Wild Women Throw a Party. Lynette Rohrer Shirk

      Foreword

      The best party advice I ever received came from two of the most fabulous wild women I have ever known. The first was from the beloved Sweet Potato Queen Jill Conner Browne who swears that you should “never wear panties to a party.” The other is from Lynette Rohrer Shirk, author of this book and a co-author of the fabulous Wild Women in the Kitchen, who wisely told me: “Always make sure the cooking wine is good enough to drink.” Once you know what to wear (or not) and what to drink (or not), the only things you need to get the party started are some trusty recipes and a shot of inspiration. That's where Wild Women Throw a Party comes in.

      This book is the ultimate good-time muse. With its sassy attitude, iron-clad recipes, and inspiring themes, it never fails to get me excited about planning a get-together. With parties like Peggy Guggenheim's Art Gallery Opening, Dorothy Parker's Cocktail Party, and Women of the Senate Poker Party to guide you, you'll be sure to offer an experience that's as intellectually and creatively stimulating as it is fabulously fun and delicious.

      Forget polishing the silver, timing the soufflé perfectly and mastering napkin origami. In this book, Lynette shares something that other cookbooks and entertaining books fail to understand—the best soirées do not spring from overly orchestrated labor or insane attention to detail. Good parties—great parties—spring wildly from unexpected combinations of interesting conversation, festive spirits, and delicious food simply prepared.

      While Wild Women Throw a Party bursts with attitude and joie de vivre, make no bones about it, Lynette is no slouch in the technique department. She's got all the snooty qualifications—world-class culinary training, 5-star restaurant experience, legions of A-list and celebrity fans—without any of the “I can cook better than you” condescension. Lynette appreciates a fine, hand-made French cheese, but you'll be just as likely to find a stick of Velveeta in her cupboard. And with her help you could make something delicious out of either.

      With Lynette's easy-to-follow methods and down-to-earth voice, Wild Women Throw a Party is like cooking alongside your best girlfriend with a glass of wine and an 80s mix tape playing in the background. She makes entertaining feel the way it should—effortless and fun.

      I confess that for my endorsement of this book, I was buttered up. Wild women know how to get what they want and in this case Lynette knew exactly how to curry my favor. I was plied with irresistible creations—dinner plate-sized almond torte cookies frosted in bittersweet chocolate, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies, and homemade nut brittle spiked with coffee beans, to name just a few of the treats that secured my commendations.

      —Ame Mahler Beanland