Book tip of the week: What makes guests happy - The handbook

Everything perfect: table, ambience, drinks and recipes

18. May 2025 |

Editorial team

With her stylish handbook “What makes guests happy”, Katerina Vetter Kapagiannidou opens up a fascinating perspective on how food, ambience and communication work together to create unforgettable experiences. This book is much more than a classic cookbook – it is a source of inspiration for hosts who want to delight their guests not only with food, but also with thoughtful details and a unique atmosphere.

The 40 recipes, divided into six chapters and tailored to different occasions – from relaxed evenings with friends to elegant business dinners and romantic dates – combine indulgence with aesthetics. It’s not just about the right choice of food and drink, but also about the art of creating an atmospheric table setting that stimulates or deliberately directs communication.

The author’s in-depth specialist knowledge is particularly enriching, as she is an impressive communications expert and experienced hostess. Her anecdotes from her work – such as hosting state dinners or encounters with personalities like Karl Lagerfeld – give the book a personal and practical touch. The numerous tips on topics such as the right choice of wine, perfection in small mistakes and setting up an inviting kitchen make it an indispensable reference book.

Info:
Edition Michael Fischer / EMF Verlag
ISBN 978-3745920253
256 pages

Our conclusion

“What makes guests happy” is a coffee-table book that combines specialist knowledge, aesthetics and culinary art. It inspires us to view hospitality as an art form and to create extraordinary moments both in everyday life and on special occasions. A must-have for anyone who wants to host with attention to detail - stylish, warm and unforgettable.

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!

Book tip of the week: Homemade kombucha

Treasure chest on the subject of fermented drinks

With “Kombucha selbst gemacht”, Alexandra Klein takes us into the fascinating world of Kombucha brewing. This book is a real treasure trove for anyone who wants to learn more about fermented drinks and creative kombucha recipes. In just 120 pages, the author manages to give a sound introduction to the production of the probiotic drink and at the same time present numerous inspiring recipes for drinks, dishes and even beauty treatments.

We particularly like the practical approach. From the care of the scoby (“Symbiotic Cultures of Bacteria and Yeast”) to step-by-step instructions, getting started with kombucha brewing is made as easy as possible. Whether strawberry-peppermint kombucha, lavender-pear or something unusual like kombucha hummus – the recipes are creative, versatile and invite you to try them out.

The beauty aspect is also surprising and innovative: Kombucha as a base for a face mask? This shows once again how versatile this drink is. Alexandra Klein combines her in-depth knowledge as a professional chef with her flair for herbs and natural ingredients, giving the book a personal and authentic touch.

Info:
Servus Verlag
ISBN 978-3-7104-0383-5
120 pages

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