The Outdoor Table: Recipes for Living and Eating Well

Living in Hawai‘i gives food stylist, designer, and photographer O’Neil (Art of Picnics) a distinct advantage when it comes to outdoor entertaining. Here she covers all of the logistics of hosting outdoor gatherings, including invitations, table settings, food safety, space prep, and seasonality. An extensive section on grazing boards provides a great jumping-off point and showcases her style. Recipes are not fussy, but they are sophisticated and will lead readers to many “Why didn’t I think of that?” moments. The dishes lend themselves well to alfresco dining and are perfect for bringing to a summer potluck. Beautiful photography provides another motivation to convene friends and family and get outdoors; most importantly, the illustrations help readers visualize how such gatherings can come together. O’Neil’s tone is laid back, so all of this beauty imparts inspiration, not intimidation. Pick this to liven up your library’s entertainment and outdoor dining offerings.