When Katherine Lewin opened up her first store—a dinner party shop—she had one goal: to help everyone make their meals at home feel a little bit more special. A little bit more joyful. A little bit Bigger.

In her debut cookbook, Katherine channels her brick-and-mortar shops’ irresistible energy into a treasure trove of tips, tricks, and guidance on every aspect of dinners, parties, and dinner parties. This book is your new back-pocket hosting companion.

Organized by season, the 80+ recipes for snacks, appetizers, mains, desserts, and cocktails take you through every occasion, all year long. The first hint of sun in March calls for An Almost-Spring Thing, where you’ll serve ricotta toast with English pea pesto; in the peak of summer, treat everyone to an Italian Vacation Without Leaving the House, starring clam and corn pasta followed by lemon granita; when the leaves have turned, confidently plan The Best Friendsgiving, complete with the ultimate stuffing; and in the dead of winter, lure your friends over with A Noodle Soup to Get People Excited. Learn how to Stop Worrying About Everything Matching and Just Set the Table; the step-by-step formula for discovering your (and your guests’) Perfect Martini; and the Cheese Plate of Dreams math of how many ounces to plan per person.

From date night for two to pull-out-all-the-stops dinner parties to low-key weeknight hangs (delivery pizza encouraged—just make A Big Chopped Salad to go with), find all the inspiration you need—and confidence you want—to make any and every night a Big Night.

Big Night Cookbook

Big Night: Dinners, Parties & Dinner Parties