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Table Tales: A New Cookbook to Help with Your Dinner Parties

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Table Tales: Do-Ahead Dinner Party Menus that Whet Appetites, Loosen Tongues and Make Memories by Ray Repp and Richard AltherLooking for a cookbook that will guide you through the upcoming holiday entertaining season? Look no further than the soon-to-be-released Table Tales: Do-Ahead Dinner Party Menus that Whet Appetites, Loosen Tongues and Make Memories by Ray Repp and Richard Alther (Regent Press, November 2018).

* Complimentary book received for review. This cookbook is part of the TwoClassyChics annual holiday gift guide. This post may contain affiliate links.

Table Tales: Do-Ahead Dinner Party Menus that Whet Appetites, Loosen Tongues and Make Memories by Ray Repp and Richard Alther

This highly readable cookbook presents complete dinner party menus (plus one buffet) that are composed of appetizer, first course, main course, and dessert recipes, all designed to be prepared ahead of time so the hosts can spend more time with their guests. Each chapter begins with a story from one of Ray and Richard’s dinner parties, and I must say, those stories might just be my favorite thing about the book.

I also love the way the authors present the recipes. Of course, there are ingredient lists and step-by-step directions, but there are also snippets of wisdom dropped in almost as asides, describing tips, personal preferences, and suggestions. Reading through the recipes, you know that they’ve been made over and over, sometimes with this twist, sometimes with that. It’s reassuring, and inspiring, too. They also share their hosting experience in helpful sidebars called “Hospitality Tips,” where they describe different incidents from their parties and how they handled them.

Table Tales: Do-Ahead Dinner Party Menus that Whet Appetites, Loosen Tongues and Make Memories by Ray Repp and Richard Alther

The dishes they serve are rich and varied. Richard is the dessert specialist, while Ray handles the rest of the menu. Here’s a sampling of their delectable recipes in Table Tales:

• Appetizers: Mini Crab Cakes with Basil Mayo; Crunchy Pesto on Crackers
• First Course: Seared Tuna with Catalan Sauce; Golden Gazpacho
• Main Course: Seafood Wellingtons (or Beef); Layered Tomatoes and Potatoes with Herbed Bread Crumbs
• Dessert: Lemon Cream Cheese Layer Cake; Cranberry Lime Tart

Table Tales: Do-Ahead Dinner Party Menus that Whet Appetites, Loosen Tongues and Make Memories by Ray Repp and Richard Alther

There is much more to be gleaned from Table Tales than menus, recipes, and entertaining tips. Reading this well-crafted book, I found myself dreaming of being the kind of person who could host or even attend such sumptuous feasts with such diverse, interesting attendees. However, on the next—albeit rare—occasion when I am either host or guest, I will think of Ray and Richard, and I will try to emulate their ease, their consideration, and their ability to enjoy the moment.

If you’re planning on entertaining this holiday season, treat yourself to a copy of Table Tales if only for the inspiration. On the flip side, this book would make a great hostess gift if you’re invited to any holiday gatherings. Or wrap it up with a set of holiday-themed tea towels and an apron, and you’ve got the perfect gift for the entertainer on your gift list.

For more information about this fun cookbook and guide to entertaining, check out its dedicated website. There you’ll find author bios, links to their social media feeds, excerpts from the book, and more.

* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!

Giveaway: One lucky winner is going to win a copy of the Table Tales Cookbook, thanks to Regent Press. Good luck!

Giveaway Details: This giveaway is open to residents of the US ONLY age 18 and over. Please read our Terms of Service & Disclaimer Policy before entering. This giveaway will close on November 12th, 2018 at 11:59 pm EST time. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Bailey

Disclaimer: A. Bailey received a complimentary product for review purposes & feature on The Classy Chics blog. No monetary compensation was received. A. Bailey’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own. Your thoughts may differ. Please read the blog’s terms of service policy before entering any giveaways. The Classy Chics are NOT responsible for prize fulfillment or shipping of any items won from this blog.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  19. Vickie says

    I host at least once a month.
    More during Holidays including Open House.
    Like to do al Fresca evening parties here in Florida mostly.
    Always fun and relaxed.
    Planning and menu are always different.. Except Christmas. Very southern traditional.
    I can plan upto a few weeks or spontaneous gathering in a day!
    LOVE IT.

  20. Kris I. says

    I host dinner parties a couple times a year, usually around a holiday or birthday; I plan about a month ahead and I usually serve Italian food!

  22. Alice F says

    I love to host dinner parties and do so on the average twice a year. They are so much fun and I have fund the secret to success is to plan far in advance and to have a game plan! Plan ahead and start prepping food a few days in advance.

  25. heather says

    To be honest we never host dinner parties. If I did host a dinner party I would plan a month a head of the dinner and I would serve several dishes. I would make sure that any vegetarians who came to the dinner party also had an entree. We just have dinners for family during the holidays. I went to the sponsor’s page and looked around.

  26. Mia Rose says

    I host every few months and often I will find a main dish like lasagna to make that is easy to make ahead so I don’t have to do everything last minute.

  27. Jo-Ann Brightman says

    I don’t really host many dinner parties. Most of the time it is a family gathering. For the holidays , if I am hosting, I shall try to plan way ahead, maybe a month.

  31. Tamra Phelps says

    I pinned Oatmeal Jam Bars Recipe from your board Thanksgiving Recipes and Decor. Username tamraphe

  32. Tamra Phelps says

    My ‘dinner parties’are really just family get-togethers, lol. They tend to be around the holidays. But sometimes, they pop up suddenly, too.