INTRODUCTION

Welcome to my party! I’m so excited you showed up.

IN A LIFE FULL OF OBLIGATIONS and things we have to do, choosing to create special gatherings that bring our loved ones together at the table is more important than ever. Think about the best parties you’ve ever been to: If you’re anything like me, they’ve been at home (yours or someone else’s), with great food and drink, amazing people, and—more than anything—fun! Because if it’s not a good time, what’s the point, right?

Those parties may have seemed effortless, but we all know they take work to pull off in style. That’s where I come in! I’m so excited to share everything I’ve learned from a lifetime of entertaining. From the big flourishes to those tiny touches that take a party from good to great, I’ve collected it all right here. I want you to think of me as your personal party planner, filled with exciting, doable ideas that will make your party even more of a celebration.

I’ve always been a big believer in the power of parties. Parties have this magical, transformative ability to create a wonderful feeling of connectedness and happiness—it’s undeniable! I mean, isn’t it just the best when you arrive at a party and find yourself surrounded by familiar and new faces, lots of thoughtfully prepared food, great drinks, and the perfect music? It’s like being infused with joy! I think we all need to go to and throw more parties, because we all need more of this wonderfully positive feeling in our lives on the regular. Life is too short not to party.

I have a large family filled with cooks and people who take food seriously, so I got the taste for catering and hosting very early in life. Every weekend, my family and a select assortment of friends would get together to eat and drink, whether it was for a birthday, a christening, or just to be together. From the time I was seven years old, I’d help my parents get ready for their parties—the party prep would start midday on Saturday and go well into the night.