No more inviting a scene is there than a table blooming with beautiful food and outlined with beautiful people. We all know the picture - a relaxed, European-hued dinner party you wish had no end. One you so desperately want to attend, but doubt you'd ever be able to put together.

Skye McAlpine has quite the remarkable gift for whipping up such bewitchingly dreamy scenes. Scenes where wine and conversation and food flow heavy. The Sunday Times columnist's home in Venice is a culinary and social playground, making it the perfect inspiration for her newest cookbook, A Table for Friends: The Art of Cooking for Two or Twenty. I mean, who wouldn't want to live in just a slice of Skye's gorgeous, delicious world?

From sunny al fresco lunches to impromptu weeknight dinners, Skye shares her secrets for creating those wonderful mealtime moments everyone craves, featuring over 100 of her favorite dishes to make for loved ones. Spaghetti with Creamy Lemon Sauce, anyone?

Click through for a sampling of Skye's culinary magic and prepare to be inspired!

[Reprinted from A Table for Friends by arrangement with Bloomsbury Publishing. Copyright © 2020, Skye McAlpine]