Barefoot Contessa Parties!

In this stunning book, Ina celebrates a relaxed and innovative style of entertaining that is as much of a joy for the host and hostess as it is for the guests. Arranged by season, Ina's 16 parties are more about assembling food than about cooking for hours. The Not Thanksgiving Dinner transplants the turkey from its November trimmings and makes it a lighter, any-time-of-the-year treat. The California Pizza Party is just made for good times. And the Academy Awards Party for friends puts a whole new spin on the idea of TV dinners. Tips from Ina's 20 years' catering experience place the emphasis on fun, not fuss. And the recipes are just what the countless fans of Ina's first book are hoping for--fabulous soups, salads and main courses (Butternut Squash with Apple Soup, Tomato Fennel Salad, and big bowls of Chicken Chili, for instance!) And the desserts! Chocolate Ganache Cake is a highlight. But so is the Lemon Cake that was first pictured so irresistibly in Ina's first book. All of Ina's fans are hungry for more--and lots of other people who love to have a good time are about to have a great time discovering this entertaining star. In 1978, Ina Garten left her job as a budget analyst in the White House to pursue her dream: operating a specialty food store in the Hamptons. Today, the Barefoot Contessa is celebrated for its stylish charm as well as its delicious food.