Erin Gleeson is known for her visually stunning, healthy recipes—dishes that are easy enough to prepare after a long day at work, yet impressive enough for a party. Her food has always been ideal for entertaining, but now Gleeson offers detailed guidance on hosting casual, yet thoughtful gatherings from start to finish—from the decor and cocktails to the ideal food pairings. In this new book, more than 100 fresh, innovative vegetarian recipes are arranged in a series of artfully designed menus, tailored to specific occasions like a summer dinner party, a laid-back brunch or holiday cocktails.
Lushly illustrated with hundreds of watercolour drawings and photographs, The Forest Feast Gatherings is an inspiring reference for anyone who wants to share good food with good friends in Erin’s irresistible style and the perfect companion to the original.
Just everything about The Forest Feast Gatherings is beautiful. The photography is stunning (can I move in with you please Erin Gleeson?) and the recipes on the artistically decorated watercolour pages are just such a beautiful touch. The ingredients are accessible, the recipes simple, and from the one or two I've tried, absolutely delicious (although my heart did sink a little at the fact that she used tea bags for iced tea instead of loose leaf...).
That said, I did find a lot of the prose a bit grating as it was almost painfully middle class. It spoke of a level of lifestyle almost unattainable to the average citizen, which belies the availability and attainability of the ingredients. I think this might put off a lot of people who would have a lot to gain from a cookbook like this.
Still, the positives far outweighed that one negative, so I certainly won't hold that against it. It's a great addition to any kitchen, and makes vegetarian entertaining simple and a joy.
