Southern Lady: Gracious Tables: The Perfect Setting for Any Occasion

About this book

Entertaining doyenne Phyllis Hoffman shows how to prepare a stunning table for any occasion. So many of the events of our lives from the formal to the informal are celebrated by gathering around a table. Whatever the occasionwhether its a holiday dinner Sunday brunch or a casual lunch with friendsthe table is the place where we relax and enjoy each others company while savoring a great meal. No one knows how to dress a table with elegance and flair better than Phyllis Hoffman publisher of Southern Lady magazine the quintessential resource for entertaining the gracious Southern way. Now Hoffman draws upon her years of expertise to create Southern Lady Gracious Tables the definitive guide to creating gorgeous "tablescapes" for every occasion. Starting with the basics Hoffman presents a series of breathtaking spreads for a whole range of occasions from formal settings to casual get-togethers and describes how to achieve each look right down to the recipes55 in totalfor her mouthwatering specialties. Enjoy a lovely outdoor lunch of tasty Fried Green Tomatoes with Crab and Green Chile Cream Sauce or finish off a dinner party with delectable Praline Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce. Hoffman then builds a "wardrobe for the table " navigating through the complex world of dinnerware fine linens and serving pieces. Each and every element of the tablefrom fruit saucer to lemon fork to water gobletis covered in a friendly helpful way. Finally theres advice on adding that all-important personal touch with instructions on how to craft flowers family heirlooms collectibles and other unexpected treasures into the perfect centerpiece place marker or accent. All along her advice includes refreshingly simple techniques for presentation and encourages the readers own creativity in playing with colors patterns and styles. Complemented by lush photography and told in Hoffmans accessible encouraging and deliciously Southern voice Southern Lady Gracious Tables is a must-have for every aspiring hostess south or north of the Mason Dixon. The perfect gift for any woman who loves to entertain it has all the tools tips and inspiration you need to elevate the ordinary to the unforgettable.