Dubbed "the hostess with the mostest" by Zagats, Donatella Arpaia is a ubiquitous and striking presence on the national food scene. Literally raised in the business, she knows precisely what makes a guest feel welcome, whether in one of her wildly popular restaurants or one-on-one in her home. Yet every day she meets would-be home cooks—sophisticated, confident, successful women with discriminating palates—whose confidence evaporates at the kitchen door.

For these discerning diners, Donatella has written Donatella Cooks, a sassy, spirited guide to cooking and entertaining with flair. Writing with humor, wit, and practicality, she covers every element of a great evening, from super simple yet delectable food to the perfect music, drinks, and décor. Her foolproof recipes are brimming with bold flavor yet so easy to prepare even novice cooks can pull them off without breaking a sweat. Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two or a cocktail gala for dozens, Donatella Cooks has the winning formula for the perfect evening.

To read more about Donatella Arpaia recipes and styles, you can visit her web-page by clicking HERE.

Donatella Arpaia (born in Woodmere, New York on September 15, 1974) is a successful American restaurateur, food expert, and entertaining authority. Donatella is a frequently appearing judge on The Food Network reality-TV series Iron Chef America, as well as a judge on The Next Iron Chef. She has also appeared on The Isaac Mizrahi Show, The Martha Stewart Show, The Tony Danza Show, The Today Show and iVillage.

Kathleen Hackett is the former executive book editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She has written for both the Pottery Barn Style series and Budget Livingbooks, as well as various other publications, including Elle Décor. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and son.