’t forget, enjoy your own party and enjoy your guests!
Looks like a beautiful cookbook with lovely pics! My favorite go to easy appetizer recipe is sweet peppers with pimento cheese ( hot or mild)and chili powder. Split open pepper and spread pimento cheese inside and sprinkle chili powder on top. Put under a broiler til cheese has melted or can also place on a grill. *I prefer Palmetto pimento cheese with halopenos rather than mild.
I’m ready to entertain, too!
My daughter and I used to make spanakopita and baklava the old-fashioned way with layers and layers of very thin dough. Now we use phyllo cups/shells, which can be found in the frozen food section near the pie crusts and puff pastry. The presentation is especially lovely at a party and very easy to use as an appetizer. There are never any leftovers!
I would love to have this new book to add to my collection.
I love to entertain and enjoy setting the table either using a theme related to the season or the occasion. It is always fun when my guest arrive and it makes them feel special and always elevates the menu.
What a beautiful book to have on display on my front room table! My favorite part of entertaining is collecting vintage tiered trays for displaying the tiny foods. I have a display of these vintage trays in all parts of the house. I love the colors in this book and the dishes are a treasure to view.
Love, love, love this beautiful cookbook with such wonderful entertaining tips & ideas!
For fall, I make ‘Rhodes’ frozen rolls in the morning, pick up a meat and cheese tray at our local Amish deli along with a tub of their homemade soup. For dessert, I always have 1 (or 2 in case 2nds are requested!) of my make ahead homemade frozen raspberry pies in the freezer. All that’s left is putting out condiments for guests to make their own sandwiches and I am able to enjoy my guests stress free!
What a beautiful book! I would love a copy. My go-to recipe for football/baseball parties is Kevin’s Hot Artichoke Heart Dip. EVERYONE loves it. I found it years ago in the Neiman Marcus Entertaining Cookbook.
I like to have music (softly) going in the background.
Most of my parties consist of grandchildren and they love “green punch”. Beautiful book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I am from up North and I just spent a month in a Nursing Home and now at home and want to entertain again , hope I win this book, it has a lot of good ideas.
I love all of these ideas! And the book looks beautiful!
I I love to have a charcuterie board out on a table where preppie can gather round filled with seasonal items especially for times when guests trickle in. It gives people a place to mingle until everyone arrives.
This is a book I will have when it comes out. Beautiful ideas. When I am entertaining I decide menu, then put every ingredient together on my island along with the dish to serve in. This way I know I have all ingredients and made everything for event. It works great.
What a great book! If I don’t win, I may just have to buy it! Most of my entertaining is very casual, but I always try to find at least one dish that’s new and different. Also, since I’ve gotten older, I love for my granddaughter or grandson (both in their 20’s and creative cooks) to join me in preparing.
Thank you very much Mary for the chance to win this gorgeous cookbook. Most of the time my guests do not save room for dessert. I have purchased small “to go” boxes that will hold a piece of pie or cake. This way, they can enjoy dessert later on.
This looks like my kind of cookbook….one that is a feast for the eyes as well as for the palette. When I am entertaining I always get requests for my homemade bean dip. On one vacation to lake Shasta I had to make it 3 times! I have also had requests to market it. It’s not a fancy appetizer but one that is always a hit. Beautiful cookbook….one that can be displayed as well as enjoyed!
I would never have thought to put Banana Pudding in crystal glass but as soon as we are able to have our friends over for dinner they are gettng a Southern Banana Pudding. This is a beautiful book .
This is beautiful! I fill a plastic birdbath with ice, lay shrimp on top and place a bowl of cocktail sauce in the center.
Gorgeous photos of food presentation! We love to entertain and it looks like this book has some new, fresh ideas! I select and place serving dishes, napkins, glasses, utensils, etc. well in advance. To keep a flow, appetizers are available on the kitchen island where guests can easily access both sides and serve themselves. “Go to” appetizers include a charcuterie board, a cheese board, hot appetizers – could be crab dip, sausage/cheese dip, Brie enveloped in phyllo and topped with fig preserves, etc.
Wow, beautiful book and giveaway.
My favorite go to are taco won tons.
Taco filling in won tons then deep fried. Dip in salsa, guacamole, bean dip.
Always a hit.
What an awesome book. The pictures are beautiful and I would be excited to try some new recipes. Since being home so much now is the time to work on some cooking skills and these would be perfect !
Ahhhh, my heart is a’flutter, both with the beauty of this gorgeous book and the pent-up desire to have marvelous, once-again-easy parties for friends! How we took for granted our ability to share joy and camaraderie as a given! You, Mary, are the very source of many of my go-to winning recipes for entertaining. One constant in “my” repertoire has been your delicious Cha Cha Chicken! Many times, I have shamelessly imitated it right down to the arcing Rosemary wands and dried cranberry placement! It has produced kudos for both its visual delight, followed by the wonderful taste treat that is its essence! I owe so many thanks to you for your unending brilliance and artful creativity fueled by an obvious abundance of energy and hard work!
What a beautiful book! One entertaining tip that I have is to set up a small salad bar. That way, instead of guessing what ingredients most guests would like in their salad, they can choose those items and make their own salad, leaving out what items they don’t really like. It is quick and easy for each person to throw together a quick little bowl or plate of salad when the ingredients are already prepped and ready. They can choose their own dressing and toppings, also. It is really a great way to make sure everyone has something delicious that they really like to eat! For those who don’t care for greens, I have even put cold pasta, chicken salad, or fruit out as options. Thanks for the great giveaway, Mary! :)
What a beautiful book! I love to make up cheese boards when I entertain. I will include different cheeses, grapes, figs, all different crackers and home-made breads and even candies. I pair my cheese boards with different wines that compliment the cheeses, fruits and candies. It is so much fun to see my guests pair the cheese and wine together. When you have new-comers to entertain, it is a great way to break the ice.
What a beautiful book and your blog is a feast for the eyes. My tips for parties are keep it as simple as possible. Stick to tried and true recipes that you know your guests will love. Do not try to experiment with new recipes. Unless it’s an intimate dinner party, buffet style is the way to go. Talblecloths, simple dishes, napkins artfully and creatively displayed along with the food items and a beautiful centerpiece are usually all I need when entertaining a crowd.
Best entertaining tip I have is to do as much ahead of the party day as possible. I absolutely love the colorful photographs and the table settings are delightful. Both me and my daughter are gaga for dishes and tableware, this book will provide much inspiration. Thank you for the opportunity to win such a lovely book!
One of my favorite things to do with cookbooks is to just sit and read them! I LOVE beautiful cookbooks, and this one would make a nice addition to my collection! So many delicious looking offerings you have shared make me want to get busy making SOMETHING. My friend and I used to have a Tea Party business where people would book a party, select which tier they wanted, and we would set it all up in their location, including everything we used to serve them with. I loved offering finger sandwiches, and even tiny but pretty salads served in frico cups presented on various three-tiered servers, always accompanied with silver serving utensils. Chilled fruit soups in smaller, antique tea cups were a hit. But the favorite was my selection of tea-sized desserts. A simple banana snack cake was adorable cut with small decorative cookie cutters, and even a luscious bourbon-sauced bread pudding was elegant when presented in delicate demitasse cups or mini ramikins. Regular old Texas sheet cake is special when cut in small bite sizes and served on lacy paper doilies. Guests often were dressed in tea party attire, and we always served a different hot tea with each course. We also educated them about tea in general and of course the proper tea party etiquette ! Sadly, it’s becoming a lost art. Sometimes I surprise my daughter and granddaughters with a mini tea party and they love it! Thank you for allowing me to share a precious memory with you.
My fav entertaining tip is to have a glass of wine while preparing!! To relax
Beautiful pictures. Love the table scapes. Very inspiring. My go to party recipe is very simple but delishes – Ambrosia salad.
As a vegetarian I only serve those choices for appetites. One everyone enjoys is artichoke spinach dip! I serve mine with tortilla chips and veggies!
Book is a delight. Would love to put this one on my shelf. Love to entertain; we have moved into an apartment in a retirement community so this creates some limitations.
Instead of sit down dinners, we are doing heavy hors d’ oeuvres with some yummy easy to pick up sweets.
Lemon bars and pecan bars are always a favorite.
Thank you for this wonderful website.
This book is beautiful! While my husband is the “cook” in the house, I am the queen of appetizers and delicious cakes! My new favorite cake is a lemon cake with raspberries tucked in the batter, raspberry preserves between layers and lemon frosting!
I have seen photos of some of Courtney’s beautiful table settings and parties. Needless to say, I would love to win a copy of this new book. I do not come from a Southern home where entertaining was a natural part of life. Over the years I have, by trial and lots of errors, developed some things that work for me when I am planning to entertain. Being a procrastinator and not as young and quick as I once was, I have two “musts” as part of my planning. First, I love a beautiful table with little touches and fresh flowers. I always think of what I want my table to look like well in advance, pick the dishes and linens accordingly and have my table set at least a day before any event. Second, I always make a schedule or “to do” list for the day of the event. I create a chart of the hours before the event and divide it into half hour intervals, I then assign a time for everything that must be done “day of”. I include little things like taking butter out of the refrigerator to soften and big things like when to put something in the oven. As soon as I am up and about, I just use that schedule to keep me on track and less likely to forget something important. I find I am much less nervous if I can methodically check off my list as the arrival time of guests approaches. I always assign a time for my own personal dressing and grooming to ensure that when the doorbell rings I am presentable. I understand this might be too regimented for some, but it has proven invaluable for me. MM
I am all about presentation. We eat with our eye first. Lovely photos from the cookbook. One of my favorite ways to entertain is different types of “bars”. It’s part of the gathering, when people make their personal selections for this meal. Some “bars” have been nacho, taco, burger, pizza, soup, salad, cake and cookie, biscuit. The list can be endless.
This is an amazing,inspirational cookbook to inspire all sorts of dining moments. Since I often have my dining table styled and set, I arrange my taller table centerpieces on a tray, that can easily be moved just before dining, in order to accommodate easier conversation and my family’s most important tabletop styling consideration…making room for the food!
This looks like a great book to have for entertaining. I like to go the extra mile when entertaining with a special dessert and some cute decor items, even if we are just having a cook out.
This is a beautiful cookbook! The recipes look fairly simple. My go to recipe for warmer month gatherings in the classic Potato Salad. Other times of the year it’s brownies, made from scratch of course.
OMG! This transplanted Southerner loves the style of entertaining that is celebrated in this book. Beautiful. The part of the south that I grew up in was of the paper plate and flip flop genre. Oyster roasts, shrimp boils, fish fries ~ good food, casually served on newspapers.
When I moved to the midwest, I developed the style of my dreams. My cupboards are full ~ multiple patterns of china, flatware, glassware, linens and an over the top cookbook library. 50 plus years of collecting. 50 plus years of entertaining. With just the two of us now? This book inspires me to take a new look at and shake things up. Like in the good ol’ days! Thank you for sharing your creativity.
What a lovely book! I cannot compete, but I can share that my favorite tip is to keep the menu simple and the flowers spectacular. If possible, I cook entree day before. And a simple dip made with balsamic vinegar, sundried tomatoes, chile flakes and garlic paired with french bread is a fabulous and easy appetizer! Bon appetit! carmen
Fantastic! So many new things to try! So glad I subscribe and don’t miss any of your great posts!
This book looks wonderful!! The pictures are beautiful and I’m sure the recipes will be delicious! My favorite entertaining tip is to have some sort of take home treat for my guests. For the summer season, a favorite recipe is a fruit salsa made with peaches and kiwi and served with cinnamon pita chips. I hope I win!!
I love to entertain like this! I always set up completely the morning of the day before, complete with linens. I always do a bar station, a punch station for holidays, and I have a wonderful hot cocoa bar with copper urns for Christmas time.
Thanks for a lovely giveaway!
Looks like a lovely book. I just gave away almost all of my cookbooks and decor books bc we are moving out of state to Florida. Too expensive to move all so I would love to win this book! Something so like to do when I entertain is create a cheese/nut/ fruit board that people can nibble from as an appetizer. It makes a nice presentation and it is yummy. You can change it up seasonally. Thanks for a nice blog! I appreciate what you do!
I’m drooling!! Everything looks so good…and fancy. I guess my best tip would be have the cocktails ready! And I try to have serving dishes ready to go with whatever is being served. Thanks for the giveaway!
I always make Paula Deen’s hot artichoke dip as an appetizer. I serve it with thinly sliced toasted baguette. It is easy to make and absolutely delicious.
What a beautiful book! My crab dip recipe is always a hit as an appetizer.
This book is beautiful!!! My go to tip is to have a signature cocktail. Everybody seems to love it!
Although I am not eligible to win this book (I live in an Alpine village and coastal Portugal), I do enjoy reading the comments. I agree with posters above regarding playlists and labeling the serving plates with their contents in order to make sure each has the appropriate plate/bowl/etc. For parties, you can never have enough candlelight!
Choosing an appropriate theme gets me motivated. It may start with a menu, before you know it, there is decor and music, even party favors. This book seems to keep the Southern in the fore front. Absolutely stunning!
Such a gorgeous book cover, and the interior looks just as fun! Perhaps I need to purchase a little southern grace to brighten my mood, it looks wonderful.
It would have been the perfect Novel Baker book! I hope your days continue to brighten and your hubby can rescue the lions. ♥
Beautiful book and lovely photos! Our family likes to do different bars such as a Taco bar or Barbecue bar and everyone brings something and we share! I set the tables to go with the theme and we’re ready to go. Lynn
’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
What a lovely book with stunning photos…a great addition to one’s library…BUT, in my years of entertaining, a focus on the place settings, flowers, music, even food will only come after your guests FEEL welcomed, appreciated, and treasured. This is my tip for successful entertaining…. JUST as Maya Angelou stated.
I have used my Grandmother’s strawberry pie at so many gatherings, everyone has come to expect it. And barter to take home any leftovers! Plus it’s always better on a pretty plate. What a beautiful book!
I just read your flower soap post. What a beautiful gift idea! And this cookbook looks so fun! I enjoy your blog very much! thank you!!
Two recent recipes I’ve tried at parties are Chicken and Waffle Sliders and Veggie Pizza Pinwheels. Both are easy to make and everyone seems to enjoy them. This book sounds really good — I’d love to own it!
digicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
This cookbook looks great. I tip I have it to set out all the platters and cook wear I’ll use the day before with post it notes on each for what it is to be use for. Then I know everything is clean, I have everything I need, and I have everything ready to go.
I love delicious food and beautiful presentation. My entertaining mantra has always been, treat your company like family and your family like company.
What a great-looking cookbook – I would love to win! My favorite go-to party recipe is ham pinwheels. For take to homes for new babies, sickness, death in the family, or just because, my go-to dish is Funeral Potatoes.
What a gorgeous book! I see several recipes I would love to try! One of my favorite appetizers for easy entertaining is Ina Garten’s Savory Palmiers. I keep frozen puff pastry in the freezer at all times to whip up a batch. Thanks for the opportunity!
I’m thrilled to discover this book! I’ve been looking for an idea for my sister’s birthday in September and she is impossible to shop for after 53 years! She is the hostess with the mostest so this book is right up her alley! She is my “go to” source for party planning and entertaining. One of her favorite appetizer at the holidays that I have used before is a wreath of caprese skewers drizzled in balsamic glaze. They’re so festive with their red and green colors and couldn’t be easier to put together. Thank you for the chance to win!
What an appetizing cookbook. The photos are exquisite and makes my water just looking at them. This cookbook would make a great Christmas present for anyone who cooks. Every cook should definitely put this on their Christmas wishlist.