A Cook-The-Book Party
I love cookbooks. Even in this day in age when our favorite recipes are available digitally via iPad, computer, even our cell phones, there is nothing quite comparable to the joy of sitting back with a glass of wine at the end of the day (or in the morning, with that cup 'o Joe) and leafing through a cookbook looking for inspiration on what to cook for your next get-together, for the family... or for yourself.
But then the reality of purchasing every new book that catches your eye sets in. It's expensive. And what happens if you only cook two recipes in that new Ina Garten cookbook only before another book distracts you? You're going to run out of bookshelf space.
A cookbook party is the perfect get-together for the food-loving, book-loving set. As a host, you get to gather friends together for an afternoon of good company and delicious food. As a guest, you get to enjoy cooking with friends, maybe learn a new cooking technique or recipe, and get a taste of that new cookbook you've been lusting after, without running the risk of disappointment when a) the recipes don't meet your expectations or b) you only like a few. And with a never-ending supply of cookbooks out there, the options for future get-togethers are endless.
The Plan
1. Get together a group of friends who love to cook, bake, or mix a good drink. It would be a mistake to overlook that close friend who is more apt to burn down her kitchen than cook a pot of oatmeal — especially if she's known for her killer cocktail-mixing skills. Nominate one person as coordinator. This person will keep track of when the parties will be held and who will host. For easy scheduling, it's best to set the date for each get-together and who is hosting well in advance.
2. When it's your turn to host, you get to choose the cookbook and what the menu will be. You can choose old favorites your friends have always wanted to learn, or challenge yourselves and conquer a recipe that is completely new.
3. A week before your gathering, the host should send out a reminder email to the attendees with the cookbook title, menu, and theme (if applicable). As with any party, guests should promptly RSVP so the host knows how many people to expect. What time you ask your guests to arrive will depend on your menu. If you've got dishes with a lot of prep work, like pastas or pies, three to four hours before you wish to sit down is sufficient. A braised or slow-roasted dish that takes up to six hours to overnight on the menu? Start these dishes yourself the night before and ask your guests to arrive a couple hours in advance to help with the finishing touches. (Above, Peggy Bourjaily)
4. When setting the scene, let your cookbook and menu guide you. Preparing something Mexican-inspired? Ask guests to come wearing sombreros, dress the table in bright greens, reds, and yellows, and put together a playlist of mariachi music, if you wish. Inspired by a cookbook filled with recipes featuring fresh fruits and vegetables? Let nature dictate your table setting, too. Set up a table outside with white linens and vases of wildflowers. And don't forget you can entertain outside of dinner! A weekend day is perfect for serving lunch or brunch any time of year. And if that cookbook filled with ice cream and dessert recipes has caught your eye, why not have a dessert-for-dinner themed get-together? (Left, Alberto Peroli)
5. A day or two before your party, create a document that you can share with guests via email (or that you can print and hand out at the get-together) with the menu you prepared, tips you might have, and the recipes you used. As well, be sure to have the cookbook handy for guests to leaf through. And be sure to have on hand all the necessary ingredients you and your guests will need to prepare the dishes on your menu (you can have your guests bring wine, beer, or your choice of beverage, too).