Ina Garten cooks the food I like to cook. It's uncomplicated to prepare and delicious to eat. Barefoot Contessa Parties has been a really useful addition to my very large cook book collection. I have used it mainly for everyday meals rather than specifically for 'parties'. The ingredients are generally readily available (in Australia) and the instructions are clear. I like that Ina has included some of the more basic recipes such as pesto for instance. I must have over 10 recipes for pesto but this one is the best (although I never add oil to the pasta water I've been told that the sauce slides off rather than clings to the pasta).