James Beard's Cookbook for Entertaining 1954

Full name: James Beard's Complete Cookbook for Entertaining 1954

Cover design: George Peter

Inside drawings: Harry Rosenbaum

From Wikipedia: James Andrews Beard (May 5, 1903 – January 23, 1985) was an American chef, cookbook author, teacher and television personality. Beard was a champion of American cuisine who taught and mentored generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts. His legacy lives on in twenty books, other writings and his foundation's annual James Beard awards.

This is one of my favorites of his books, in no small part for its wonderful design, and of course for its creative, clever, and exciting recipes. It has all the entertaining impulses that inspire me too—holidays, birthdays, cocktail get-togethers, foreign fare.

I've included some of the best below.

Here are the terrific covers.

Inside front cover. Don't forget the cocktail glasses.

Inside back cover. Extra credit for odd serving dishes and plates!

This buffet supper would be very hard to beat.

Can you imagine a party this swell-egant?

Cheese soufflé? Yes, please.

Remember the bit about odd serving dishes and plates?

Delicious ideas galore.

Sacré bleu! Que c'est délicieux!

Here comes Peter Cottontail . . .

Hey small-fry!!