A Table for Friends: The Art of Cooking for Two or Twenty

"[A] collection of foolproof, elegant recipes [that] calls to mind Nigella Lawson at her best." -Vogue

Over 100 simple and wonderfully inviting recipes that allow you to relax with your loved ones while the cooking takes care of itself.

Drawing on years of cooking for more people than it ever seemed possible to squeeze into her kitchen, Sunday Times columnist and cookery author Skye McAlpine shares the secrets to her stylish and relaxed way of hosting, setting you up for success whether you're cooking for two or twenty.

A Table for Friends has recipes for every occasion, from last-minute weeknight dinners to large celebratory gatherings. Skye's recipes fall into four chapters, Stars, Sides, Sweets and Extras, which allow you to intuitively plan a simple and impressive menu, and, because juggling oven space is one of the biggest challenges when cooking for a crowd, each chapter is ingeniously organized into Throw Together, On The Hob and In The Oven so your menu works best for your mood, your kitchen and your time. Alongside these beautiful, deliciously do-able recipes comes Skye's practical, fuss-free guidance for hosting a stress-free gathering, from what to cook in advance to how to lay the table beautifully, allowing you to step out of the kitchen and relax with your guests.

For a super-easy roast why not try her Honey-roast poussins, Butter-&-sage roast pumpkin, Saffron fennel, A really good chicory salad with creamy mustard dressing and Winter fruit & mascarpone tart? Or for a wonderfully soothing pasta supper, Tagliatelle with gorgonzola, pear & walnut and Chocolate chestnut meringue cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

This is a cookbook to cook from: a helpful, approachable, down-to-earth kitchen companion that will give you the confidence to gather friends around your table and the inspiration to do so more often.

Skye McAlpine is a cookery writer who believes that food tastes best when shared with others. She is the author of four books, A Table in Venice, A Table for Friends, A Table Full of Love and The Christmas Companion. Skye writes a monthly column for The Sunday Times and has contributed to publications from around the world, including vogue.com, Vanity Fair, Corriere della Sera and Conde Naste Traveller. In 2021 she launched her own created range of homeware, Skye McAlpine TAVOLA. Skye divides her time between London and Venice with her husband, Anthony, and her two sons, Aeneas and Achille.

@skyemcalpine