The Book of Hors D'Oeuvres and Canapes

Rating:
Summary: Style over substance
Review: Book cover is glossy(front and back). Pages are thick, glossy and heavy weight. Pictures, although color, do not appear to have been arranged by a professional food stylist...assumed in this era. Book gives ingredients and measurements in both European and American formats (grams vs. ounces). Comparing this book to other titles avaliable in market place today, book is too expensive for what you get. Glitzy buy vacuous.

Rating:
Summary: Purchase Price vs. Content...Bad Value
Review: Book cover is glossy(front and back). Pages are thick, glossy and heavy weight. Pictures, although color, do not appear to have been arranged by a professional food stylist...assumed in this era. Book gives ingredients and measurements in both European and American formats (grams vs. ounces). Comparing this book to other titles avaliable in market place today, book is too expensive for what you get. Glitzy buy vacuous.

Rating:
Summary: not for the novice!
Review: I received this book as a Christmas gift a few days ago and have not been able to put it down since! I agree with the writer from California that it is certainly not for the new cook, but as a part-time caterer, I have finally found the ultimate source for entertaining. There are no definite cooking times listed, and it's taken for granted that the reader is familiar with basic techniques (like for preparing pastries and mousse). If you're up to the challenge, the results will be spectacular and your friends will be amazed. The photographs are beautiful and inspiring!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book if you are in the catering business.
Review: The Book of Hors D'Oeuvres and Canapes is an excellent book for the professional caterer, but is certainly not meant for the average or even above average cook. When I received the book, I was entranced by the stunning food presentations. On closer inspection I realized that the work involved to actually create the dishes would overwhelm anyone who had not gone to cooking school. Also, the portions are huge. Each recipe makes an average of 60 hors d'oeuvres or canapes. If the author ever makes a book for the lay person, I would be the first to buy it. But I will leave this one for the pros.

Rating:
Summary: Style over substance
Review: The glossy photos in this pricey book can help spark your imagination to come up with interesting-looking starters. I found several of the actual recipes, however, bland and uninteresting. Also beware that many of the photos are printed backwards or upside down so captions don't match. While sometimes pretty and pleasant, the look of the food is frequently rococo and overdone--the book doesn't follow its own advice to keep the presentation simple and the decorations in harmony with the setting. ...