This is an absolutely, mouthwateringly beautiful book. I'm dreaming of a time, post-COVID, where I will be able to have friends and family over to share one of these spreads. Filled with great tips and timelines, this would be an asset in a home that throws a lot of formal or informal gatherings. There's even a section on holiday spreads for your next celebration. I also liked the section on table dressings, which included tips on linens, seasonal flowers, and music. Part of the wow in large spreads is the visual impact of the whole scene. Some of my favorite spreads were the bloody mary bar, the savory focaccia party (which would probably be best altered to individual focaccias, rather than one large one), birthday breakfast nachos, and the summer limeade party.

Loved the visual aspects of the book. Definitely a coffee table book. It has tips for spreads, cutlery to use, how to arrange food, flowers and table. An info graphic of multiple choices to really help you. Starter options for every kind of hosting and their recipes with gorgeous pictures. Everything you need for hosting people is available here.

This is a FABULOUS cookbook! My initial impression was that there was too much reading and not enough pictures, but I was wrong! The first part of the book is more informational and the rest of the book is full of recipes for every occasion with mouth-watering pictures! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this arc! I’ll definitely be adding a physical copy to my cookbook collection!

I loved this book! I am a HUGE fan of snack-y type foods and would love to own this book as a reference for party planning in the future. All the photos in this book were lovely and very engaging. The art of arranging food in a pleasing and balanced fashion is a goal of mine and with this book it feels achievable. In providing samples and suggestions for different types of boards this book takes the next step from being just a pretty book to a solid resource. The recipes provided are succinct and easy to follow. I for one look forward to trying out a burrata bar of my own. I hope who loves food gets a chance to pick this book up and find something delicious to try out and up their spread game!

Anyone who entertains will want to pick up a copy of Shelly Westerhausen Worcel’s and Wyatt Worcel’s excellent book, Tables & Spreads: A Go-To Guide for Beautiful Snacks, Intimate Gatherings, and Inviting Feasts. There are so many ways to serve food, and the authors set out beautiful ways to put different foods on tables in a way that will impress. They cover all aspects of setting up a spread – from cheeses, meats, vegetables, napkin folding, tablescaping, flowers, candles, music, etc. This is one of the most helpful books out there and takes a simple buffet to a spectacular, showstopper display. Not only is there a good definition of a spread, but there are dozens of suggestions, along with beautiful photographs, for different types of spreads. The authors have created a formula to plan a great spread, including timelines, basics, portioning and essential items to be included. Most recipes include styling notes and make-ahead game plans. The suggestions are absolutely doable, so readers won’t be intimidated. It seems anyone can follow the directions, include their personal ideas, and end up with something they are proud of.

The book includes menus and suggestions for themed spreads, and recipes for dips, condiments, breads, salads, dumplings, and cocktail bars. There are setups for holiday events, birthday parties, sports parties, a Valentine’s day fondue spread, a Martini Bar for New Year’s Eve, and a Dutch Baby Bar for Christmas.

If you like to entertain, you’ll definitely want to add this book to your favorite cookbook collection.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Tables & Spreads by Shelly Westerhausen Worcel with Wyatt Worcel

9781797206493

288 Pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Release Date: May 4, 2021

Nonfiction, Cooking, Food & Wine, Home & Garden

The book is divided into two parts with the following sections.

Part 1
Section 1: The Spread
Section 2: The Basics
Section 3: Adding the Wow Factor
Section 4: Anatomy of a Spread

Part 2
Section 1: Keeping It Casual
Section 2: Interactive Spreads
Section 3: Holiday Showstoppers

The photography is beautiful in this book. The author gives a suggestion that the recipes can be scaled up or down. There is also a planning checklist to help you stay organized and on track for the festivities. I love the flavor profiles and the “choose your own adventure” included in the basics section. The napkin folding directions will definitely come in handy whenever we are able to have another dinner party. In the anatomy section, there are different selections for boards depending on the occasion and six different types of spreads.

I look forward to making many of the recipes in this book and will scale it down for the two of us. The recipes are easy to follow, and the ingredients are readily available in most grocery stores and pantries. I don’t know what I will make first since they all sound so good! If you are a foodie and love looking for new recipes, this is definitely a book for you.

This gorgeous book has it all! From recipes and cheese board ideas to table-scaping and party ideas for any occasion. If you like to entertain, this one is not to be missed!

Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release of this book. My review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

Lots of great creative ideas! Makes me excited for hopeful normalcy so I can actually entertain again!

This is fantastic if you (like me) have trouble making your food look pretty.
This helps with structure and balance, and hooks you up with several tasty recipes too.
It even had a recipe for pierogi dough.
My favourite recipe was also the first one I tried...
The blackberry dijon whipped ricotta dip will be served at all my parties till the end of time!
Much love to NetGalley & Chronicle Books for my DRC.

I'm not someone who entertains a lot (especially during the pandemic times) but I wish I were! And with the help of this guide to creating a lovely feast, I might be (when it's safe to visit each other's homes again). I firmly believe that a good gathering centers around an abundant table, and this book lays out in clear detail how to create one.

Westerhausen covers the minutiae of preparing for a party - the timeline, the decorating details, down to the napkin folds - as well as the appearance of the spreads and flavor profiles. There are general guidelines on how to assemble platters and boards as well as specific advice on pairing recipes with drinks and complementary accompaniments. Most of the recipes in the book are vegetarian, with helpful additions of meaty treats if you're so inclined.

No matter your level of familiarity with entertaining, from novices to dinner party queens, everyone will find something useful and delicious in this cookbook. I can't wait to host a grazing gathering!

Thank you to @NetGalley and @chroniclebooks for allowing me to preview Table & Spreads: A Go-To Guide for Beautiful Snacks, Intimate Gathering, and Inviting Guests by Shelly Westerhausen Worcel with Wyatt Worcel. @vegetarianventures

This book caught my eye because my daughter and I have recently become interested in putting together some boards for appetizers for our last couple of get togethers. I love scrolling through the ideas on IG. My favorite boards are the ones they put together for a theme.

This is the perfect book for the person who loves to entertain small and large gatherings. The first half of the book is about planning and organizing for your gathering. Everything you will need from color coordinating flowers and napkins to stemware to providing appropriate background music this book has all the information you need. What I really liked about the book is the timeline for building the spread. It is a step by step outline to being prepared for your guests. The second half of the book takes some timelines with everything you need from wine pairing to styling your board to practical suggestions and some amazing recipes. There are some wonderful everyday party ideas and Holiday ideas. What I liked about this part of the book was the recipes. There are some new recipes that I have not seen before for dips. The photography is beautiful and I liked the layout of the book. It is very easy to follow. Tables & Spreads will be available May 4th, 2021.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

5*

Beautiful book--while I received a digital copy from the publisher, I will be ordering the hardcover! Shelly Westerhausen covers the gamut from shopping lists, timelines, equipment, decorations, drinks, and recipes.

I can't wait to be able to put her advice for spreads to use. This book would also make a great hostess or housewarming gift.

5/5 stars

Genre: Cooking

Description:

Casual, Vibrant, Delicious

Choose from a dazzling collection of thirty beautiful, well-crafted boards, whether you’re serving a group of two or ten. Try Catalonian Summer with romesco, charred green onions, anchovy toasts, and Manchego for an intimate outdoor gathering. Make a dinner of the Korean BBQ platter with bulgogi-style beef, lettuce cups, gochujang dipping sauce, and kimchi. Or go straight for the sweets with a dessert-like S’mores Without a Campfire. Plus, check out the party-size boards for your next holiday or celebration.

Start with the four principles for creating the right board for any occasion: Looks matter stay flexible make it fun to embrace store-bought components You’ll find that every meal becomes one worth sharing.

Pros:

- Pictures are vibrant and appealing.
- Gives a lot of information on how to not only create a beautiful table spread but also how to successfully host a get-together.
- The recipes are simple and easy to follow.

Cons:

- None.

Would I recommend it?

Yes! I can't wait to use it once it's safe to host again!

Pros: With charcuterie boards being incredibly popular (at parties and on Instagram), I've felt inadequate in my skills of creating a visually pleasing spread. The cover of this book caught my attention, and I think it will catch the attention of many readers who are browsing the bookstore or library. The photos in this book are lovely and inspiring. I love the idea of a grazing table--cheese, crackers, etc are my favorite foods! I think this book would make a great shower, housewarming, or hostess gift. I appreciate that any budget can adapt to the ideas in this book. I also loved the checklists, timelines, and infographics and appreciated the suggested menus and recipes.

Cons: None that I can think of. This book exceeded my expectations. I expected lots of beautiful photographs, and this books has those but also offers lots of practical advice and is inclusive of many diets.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the opportunity to read this book!

Short Review: Beautiful photographs and easy to follow instructions make this an excellent cookbook to add to your shelf.

This cookbook appealed to me because it seems to capitalize on the current charcuterie board craze. The cover is appealing, and the same bright, colorful food photos grace the inside of the book. It's structured in two parts - the first covers the logistics of building a spread, and the second gives recipes and ideas for different occasions and holidays.

A spread is defined in the book as "a series of platters, boards, and servingware that are grouped together by a common theme to create an abundant display of food."

Part 1: Building a Spread
Section 1: The Spread - I love the 'Five Qs to Start' that help you decide on what direction to go with your spread. I also love the timeline, complete with checklist, for preparing your spread. Great for organization and planning! Also includes a table for portioning, a table of cheese knives, a glass guide (what shape to use for what), illustrations of different cheese cuts (the illustrations are cute!), illustrated examples of how to style meat (!!!), vegetable cuts, an illustrated garnish table, and a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' flow chart for deciding on what to include in your spread! This interactive format is typical of the entire book. It almost feels like a workbook, which is great for party planning.
Section 2: The Basic
Section 3: Adding the Wow Factor
Section 4: Anatomy of a Spread

Part 2: Recipes, Boards, & Tables
Section 1: Keeping it Casual
Section 2: Interactive Spreads
Section 3: Holiday Showstoppers

My favorite themes/recipes are the Birthday Breakfast Nacho Buffet and the School's Out Summer Limeade Party.

There are more tables, illustrations, and checklists than I can list. This is a great book that covers all the details that you'd need to prepare a fun and impressive spread. I can see this enjoyed by a beginner cook who wants to be able to create elegant spreads without lots of advanced cooking, while I can also see it benefitting a more experienced entertainer in need of new ideas and detailed organization plans. It would look beautiful on your bookshelf or as a coffee table book.

First of a kind for me on how to set a table and the foods for a festive spread. I’ve heard of pickety bits platter but this book goes all out.

What did I like? I can’t imagine that there isn’t something here for everyone! Platters are a fun way to celebrate and this book gives you a spread for every reason! Five stars.... gorgeous book!

Would I recommend or buy? I’d buy...it’s a gorgeous book with a ton of recipes for everyone. Like I said I can’t imagine the wide variety of people who could love this book due to recipes or entertaining. Five stars!

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!

Tables & Spreads made me want to throw a beautiful, elaborate dinner party immediately.

The first half of the book serves as a dictionary of sorts for everything you need to know about how to put together a table spread or edible spread. I found parts of it fairly intuitive, but the author articulates this at the beginning, suggesting readers jump around in part one as they see fit.

Part two of the book is an assortment of hosting themes with the recipes and styling notes needed to execute said theme. The accompanying photographs were beautiful and helpful. I’m especially excited to try the Christmas Morning Dutch Baby Party recipes (though I don't intend to wait until Christmas morning)

I think this book would make a lovely housewarming gift, especially if paired with a cheeseboard or set of wine glasses.

Thank you NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC.

We all know table spreads are the up and coming party trend. Fantastic book loaded with beautiful pictures, appetizing recipes and the perfect tips!! Cannot wait to get a hard copy of this book. The new must have!

This is an excellent guide on how to make delicious recipes and style them. The book is divided into two parts. Part one covers how to build a spread and is further broken down into four sections including The Spread, The Basics, Adding the Wow Factor, and the Anatomy of a Spread.

In these sections the reader will learn the basics of building a Spread such as portioning a Spread; the essentials for your table spread ( serving dishes, shape, size; utensils: cheese knives, ladle, serving spoons, and so on). There are also tips for styling food including balancing flavors and textures🍱.

Another chapter is dedicated to cheese 🧀 and cheese cuts; meat, vegetables; fresh & dried fruits, and so on as well as how to store them.

Another chapter presents color themes and tips on choosing the right color for your table. It includes a color chart. This chapter also includes a range of choices for tablecloths, flowers, and candles 🕯 🌺

The fourth section covers the anatomy of a Spread as well as types of Spreads such as Abundance Spread, Family Style, Drink Station, and so on.

Part two covers Recipes, Boards & Tables; and themes and consists of three sections. This includes how to keep a Casual Spread, Interactive Spreads, and Holiday Showstoppers. They are twenty-one board themes with over sixty recipes in this section. Each theme includes stylings notes, recipes, flavor combination ideas, and a drink pairing suggestion.

Drinks include Quick Harissa Bloody Mary Mix, Smoky Carrot Bloody Mary Mix 🍸 🍹 ( Interactive Spreads) and Classic Dry Martini 🍸, Cranberry-Orange Syrup ( Holiday Showstoppers)

Casual Spreads includes The Standard (Spicy Cantaloupe Jam; Pickles Zucchini Ribbon; Herby Brown Sugar Nuts
The Lunch Spread: Roasted Leek, Apple & Blue Cheese Farro Salad; Cacio e Pepe 7-Minute Eggs
Interactive Spreads: Savory Focaccia Party and Ladies' Night Lettuce Wraps; Falafel Mezze Spread.

The last section covers Holiday Showstoppers such as Birthday Breakfast Nacho Buffet (Sour Cream & Chive Scrambled Eggs; Loaded Guacamole; Poblano & Pepita Verse Sauce.

There are also meat🥩 pairing suggestions throughout the book suggested by the author’s partner.

The book is accompanied by mouthwatering photos and easy-to-follow instructions on how to create your delicious Spreads. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Shelly Westerhausen Worcel and Wyatt Worcel; NetGalley, and Chronicle Books for the ARC of this book.

This book contains everything one would need to know to put together a killer get together which, after a year of pandemic-related quarantine, is something we can all look forward to. The information is clear, well put together, well illustrated, and informative. The recipes are healthy but delicious. The planning checklists and ideas make all of this accessible. All in all, a truly solid book of its kind.