Relaunching My First Book, Entertaining

November 4, 2025

Relaunching My First Book, Entertaining

It's out on bookstore shelves today - the relaunch of my very first book, Entertaining.

Entertaining was first released in December 1982. And now after nearly 43 years, it's out again, identical to the first edition with all 300 recipes and 450 full-color photographs. The book is a comprehensive guide to entertaining, featuring my ideas for everything from planning tips to cooking delicious dishes perfectly suited for every occasion. To promote this special book, I am conducting a book signing today at Williams Sonoma in New York City. Yesterday's book signing was at Terrain in Westport, Connecticut. I also hosted a podcast inviting several of those who helped me create Entertaining - be sure to listen to that show tomorrow wherever you get your podcasts. I'm so excited about the reprinting of Entertaining - whether you have an original version or not, you will love this book too!

Enjoy these photos.

: Here it is, the 2025 relaunched edition of my very first book, Entertaining. It is exactly like the original with all the great recipes, tips, and ideas everyone loves from the 1982 version. It’s in bookstores today and available to order online! Start your holiday shopping!

: Yesterday’s events were held at Terrain’s Westport, Connecticut store, just an hour outside New York City. It’s one of two – the other Terrain is in Glenn Mills, Pennsylvania.

: Terrain offers an assortment of seasonal plants and items for the home and garden. It also has indoor-outdoor nurseries, and a cafe.

: The store is filled with beautiful items from stone garden ornaments and urns…

: … to holiday décor.

: These tables and shelves are filled with ribbons, ornaments, and lights.

: There are also lots of items for children – books, nature-inspired kits, and toys.

: On one table are items I personally selected – Martha’s Must Haves for the holidays. They include the Tree of Life Menorah, the Aged Iron Cluster Taper Candle Holder Dish, Golden Tinsel, a Twinkling Vine Bell, an Ivory Ceramic Faux Bois Vase, a Leafy Rattan Hinged Tree Collar, a Habit Form Tray, 15-inch Silver Beaded Trees – all available at Terrain.

: I also selected these Faux Garden Leaves for a touch of metallic shine to an arrangement.

: And these Candy Cane Glass Side Plates – handmade in Turkey especially for Terrain.

: Some of you may even remember this book cover of me at my Turkey Hill home wearing Laura Ashley. And I still have all those dishes and goblets.

: I was excited to host a podcast with several of those who worked on Entertaining with me. It was so great to see this group again and find out what they were all up to now.

: Among those on the podcast was Corey Tippin, who was part of my catering team and later returned as a stylist for my television show and magazine.

: It was so great to hear from all those who participated. You will love their memories. Be sure to listen to this nostalgic podcast.

: Also from my catering team – Louise Felix, and Vicky Sloat, who started working with me at my first shop, the Market Basket, after seeing an ad in the local Westport paper.

: Remember Necy on the right? She was one of my first housekeepers and later a talented flower arranger and cook. She was also on my podcast and came with her daughter Clarissa.

: My nieces Kristina Christiansen and Sophie Herbert Slater were also there for the event.

: After the podcast, I did a book signing at the front of Terrain.

: 125 guests attended the event and purchased books.

: Terrain gifted me with this gorgeous and large Medinilla magnifica. As the story goes, 13 years ago, when I first visited Terrain, I bought one of these plants – and they remembered. this specimen is even more special because it was grown by my friends Dennis Schrader and Bill Smith of Landcraft Environments.