With a foreword by Art Smith.

As the title suggests, this book is about gatherings. It's about getting together with the people you care about most and enjoying good food with good company. Whether it's a simple supper in your own kitchen, a festive tree-trimming party at holiday time, a family birthday celebration, or a Deep South brunch, Helen Puckett DeFrance shows you how to entertain easily and with flair.

As DeFrance points out, you don't have to be a fabulous cook to entertain successfully. Great parties can be created with the humblest of foods or artfully assembled from a collection of more elaborate provisions. It's the fun and fellowship that make a successful party, not tolling away in the kitchen for days on end to impress your guests. As a host, more of your time is better spent creating a welcoming atmosphere and planning for the enjoyment of family and friends.

In this sequel to her first book, At Home Café, Helen DeFrance teaches you to do just that. She provides 17 menus and more than 125 tried-and-true, delicious, and easy-to-follow recipes (all tested by the acclaimed Viking Cooking School). Each of the menus suggests a theme, such as a Neighborhood Gathering Picnic (featuring Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders, Cornbread Salad, and Front Porch Lemonade), a Game Night Potluck (with Old-Fashioned Lasagna, Spaghetti Pie, and Caramel Brownies), or My Favorite Tea Party (with Cucumber-Mint Sandwiches, Chocolate Chip Scones, and Coconut Lemon Tartlets).