cookbook

A cookbook titled Stunning Spreads with a cover featuring an elaborate platter of cheeses, grapes, apples, honey, nuts, crackers, and various colorful fruits and vegetables on a marble background—perfect inspiration for your own stunning spreads.

Stunning Spreads: Easy Entertaining with Cheese, Charcuterie, Fondue and Other Shared Fare

From baby showers to birthday brunches, Stunning Spreads offers more than 75 approachable appetizers paired with a variety of simple, seasonal cocktails such as spiked hot apple cider and watermelon frosé that are sure to be the showstopper at your next gathering. To round out the fun, I’ve included helpful hosting advice for preparing and serving everything from big boards to small bites.

Whether you’re entertaining family for the holidays, having friends over to watch the big game, or cozying up on the couch with your loved ones, hosting at home doesn’t have to be a hassle, and this book will prove it to you.

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About Stunning Spreads

For a long time, I was intimidated and overwhelmed by in-home entertaining. When it came to feeding guests, it was hard for me to achieve a balance between frantically getting stuck and stressed in the kitchen and just mailing it in by opening a bag of chips, popping a jar of salsa, and calling it a day.

It wasn’t until I learned to balance what I could make from scratch, what I could rely on from the store, plus a healthy dose of timing and what I’m going to call “artful arranging” (making things look nice and delicious and appealing on a plate or platter) that I gained confidence when it came to entertaining.

So, what is that perfect balance? I like to call it “easy entertaining.” Making delicious and beautiful spreads for your guests doesn’t have to be daunting, difficult, or time-consuming.

By making a few easy-to-follow, uncomplicated recipes ahead of time, and then mixing those things with a few high-quality, store-bought snacks and ingredients, you can create a stunning spread that both your guests, and you, can enjoy.

A stunning spread featuring a charcuterie board with sliced bread, figs, blueberries, brie with fruit and nuts, pistachios, apple slices, sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions in a bowl, and fresh rosemary sprigs.
A muffin tin filled with assorted snacks—perfect for learning how to make a cheese platter—included cheese cubes, meatballs, dips, tortilla chips, celery, carrot sticks, and pinwheel pastries on a marble surface.

Because after all, your guests are in your home to, guess what, spend time with you. The delicious food is an added bonus!

Stunning Spreads features seventy-five of my favorite recipes for easy entertaining. These approachable recipes covering everything from cheese and snack boards, to fondues, dips, snacks, appetizers, and cocktails are ones I make in my own kitchen all the time when we invite people over.

All of these recipes can be easily prepped and cooked ahead of time, so when guests arrive, the focus can be on them instead of the food.

And, most importantly, the host isn’t chained to the kitchen.

What I really wanted to do with this book was to show you that entertaining doesn’t have to be intimidating or overwhelming, and to give you the confidence to create delicious food for your family and friends.

in the press

Recipes in Stunning Spreads

Of course, I had to include some of my most popular blog posts in Stunning Spreads, including:

Reader reviews

  • Such a fun book with creative and easy to follow recipes. The recipes make creating a spread approachable and fun. The recipes for snacks, apps, etc come together very quickly and were unique and delicious. I’ve made 3 snacks from the book so far and all with glowing reviews from friends and family!
    Rebecca
  • This is a well done, unique and well thought out book. I am not a ‘cook’, but with Chrissie’s easy to follow directions (don’t skip the introduction) and the absolutely stunning pictures of the boards, you can’t go wrong! …A must have book in my kitchen!
    Dora D.

Want more easy entertaining ideas?

I love sharing seasonal appetizer and cocktail recipes, so if you’re looking for more hassle free hosting inspiration, check out my entertaining posts and subscribe to my email list!