Dinners and Luncheons: Novel Suggestions for Social Occasions

A practical guide written in the early 20th century. This work provides an array of ideas for hosting and entertaining through various menu suggestions, recipes, and hosting tips that cater specifically to social gatherings. Its primary audience is the busy American hostess looking to ease the complexities involved in planning and executing successful dining experiences. The opening of the book sets the stage by emphasizing the essential elements to make any dinner enjoyable: good taste, judgment, and harmony among guests. It outlines how anxiety on the part of the host can detract from the overall experience and includes insightful advice on combining guests harmoniously at the table. In this section, Pierce also delves into practical aspects of dinner planning, such as the significance of menu selection and the proper serving of dishes, all while aiming to empower hosts to create a delightful ambiance and memorable occasions.