BIG NIGHTDinners, Parties & Dinner Parties


Elevate your home entertaining with the ultimate guide to hosting unforgettable dinner parties and celebrations.

When Katherine Lewin opened up her first store—a dinner party shop—she had one goal: to help everyone make their meals at home feel a little bit more special. A little bit more joyful. A little bit Bigger. In her debut book, Katherine channels her New York City–based brick-and-mortar’s irresistible energy into a treasure trove of tips, tricks, and hosting essentials for every kind of Big Night. Learn how to Stop Worrying About Everything Matching and Just Set the Table; the step-by-step formula for discovering your (and your guests’) Perfect Martini; and the Cheese Plate of Dreams math of how many ounces to plan per person.

On top of these helpful sidebars—and in addition to more than 80 recipes for snacks, apps, mains, desserts, and cocktails—you’ll find full menus for 12 Bigger Nights to take you through every occasion, all year long. The first hint of sun in March calls for An Almost-Spring Thing, where you’ll serve ricotta toast with English pea pesto; in the peak of summer, treat everyone to an Italian Vacation Without Leaving the House, starring clam and corn pasta followed by lemon granita; when the leaves have turned, confidently plan The Best Friendsgiving, complete with the ultimate stuffing; and in the dead of winter, lure your friends over with A Noodle Soup to Get People Excited. From date night for two to pull-out-all-the-stops dinner parties to low-key weeknight hangs (delivery pizza encouraged—just make A Big Chopped Salad to go with), this hosting cookbook will help you find all the inspiration you need—and confidence you want—to make any and every night a Big Night.

Discover the joy of hosting stylish yet effortless parties with this comprehensive guide to memorable holiday gatherings and festive event menus. The ultimate host gift for your favorite party planner, this dinner party cookbook shows you how to make any evening feel like a special occasion through creative presentation, delicious party food, and a celebratory atmosphere.

Before she became the founder and CEO of Big Night, Katherine Lewin was a food writer and editor. She worked at The Infatuation for almost six years. She fell in love with New York City through its restaurants, eating incredible meals in packed dining rooms where it felt like anything could happen. The more time she spent in restaurants, the more she wanted to learn how to make her own dinner magic—the kind that comes from feeding people you love, and new friends, too.

“Modern, playful, and extremely pragmatic, this collection on entertaining will breathe life into dinner parties.” —Library Journal

“This book is a perfect expression of all that can be accomplished with a little effort and a lot of flexibility and joy. There is no one else I’d rather hear about entertaining from other than Katherine Lewin, who perfects the practice every day.”  —Dana Cowin, founder of Progressive Hedonist and former editor in chief of Food & Wine

“As a career dinner party host, I can confidently (and gleefully) confirm that Big Night is your no-stress, all-vibes guide to hosting the most beautifully delicious casual gatherings, giggly girls’ nights, and grand celebrations you can dream of.”  —Dan “Grossy” Pelosi, New York Times bestselling author of Let’s Eat

“The pages of this book are filled with smart and attainable menus for people who want to spend more time having great conversations around the table than stressing out in the kitchen . . . which is everyone—right?”  —Jess Damuck, author of Salad Freak and Health Nut

“More than a cookbook, Big Night is an education in hosting, with tricks, tips, and etiquette worthy of passing down through generations. It’s a manual for creating the perfect moment, thoughtful and thorough, clearly explained, and a true pleasure to peruse.”  —Sophie Lou Jacobsen, award-winning designer

“Big Night: Dinners, Parties & Dinner Parties is a back-pocket guide—complete with bartending tips, a not-fussy tablesetting formula, and 80-plus recipes that feed six or more—that will help you pull off these evenings with ease. Warning: Her curated list of go-to groceries (olive oil! dried beans! hot sauce!) will make you want to do some shopping, whether or not you have people coming over tonight.” —RealSimple

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