French by birth, British by education, Australian by choice, Babette Hayes was uniquely placed to bring that fusion of French tradition and informal style that characterises her cuisine and interior design. In Food for Friends she traces her journey from the war-torn Middle East, to the strangeness of life in an English boarding school, to glittering mornings on Sydney's Mosman Bay. These recipes and the stories that accompany them, recall dear friends and family members who have inspired Babette's approach to the joy of living and sharing food. With the inclusion of family photographs, Food for Friends offers the insights and experiences of one who has sought to make an embracing experience of cooking and being together as... 'an ordinary part of everyday life.' 'Plenitude: fullness or adequacy in quantity, measure, or degree; abundance. It's the word I think of first when I recall those magnificent Sunday lunches at Babette Hayes' beautiful house in Hunter's Hill. Of course there was an abundance of wonderful food, but an equal abundance of generosity, goodwill, laughter, great company. There were splendid dinners too, candlelit affairs that extended past midnight, their begetter a consummate hostess dedicated to providing her guests with persistent and ineradicable memories.' - Leo Schofield 'I remember my first visit to your home and sitting on the verandah eating one of your lunches. It is unforgettable. You changed our way of looking at food and entertaining Babette.' - Margaret Fulton

This brand new collection of 360 recipes provides a wealth of inspiration for relaxing meals to share with friends even when you're short of time. Based on simple, fresh ingredients, quick cooking methods and beautiful presentation, these dishes are sure to impress even if you only dashed through the door half an hour before serving them. Whether it's a formal dinner party, or a more relaxed supper with loved ones, Quickcook: Food for Friends has starters,mains and desserts to satisfy all tastes and keep your visitors coming back for more.

Make the most of your time with this new collection of fast recipes from the popular Hamlyn All Colour series. Inviting friends and family over for a bite to eat should be the easiest, most enjoyable thing in the world, but too often most of your time is spent slaving in the kitchen rather than having fun and enjoying dinner together. With Hamlyn All Colour Cookbook: 200 Fast Food for Friends, you can prepare quick and delicious meals in less than 30 minutes - including Vietnamese Spring Rolls; Grilled Tandoori Lamb Chops; Harissa Beef Fajitas; Melting Chocolate Pots; and Caramel Pear Tarte Tatin.

Small bites and treats to share The best gatherings are simple, yet somehow special. They might begin with an impromptu picnic after shopping at the farmer’s market or a late lunch with neighbors that stretches into cocktails under the stars. Whatever the occasion, this picture-perfect cookbook shows how to turn any meal into a delectable affair. These effortless recipes for brunch, teatime, happy hours, picnics, potlucks, and dessert all include a whimsical twist: a few slices of French toast doused in lavender syrup, rainbow chard empanadas served with pistachio crema, or a vibrant purple cauliflower hummus. With tips on creating an inviting table, stocking a pantry to make last-minute nibbles, and packing delicious parting gifts for guests, Food with Friends will inspire any get-together, however large or small.

Creating memorable feasts for family and friends is one of life’s great pleasures: how better to celebrate life and love than to gather at a happy table laden with scrumptious home-cooked food? You don’t need to be an expert cook to produce heart-warming dishes that sing with flavour – all that's required is passion, patience and smart preparation well in advance. Jane-Anne Hobbs has created over 90 original, triple-tested recipes designed to take the fuss out of home entertaining and bring smiles to the faces of the people you love. Whether you’re planning a relaxed get-together over a homely dish of soup, stew or salad, or a lavish spread with all the bells and whistles, you’ll find plenty of inspiring new ideas here, plus top tips for planning and preparing a meal to remember

Entertaining made easy, with Mexican-inspired recipes and handy tips from the celebrity chef and winner of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together with friends or throwing an outdoor shindig, no one can teach you the art of fiesta like Rick Bayless. With 150 recipes, Bayless offers you the key to unforgettable parties that will have guests clamoring for repeat invitations. There are recipes for small-dish snacking (Mushroom Ceviche, Devilish Shrimp), dynamic cocktails to get the party started (Champagne Margarita, Sizzling Mojito), and Bayless’s signature takes on Mexican street food (Grilled Pork Tacos al Pastor, Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas). Live-fire grilled fish and meat dishes like the “Brava” Steak with “Lazy” Salsa will draw friends and family to the glow of open flames. And if you’re going to throw a truly epic celebration, you’ll need a killer finale like Frontera Grill’s Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars or Dark Chocolate–Chile Ice Cream. Fiesta at Rick’s offers 150 diverse preparations organized into easy-to-follow chapters. But it’s far more than a collection of recipes. With four complete, can’t-miss menus for parties ranging from a Luxury Guacamole Bar Cocktail Party for 12 to a Classic Mexican Mole Fiesta for 24, Bayless has all your friends covered. Each of these parties has a complete game plan, from a thought-out time line with advance shopping and preparation to a fiesta playlist. Whether a first-time entertainer or a seasoned veteran, anyone can learn from the helpful sidebars, which cover topics such as how to shuck oysters, the perfect avocado for guacamole, and the best way to pick out fresh fish for ceviche preparations. Bayless breaks down the timeless building blocks that make up authentic Mexican food, explaining the value of fresh tortillas and providing surprisingly simple instructions for making your own Mexican Fresh Cheese. Bayless’s entertaining blueprint eliminates the guesswork, so you can let your inspiration run free. Companion to seasons six and seven of Rick’s Public Television series Mexico—One Plate at a Time, Fiesta at Rick’s is required reading for everyone who loves opening their home to friends and good times.