THE SHARING OF FOOD IS THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT

Recommended by The Classic Catering People’s Harriet Dopkin

The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food by Judith Jones

While Gasterea, the goddess of the pleasures of taste, came to light through the literature of Brillat-Savarin as The Tenth Muse, Judith Jones, as an editor at Knopf, has introduced cooks and culinary fans to Julia Child, Marcella Hazan, Madhur Jaffrey and Claudia Roden. Jones reveals how she ran an illegal restaurant in Paris, learned from Julia Child to de-tendon a goose (a set of maneuvers involving a broomstick) and counted James Beard among her mentors. The book addresses her perceptions regarding "the decline of serious home cooking" and inspires one to return to life lessons taught in a kitchen.

Secret Ingredients: The New Yorker Book of Food and Drink by David Remnick

The New Yorker established a tradition of literary food lovers. These pages of classic profiles of great chefs and great eaters, satisfy every taste through memoirs, short stories, tell-alls and poems—ranging in tone from sweet to sour and in subjects from soup to nuts. From Fisher's homage to "cookery witches" (those who possess an "uncanny power over foo") to Roald Dahl’s famous story about a wine snob’s palate to the old New York tradition of the beefsteak dinner, Secret lngredients is a celebratory food read.

Kitchen Playdates: Easy Ideas for Entertaining That Includes the Kids by Lauren Deen

Filled with 70 delicious recipes and themed menus with activities, Kitchen Playdates offers parents a new way to socialize with friends and family without resorting to carry-out pizza. "Kids in the Kitchen" notes with each recipe include ageappropriate tasks and craft ideas just in case too many cooks come into the kitchen! Author Lauren Deen is an Emmy Award-winning and James Beard Award-winning producer of lifestyle shows for Martha Stewart, Ina Garten and Vera Wang as well as a mom of two young children.

The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution by Alice Waters

Chez Panisse Founder Alice Waters' latest cookbook is a lively discussion of ingredients, equipment and techniques with corresponding recipes. From explaining why salting food properly is key or her reverence for locally produced, seasonal foods, she continues to prove herself one of our best modern-day food writers. Waters embraces the perfect meal as one that’s balanced in texture, color, and flavor.

New Cook Book Celebrating the Promise, Limited Edition "Pink Plaid" by Better Homes and Gardens

This limited edition of the complete, all new Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book 14th edition is pink — in support of the 25th anniversary of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. All the basics of cooking are covered in this book full of recipes and pantry ideas. Pink Plaid also includes a small section dedicated to celebrity cookbook authors including Lidia Bastianich, Sara Moulton, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger and Joanne Weir, as well as all-new recipes that feature fresh foods associated with healthier lifestyle choices.