In the World of KOTUR, when it comes to having fun, there isn’t much that trumps a dinner party. With that, we welcome a new book put together by my multi-talented friend, Daniel Cappello, in celebration of the art of the Dinner Party. Part retrospective, part biography, part extremely chic how-to guide, his book Dinner Diaries: Reviving the Art of the Hostess Book is a wonderful celebration of the ‘golden age of fine dining,’ and a wonderful read as well.

Most of the chapters are formatted as questionnaires, filled out by an interesting assortment of designers, authors, and philanthropists, among whom I was honored to be included. Answering questions on matters such as placements and tableware, thank-you notes and menus, faux pas and centerpieces, they are full of handy tips, including Ivanka Trump’s recipe for roast duck.

Through the many lessons learned through the varied, yet skilled hosts, Amy Vanderbilt’s 1950’s era testimony still rings true, “whether trained servants present platters of peacocks’ tongues or the hostess herself dishes up a good spaghetti, dinner is quite immaterial.”  To quote Cappello’s own invaluable advice: “To host a successful and memorable dinner party, be as gracious as you know how, present the best you have to offer, and remember that, as host, you set the tone for the evening in your every manner and approach…. and be sure to enjoy it yourself. In other words, don’t sweat the small stuff, and don’t cry over spilled milk – or spilled salt.”

If you’re looking for an aide-mémoire for your own soirées, then Daniel’s book is a treasure trove of knowledge, ideas, witticisms and tips – as entertaining a read as it is a guide to the art of entertaining. As we enter the festive season, we could not recommend it more highly for inspiration for your own events at home. We will, most certainly, be using it.

Daniel Cappello’s Dinner Diaries: Reviving the Art of the Hostess Book is published by Assouline

http://www.assouline.com/dinner-diaries.html