To A Big Slice, entertaining is the new self-help. There is so much reward in spending the day with family and friends around the table; enjoying a delicious homemade meal, served at a leisurely pace, catching bits of conversation, initiating a toast. It's an opportunity to get to really know each other, eating, drinking, laughing and sharing. But the party doesn't start at the table. Make the planning as much fun as the event. Open a bottle of wine, talk things over with a trusted friend, bat around ideas and rediscover old recipes. And the best things of all? Years from now, you will be sitting with that same friend, you will open a bottle of wine and say, "Remember when...?" That's A Big Slice of Life!

Click on the black bars below to open our complete event planning sections. Each one includes menus, recipes, crafts, holiday trivia and much, much more. Enjoy!
A Big Slice is proud to present our very own wine tasting kit, the Bacchus Box, a complete evening of fun in one rosewood box! Challenge your friends to a taste off. May the best wine win! No one, not even the host, knows the identities of the selections. Observe, smell, taste, rank, vote. Was yours the nectar ...or the salad dressing? A relaxed and fun way to discover new favorites. And remember, there is always a next time with the Bacchus Box. Includes everything you need (except wine and glasses) and a free 12 minute instructional DVD. Great gift! To check out the Bacchus Box, click on the red bar above. A Big Slice is a very large website (including over 200 recipes!) that is organized thematically. But if you know what you are looking for, just click on the red bar above and it will take you to our search page. Type in the term, or recipe in the space provided and it will take you directly to that page. If any links appear to be broken, please let us know at:

thegoodlife@abigslice.com
Click above to return to the A Big Slice homepage. From there you will be able to visit our wine and international dinners sections. Plus we have a recipe and craft archive so you can quickly find what you are looking for. If it is contact information that you seek, that is also on the homepage - near the bottom. Thousands have already signed up for our newsletter. In 2009 we are focusing on the monthly holidays in a different way. How about a Mardi Gras Fais Do Do? Or a hearty St. Patrick's Day Irish Breakfast. We include holiday trivia and history, table settings, napkin folds and of course recipes. All we need is your email address. Click on the red bar above to sign up. Thank you!
Every now and again you really need to go all out. And that is exactly what A Big Slice does for New Year's. We have a seven course formal dinner with all of the recipes and wine suggestions. There is an elegant napkin fold and directions on how to set a formal table. Clare and Ted also tell you how to get your friends to pitch in, making this over the top evening a show stopper. Break out the red, white and blue get ready for a wonderful Fourth of July Picnic. It took some cajoling, but Clare finally revealed her recipe for baby back ribs. They are incredible. We have a simple to make napkin ring craft that completes the patriotic look. Plus some tips for picnic safety, and a little fireworks trivia to impress your friends.
There is a cajun tradition where farmers travel from house to house collecting ingredients for a massive pot of gumbo. The stew was cooked, stomachs filled and the entire town danced the night away to zydeco. Sounds like a Mardi Gras plan. We also show you how to make your own Mardi Gras Masks. With our recipes for beignets and a king cake, you'll think you were in beautiful New Orleans just in time for Carnival! Why not take this time to pamper yourself and your beloved four legged companion? We have recipes for some delicious, so Goodyear says, dog treats. Plus step by step directions on how to make your own chicken sausages. The are out of this world! How about hosting a dog show? One for fido and one for the mustard covered work of art in your plate.
St. Patrick's Day is a time to celebrate Irish culture and its influence on America. But we wanted to do something other than the typical corned beef and cabbage. How about an Irish breakfast? This hearty meal includes eggs, rashers, porridge, grilled tomatoes and soda bread. Undo your belt because that's just the beginning! One of the best ways to learn about wine is to host a blind wine tasting party. Everyone brings over a bottle, you bag them up and serve them so know one knows which wine they are tasting. We show you how to plan this economical evening using our Bacchus Box.
Easter is spring. It is all about rebirth and renewal. This is a great time to be together with family and focus on tradition, or start some new traditions of your own. And by the way, Easter baskets are not just for the young ones. We show you how to makes egg shaped soaps and polymer clay covered eggs that will have the adults on the hunt as well. it's always fun, as a cook, to experiment. Trying your hand at new flavors and interesting combinations. For Oktoberfest we present wiener schnitzel (although we use pork) homemade pretzels with homemade mustard, and linzer cookies. Plus everything you wanted to know about beer! By the way, did you know that Oktoberfest is really in September?
Cinco de Mayo has become a bigger celebration in the U.S. than in its native Mexico. It is filled with art, music, parades and of course food. This menu is unbelievable and includes everything from jicama salad to ceviche. Plus how to decorate your party with big bold colorful tissue flowers. Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday. All of the food and none of the gifts! What's not to love. We have all of the traditional favorites as well as directions on how to brine a turkey. Plus greet your guests with a sparkling aperitif, and create a beautiful centerpiece. This will be a Thanksgiving you won't soon forget.
June is the month of romance. A June bride means a June Anniversary. Spend the day together creating this amazingly romantic Italian dinner. Shop for the freshest ingredients, make your own pasta (you won't believe the difference), and set the table with loves notes dedicated to that special someone. Our favorite gifts are the homemade kind. Delicious goodies, freshly baked say "I love you" better than anything from a store. Invite your friends over for a holiday baking party. We have great recipes for cookies, and a french oinion soup that will warm the hearts of all the guest chefs. Plus this Christmas tree napkin fold. Happy holidays!