Forking Delicious™ — 165 Recipes, Hosting Hacks & Essential Techniques grew out of a lifetime spent setting the table early, cooking for people I love, and learning that the best meals are about more than food. This book shares the recipes, shortcuts, and instincts that turn cooking into connection. Every recipe is accompanied by stunning, full-color photography, making this 465-page hardcover a true coffee-table-worthy showpiece as well as a practical, well-loved kitchen companion. INSIDE THIS EDITION, YOU’LL DISCOVER a lifetime of lessons learned at the table. I’ve always believed that hospitality begins long before the doorbell rings — in the quiet moments of arranging fresh flowers, setting the table days early, and hoping the roast comes out just right. I learned that rhythm from my mother, who showed me that feeding people was never just about the food. It was about creating a space where everyone could exhale, laugh, and feel — even briefly — at home. These pages hold the spirit of my family gatherings and celebrations: chocolate pecan pies baked for friends who became chosen family; Beef Bourguignon that filled the house with warmth; Thanksgiving tables set well before the week began. You’ll find my shortcuts and secrets — Forking Fast Facts for the rushed, Hosting Hacks for creative inspiration, Showstoppers for the brave — and richly detailed photographs that guide, inspire, and elevate every dish — but more than that, I hope you feel my heart in here. This cookbook is designed to build confidence at every level — not just through recipes, but through essential techniques, clear guidance, and the kind of practical wisdom that turns hesitation into instinct. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a full table of guests, these recipes are meant to help you cook with ease, trust your instincts, and actually enjoy the process. With visual cues and step-by-step inspiration on every page, success feels both attainable and beautiful. A book you’ll cook from—and proudly display on a coffee table. My philosophy is simple: cook at home, cook with heart, cook for the people you love. Home cooking lets you eat healthier, save money, honor dietary needs, and create memories that last longer than the meal. It grounds us in a fast, digital world and opens the door to deeper family bonds, spontaneous gatherings, new friendships, and the quiet joy of feeding people well. For readers who find themselves wanting to go beyond the page, Forking Delicious Cooking School simply extends what begins here — offering hands-on learning rooted in the same techniques, confidence, and table-first philosophy found throughout this book. The Confident Cook Series brings small groups together in an intimate, supportive setting designed to build real skills and kitchen confidence over time — whether you arrive with friends or leave having made new ones. Culinary Escapes offer a chance to explore new cuisines, flavors, and techniques in a relaxed, one-off format, perfect for testing the waters or trying something completely new without a long commitment. Private Culinary Coaching is fully customized instruction — just you (or your chosen group) — tailored to exactly what you want to learn, at your pace, in your own kitchen or mine. I’m the creator of Forking Delicious™ and the author of this cookbook, where the recipes, techniques, and stories that shaped my life finally come together in one place. I’m here to share what I’ve learned: that great food doesn’t need to be complicated, hosting shouldn’t be stressful, and your kitchen can absolutely become the happiest room in your home. Here’s to cooking boldly, joyfully, and a little bit rebelliously. — Leslie Linevsky, Founder & Chef