There are loads of spreads in this title. They cover Breakfast & Brunch; Lunch & dinner; Special Occasions; Holidays; Desserts, and Drinks.

The book opens with some helpful sections as, for example, How to Use This Book, What You’ll Need, and Planning. Then come the spreads beginning with a Continental Breakfast that includes cinnamon swirled coffee cake, mini banana muffins, blueberry streusel quick bread, and mini cinnamon rolls. These recipes are followed by suggestions for accompaniments. Some of the recipes that follow are familiar crowd pleasers; there are soups and sandwiches, tacos, pizzas and more. Holiday spreads include one for a family Valentine’s Dinner, an Easter Brunch and more.

This cookbook has many illustrations that may well inspire those who are planning gatherings…once we are again able to do so.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Spectacular Spreads by Maegan Brown is a feast for your eyes! This book is stunning. Once you get past the gorgeous photos, the advice and recipes are just as good. There are ideas and spreads for everyday, special occasions, and entertaining galore. Everything is laid out and planned for you, making it so easy to use and create your own spreads. I can’t wait to try so many of these! This is a cookbook you definitely need to add to your shelf.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

Pardon the pun but I ‘devoured’ this book in one sitting

I love how the book is easily laid out with all the information you will need and the basics covered such as planning and the items you will need to lay on a spread.

There are some fantastic spreads such as breakfast, lunch and dinner, special occasions, holiday, dessert and drinks.

I was really interested in the tea party spread and of course the holiday spreads with Halloween and Christmas Eve snacks being my favourite.

I can’t wait to put some of these to the test with my family it really adds something to a Bland party table!

Coming soon…27 September 2021

“Spectacular Spreads”
by Maegan Brown

DYI Party & Meal Planning Made Easy for All Possible Occasions

In her latest book,“Spectacular Spreads,” Maegan Brown presents more than 250 scrumptious looking and sounding recipes; suggests hundreds of foods and ingredients to pair; and offers unlimited ideas for preparation and presentation to make hosting fabulous buffet meals daily for the family, as well as for special occasions, parties and holidays throughout the year.

This is a beautifully designed and well thought-through cookbook, hostessing guide and party-planning reference that is a feast for the eyes and senses. Photos of numerous charcuterie boards, buffets, cookouts, party-theme spreads and cocktail bar set-ups are colorfully and enticingly photographed and presented.

The entire family will enjoy reading and referencing “Spectacular Spreads” because there are ideas for everyone and almost every possible occasion. Brown has thought of so many ideas and details, and most are simple and easy to execute. This book is well done, and is categorized into chapters by occasion and event.

The kids should especially enjoy the “make your own” pizza party ideas, as well as the Halloween and Valentine’s Day DIY buffet spreads. And the princess in every little and big girl alike will adore Brown’s suggestions for an elegant high tea with cream scones and cucumber finger sandwiches.

Of the terrific tips in Maegan Brown’s, “Spectacular Spreads,” a few of my favorites include: her recommendations for complimentary cheeses, fruits, nuts and olives/pickles that work well on a charcuterie board; suggestions on quantities to prepare per portion per person for appetizers and meals; and thoughts that on a buffet, use butter instead of mayo on sandwiches to prevent fillings from making the bread soggy.

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The Book Maven’s Journal—Reviews for Word Connoisseurs

REVIEWER: J.Hunt
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


“Spectacular Spreads”
by Maegan Brown
Genre: Non-Fiction | Cooking, Food & Wine
Publication Date: 27 September 2021
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point

With Sincerest Appreciation to NetGalley, Author Maegan Brown, and Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point for Providing this Advance Reader’s Copy for Review.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful book of spreads!

While some of them don't feel super practical, like having people pick omelet, pizza, or toast toppings that may not be as good once they've cooled, it's a nice concept. There are also some unique recipes, like mixing multiple sauces/condiments in a tortilla that aren't really for me.

That being said the pictures are beautiful and the book breaks down how to make the foods for each spread. There's sweet and savory spreads. They don't feel super practical given the pandemic, but it's funny for a night in.

Overall an interesting find.

This was a great book about spreads for parties and get-togethers and I loved every single one of them. I don't think I would make many of these, though, because it seems like a lot of work for some of them.

This book draws the eye in and perks the appetite with its lovely pictures. Although many of the ideas are very simple and ones that we could all think of, it's still nice to have the inspiration. The book is divided into various sections according to occasion and I particularly like this. Definitely a book that I would consider buying for myself or as a present.

This is so beautifully photographed! The spreads are visually stunning and look delicious. The variety of recipes is abundant and they're all accessible and appealing. This will make a great gift for any foodies and entertaining enthusiasts!

As much as I want my own copy, I really, really want my friends to get copies and then invite me to their parties. This is definitely next-level hosting and I would be so impressed to see any of the suggested spreads at an event.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

I love making charcuterie boards and spreads so I was curious to see what this book had to offer. The cover was gorgeous so I expected beautiful food spreads, and that is exactly what the cookbook contained. I have a few books like this at home, but I like to get ideas outside of the box. I thought Spectacular Spreads had some innovative spreads that I haven't seen before; more specifically I liked the omelet bar, the top your own mac 'n' cheese, and the bruschetta bash. I definitely think this is a book worth getting for creative ideas in the kitchen.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. What a selection of spreads and options for every event. Great ideas, well presented and photographed. A very useful resource for anyone who entertains.

Maeghan Brown aka The BakerMama is back with her second book "Spectacular Spreads." The book is your go to guide to putting on a spread whether it's for a lazy weekend brunch, a dinner party or a festive feast.

The first thing you notice as you flip through the book is the mouthwatering photography. It seems each spread is more delicious looking than the last and you'll be finding reasons to schedule social events so you can create a spread of your own. Actually there is no need as pretty much any spread in the book can be adapted for a family dinner.. There is a massive selection of recipes to choose from with in the book and they will appeal to anyone regardless of your skills in the kitchen - some recipes only need assembling too, so provide a quick and easy solution if you are in a rush.

I really loved the structure of the book, set in to sections by time of the day and by occasion. There are full on buffet style meals, or classy appetizers and even recipes for cocktails to accompany your food. here is a handy guide to what equipment you need and typically how much food to allow per person

Some products aren't available in the UK but could easily be replaced with similar items from our supermarkets.

We tried a few of the different spreads and found that our kids loved eating together in this way and creating their own dishes - the top your own macaroni cheese was a firm favourite as was the hot chocolate bar. I, for one cannot wait to make a Biscoff Bourbon cocktail and try our the Christmas Eve spread. I can see a weekly spread dinner being a new tradition in our house. It's so good, it's made me want to buy the first book "Beautiful Boards" to sit alongside "Spectacular Spreads" whilst I rustle up a feast.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and Negalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Maegan Brown for the ARC of Spectacular Spreads. Great book with many creative ideas for serving small and large groups when entertaining. Perfect reference book to keep on hand when planning your next get-together! A bonus factor about this collection is the recipe/board ideas are for all meals not just appetizer/cocktail hour. Very creative ideas!

Gorgeous photography and easy, delicious recipes. The visuals alone made me hungry and longing to entertain.

This is a beautiful book with a variety of suggested spreads for every occasion - I particularly loved the Christmas one with the candy canes made out of tomato and cheese. I would recommend this to anyone and will definitely be referring to it for my next occasion

Loved this beautifully photographed book! So many different spreads for having fun at home with the family and more lavish spreads for entertaining. There are ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special occasions, such as hosting a Super Bowl party, a child’s birthday party, even a fun sleepover spread.

This book is so beautifully written, it is full of colour and makes me desperate for one of the spreads! The information is laid out very easily, it covers all bases including the basics such as planning and ingredients/items required for chosen spread. The author covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, special occasions and holiday occasions. The author even explains how to display drinks. My favourite was by far Halloween or Christmas eve - purely because it is my favourite time of the year.

This is a book I would use time and time again and one I would love as a hard copy to display on my bookshelf! This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Great dishes for many people

Content:
The Spectacular Spreads book is a great cookbook with more than 250 recipes. The many photos show how to combine the dishes well. So you conjure up great boards with many small snacks Uma I get many heads full.

Opinion:
The book includes many great tips and tricks and I totally love the pictures. They are very inspiring and it makes you want to host a party with lots of people again. And not only on holidays, but just for a brunch or a dinner together. I bought the predecessor directly, because I am so excited about the book.

Conclusion:
One of the greatest and most inspiring books I've read lately with lots of creative and delicious ideas. Therefore, there is of course 5 of 5 stars from me.

What a gorgeous book. And I didn't do any research before I dove in and this book was so much more than I could have ever anticipated. I thought this book would be confined to the cheese board and maybe go a little outside the box, but no way, this book goes for true spreads and I loved it.

It was so creative how the author incorporated recipes while also sticking to the spread theme. There were spreads in all of the sections and recipes from all over that I am hoping to make in the near future.

While I read this book on netgalley, I will definitely be purchasing this book for myself and others as it is such a unique cookbook that can be used in so many different ways.

WOW! What an absolutely spectacular book! Maegan has created a wonderful guide with tips and advice to serve up some brilliant spreads. As the regular host in my friendship group and a food blogger I'm always looking at ideas for beautiful platters and these are fantastic. I love how the book gives plenty of ideas for large sizes and you can easily adapt these for smaller groups or preferences. A lot of the items would be easy to find in the UK, or an equivalent, so you can really replicate these or use the suggestions for changes. Including tips on time frames for each platter on when you can make things in advance (a simple key to stress free entertaining I find!) and also what to do with leftovers - a common problem when you like to make sure people won't go hungry!
I can't wait to try some of these ideas, the waffle bar, top your own Mac & Cheese are top of my list, although they all sound delicious! The seasonal special boards are a real showstopper and I can't wait to try a Halloween and Christmas spectacular spread!

Maegan Brown, the Baker Mama, is back with Spectacular Spreads-50 Amazing Food Spreads for Any Occasion, the follow-up to her wildly popular Amazon editors choice, Number One best-selling cookbook, Beautiful Boards-50 Amazing Snacks for Any Occasion.

In Spectacular Spreads, Brown takes the charcuterie craze to a whole new level.

With a collection of 50 themed spreads, there is something for everyone. From a simple family movie night, or waffles on a weekend morning, to a festive New Year's Eve gala with friends, Spectacular Spreads is a blueprint for a meal with something extra.

Tips, tricks and recipes are included, as well as Maegan Brown's encouragement along the way. Each themed spread has a gorgeous full color photograph that allows you to either duplicate the look, or to use as a springboard for your own imagination.

It's that encouragement from Brown that I think sets this book apart. She makes it easy for you to gather everything you need for success, along with ideas for it making it uniquely yours. Don't like this type of plate? No problem, use those you love. In love with your aunt's brownie recipe? Please bake up a batch! The best cookbook authors take you on a guided journey with help to bolster your confidence along the way.

Most of all, Brown wants you to enjoy your time in the kitchen, to enjoy your meals with your family and friends, all the while making memories of special times spent together.

A must have for any entertainer. Spectacular spreads is like the Swiss Army knife of party food.

First let me say I’m not big on hosting, but I can’t resist a good spread of food which is what drew me to this title. I realize the market for this book is more the kind of people who host parties on the reg, and it’s definitely a home run for that crowd.

The spreads are varied enough that you can find a killer one for any type of party you might be having, and the spreads I assembled (and ate way too much of) were delicious.

If you’re going to have company over soon, don’t come unprepared. Buy spectacular spreads and knock it out of the park!

Who needs a charcuterie board when you can make a whole spread?!? My word these are so FUN and look so cool. There’s every day kind of spreads (think baked potato spread), special occasion spreads (Valentine’s day etc), and dessert spreads.

I cannot wait to make the Halloween spread for my kids. This will be a memory they will always talk about for sure.

Boards are so much fun and so tasty, but every time I try to put one together it comes out looking so amateurish. Thanks to this wonderful book, I think I will be more successful in the future. There are so many clever and easy to follow ideas here. It would make a great gift for a friend or family member who enjoys cooking and entertaining.

Don’t read this book if you are hungry because you will be starving looking at these photos. I have to say this is one of the most inspiring cookery books I have ever read. It makes you want to copy most of the spreads straight away. You will be inviting people off the streets just to have an excuse to make these platters! The photography is excellent and most of the recipes look straight forward …… IF you live in the USA.! There are several ingredients which will be difficult if not impossible to find in the UK. But there are so many recipes here that I am sure you will find enough to satisfy your needs. So many occasions and themes are covered that you will find something to create whatever your event. Only one negative in my opinion and that is a personal safety bug bear - fruit skewers are made for a children’s party using whole grapes . That is a definite no-no in my book. Grapes should always at least be cut in half if excited children are involved.

Is there anybody here who does not like spreads? Not even a tiny bit? I for one absolutely love them and I'm always one to try out new recipes. Spectacular Spreads by Maegan Brown opened my eyes to so many new and delicious ideas! I can't wait to try them all.

With useful tips, great planning advice and the list of spread essentials, this cookbook offers the perfect recipes for everyday spreads for all kinds of events. From early breakfast and brunch to midnight snacks. As a big brunch lover myself I'm going to try and make my next family brunch look as good as the pictures in this book! Why have I never come up with the idea of making breakfast tacos before? Spectacular Spreads has a beautiful layout with clear instructions and easy-to-follow recipes! You can tell how much time the author spent on this and creating delicious recipes for us to try out at home. No matter if for a birthday party, a holiday event or even just a normal family dinner.

This book is amazing! Perfect for entertaining! It includes recipes to make with the boards, and the pictures are stunning!

The spreads in the book are grouped into chapters on breakfast & brunch, lunch & dinner, special occasions, holidays, desserts, and drinks. The spread ideas list how many people it will serve, special supplies/equipment needed, recipes, and things that can be made or done ahead. Some of the spreads are more simple (i.e. a parfait bar) and some have lots of elements. The book is filled with lots of great ideas, photos, and recipes. This is a great book for anyone who enjoys entertaining or serving food in a spread style.

I absolutely love this book. As a person who struggles to decide what to pick from the menu at a restaurant because what I really want is a bit of 3 or 4 things, this is the perfect way to entertain! I love what I cal a picky plate for dinner, I mean who doesn’t?!
I think it’s great the way the spreads are themed and that it tells you how many people it should serve and all the things you need, from ingredients, any special equipment and any extras to go with the recipes.
I could see me using elements of this book regularly too and not just for entertaining.
I would definitely recommend this cook book to everyone..
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

What a gorgeous book? Aptly named because I loved the gorgeous pictures. I’m having a birthday party and I can not wait to try some of these gorgeous ensemble of dishes!

What did I like? The book is sectioned by theme or events and all the gorgeous pics are filled by how to obtain that spread. It has tips, tricks, and even lets you know what can be made ahead of time …to save time. I thought many of the ideas were crafty and very cute. I’ve seen people make spreads before but this really is one of a kind!

Would I recommend or buy? What’s great about spreads is that most of this stuff can be easy leftovers. It really has some spectacular ideas! If I ran a bed or breakfast or had a large family. Even easier you can size down the spread for just yourself and your friends. There are so many to try as well. Something really for everyone! Five stars! Really enjoyed it!

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

Wow! Spectacular Spreads takes entertaining to the next level. This book is all about taking any meal and creating an experiencing around it for your guests. This creates some excitement while also taking the burden off of the host.

The photos and spreads depicted in this book are inspiring and visually appealing. I love that each spread is a balance of some recipes + store bought add-ons that make every spread attainable to home cooks and hosts of every level.

The book includes spreads for the following:
Breakfast and Brunch
Lunch and Dinner Spreads
Special Occasions
Holiday Spreads
Dessert Spreads
Drink Spreads

If you love to host, this book is for you!

I am so happy I found this book. This is book I have needed all my life. This will be a book that I buy as a gift for so many people that I know who love entertaining or have a lot of family/friends gatherings. Page after page of detailed pictures of entertaining themed food layout tables with recipes, for every kind of entertaining party you might be having. I am so inspired by every page with ideas for food layouts that I never ever thought of. I am going to be the hit of the next family gathering we have. There is even a section on drinks, hot chocolate, smoothie bars.

Who doesn’t experience mouthwatering delight when presented with a spectacular spread? Meagan has created the ultimate collection of sumptuous spreads you could wish for, each one planned with perfection and displayed in gloriously tempting photos. A joy to leaf through, with a host of ideas for every occasion and easy to follow recipes which will suit all skill levels. I love the elements of sharing and DIY assembly of feasts she encourages, which adds to the fabulous experience of enjoying food with family and friends. An inspiration send out invites to treat and indulge your loved ones! This is a must have book for my shelf!

Spectacular spread includes a large selection of meal plans for every occasion you could think of. The book is beautiful presented with mouth watering photos. It includes various recipes to ensure you can replicate the amazing spreads presented. The recipes are easy to follow and do not require a million different ingredients. They are also aimed at the every day cook rather than intimidating those who read them. The book is easy to follow and set out for very easy reading. I will definitely be assembling many of these spreads to entertain my guests. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I adored this book! Every recipe seems doable, and every spread looks amazing! I can't wait to host my next gathering and use the wonderful ideas from this book! Highly recommended!

This is a beautiful book filled with beautiful foods laid out in incredible ways. I was so excited when I saw this book. I love entertaining and creating foods. This book is the best of both worlds. So many times you will see a food lay out and they only want to tell you how to make the food. Not only do they give you recipes to make the incredible foods but also help you with how to lay it out. Charcuterie boards are very popular now and this book takes that up a notch. It's not just cheese and crackers it's hardier foods. They give you lay outs for any occasion and for any holiday you can think of. But why wait for a holiday why not create one of these boards for a plain Thursday night with the family. I can't wait to get my copy of this book.

Spectacular Spreads is a fantastic collection of ideas for all sorts of parties and family dinners. If you want to spice up your meals or are hesitant about party planning then this is a great book for you! Personally, I get overwhelmed by choice when it comes to throwing parties and tend to over buy but this book really helps you break down what you need while giving you enough freedom to add your own flare to a spread. Once parties become more common again, I will definitely be using ideas from this book to entertain my guests!

This book left me desperate to have a reason to make a spread and also starving. This was a fab idea for a book giving you ideas and inspiration for how to create a spread for any number of different occasions. It is suitable for people of all culinary abilities as it has recipes as well as just ideas of things you can purchase for your spread. This is a perfect gift for the hostess in your family.