2114 Kupecek, Linda. The Rebel Cook: Entertaining Advice for the Clueless. Canmore: Altitude Publishing Canada. 176p. photos. biblio. $24.95. ISBN 1-55439-938-1. CCIP. DDC 642.4'0207.

You want to host a dinner party but you can’t cook. Not to worry. Even if you’re a “kitchen klutz” with two left forks, where there’s a strategy there’s a way.
        Welcome to the strategy. Or make that strategies. First there’s the food strategies. Like wear an apron — people will assume you’re actually cooking. And serve just a bit of something — anything — in the middle of a very large plate. Your guests will assume it’s rare and special. If you do actually undertake to cook, use no more than 10 of the 79 ingredients called for in the recipe, and don’t worry about the “measurement police.”
        Then there’s the everything-but-the-food strategy. Kupecek reasons that if you avoid land mines in the guest list, have lots of wine on hand, and pay attention to décor, cleaning, music, and the art of conversation, your guests will be happy regardless of what questionable results your cooking may yield.
        With gentle, self-deprecating humour and a fast-paced style, Kupecek serves up some easy-reading reminders on the art of entertaining for the less-than-skilled cook.