'This is a book about food and friendship, and cooking and love. It is meant for anyone who loves food and loves people, and believes that where the two meet, a kind of alchemy occurs.' Joanna Weinberg began her love affair with cooking when she was away at college, drooling down the line as her glamorous London-based sister Sam whispered salacious stories of extra virgin olive oil and fresh tarragon. She began to try out recipes on her friends, and, with the help of a communal oven and lots of cheap red wine, quickly realised that a great dinner was as much about people as it was about food - a fact that most cookbooks don't take into account. And so this book was born. Joanna, along with a characterful cast of family and friends, explores all the real ways we entertain: from a simple kitchen supper to a big birthday bash, from high tea with a gaggle of kids to a lazy summer afternoon's barbecue, she offers practical, sane ideas for how to cope with - even relish - gathering loved ones around your table.With style, wit and a collection of inspiring recipes, and beautifully illustrated throughout with colour photographs and line drawings, this book brings back the simple pleasures of cooking for friends.