Product Description

This book is the follow-up to the James Beard Award-nominated Perfect Party Food. In Happy Holidays from the Diva of Do-Ahead, Diane Phillips brings her trademark do-ahead approach to creating delicious menus for 12 holiday celebrations—from a backyard bash for Father’s Day to an elegant Passover Seder. With special emphasis on Thanksgiving and Christmas, each holiday features one or more make-ahead menus, plus recipe variations and tips on table settings, decorations, guest lists, estimating beverage amounts, and more. Featuring a beautiful 16-page color photo insert and 125 foolproof recipes, this is an invaluable book for both novice cooks and seasoned entertainers looking to take the stress out of entertaining and enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

Oh how I love books by Diane Phillips! She is definitely the queen diva of do-ahead.  As the cover states, “A Year of Feasts to Celebrate with Family and Friends,” the author does not disappoint, not in the least.  Even if you are having a small gathering of people at your house, you will walk away from this cookbook with an armload of delicious new recipes, ideas and great new tips.

Diane Phillips began all the do-ahead because of the Thanksgiving dinners she prepared and taught.  The rest, shall we say, is history.  The book is divided into 12 chapters which begin with Ring In the New Year and end with A Christmas Breakfast and Dinner.  Page 172 has The Grand Old Flag which is perfect for the upcoming Independent’s Day celebration I’m having at my house; I cannot wait to indulge in her Grilled Stuffed Burgers, which she provides several compound butter choices.

This is a must-have if you ever have people over or you are bringing dishes to a tailgate party – whatever! 

On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest, I rate this book a 5!