Bite by Bite: 100 Stylish Little Plates You Can Make for Any Party is the debut cookbook by Peter Callahan who has been in the catering business over 25 years and has catered for many well-known celebrities. Callahan’s cookbook is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach. Each appetizer recipe is beautifully presented with a full page color photograph. What makes this stand out from other cookbooks is the unique presentation of each appetizer. Most of the appetizers are miniature versions of common dishes, such as lasagna, pancakes, hot dogs, Caesar salad, and spaghetti and meatballs. Each appetizer is presented in an imaginative, visually stunning manner. The seemingly mundane dish of baked beans is presented in miniature bacon cups. Barbecue chicken is served on wooden skewers in a tray of wheatgrass. Lemonade is presented in hollowed out lemons with lemon candy sticks and straws. At the end of the book Callahan also has a chapter with appetizer menus for several different types of party themes such as “Untraditional Thanksgiving Dinner.” Each theme comes with helpful tips about planning and serving. No doubt if you had a party using these recipes and presentations, guests would be talking about your party for a long time to come! This cookbook however is probably best for experienced cooks. Many of the recipes are time and labor intensive and contain unusual ingredients. Although, even if you don’t cook a single appetizer from the book, it is thoroughly enjoyable to browse. Just don’t read it on an empty stomach!
>Thank you so much for the lovely book review! Glad you see the fun in making these family favorites in mini form! Happy Holidays! Peter Callahan, author of Bite by Bite