Wonderful article and the book sounds great. I love the idea of using a wine bottle as a rolling pin!

I don’t have any chocolate extract. Any suggestions for what I can use as a substitute? I’m tempted to double the vanilla extract, but I thought it was worth asking.

Thanks!!

As many other readers have commented, I try to do as much as I can before the guests arrive. I definitely have some wine and wine glasses set out. I also make sure the table is set perfectly before the guests arrive. If I am working on any last minute dishes, I invite anyone and everyone to help, and everyone is very happy to be asked. It’s easy to ask the guests because everyone seems to congregate in the kitchen before the dinner is served.

The best cookbook I’ve ever received is the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.