What Can I Bring? - by Casey Elsass (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In What Can I Bring?, veteran food and cookbook writer and guest extraordinaire Casey Elsass takes the stress out of the partygoer's eternal dilemma with 75 recipes that will make you the talk of the party--for the right reasons. In a room full of bags of chips, be the most desired dip with Golden Ratio Guac or Seven Onion Dip. Put down the $12 bottle of pinot grigio and pick up a tray of Jell-O Cocktail Shots. Discover a world of standout brunch dishes, such as Cream-Soaked Cinnamon Rolls or Bagel Panzanella. When you're on dessert duty, choose from Buttermilk Brownies, Apple + Chinese Five-Spice Pie, Very Creamy Ice Cream, or death-by-chocolate Bruce Bogtrotter Cake. And when the host instructs you to bring yourself, come prepared with giftable treats like Seasoned Oyster Crackers or Homemade Hot Fudge. With plenty of options and adaptations for special diets and allergies, including vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free recipes, and detailed instructions for packing and serving for minimal stress on-site, this book is your road map for crowd-pleasing party fare. The only thing you'll be taking home is the title of MVP--Most Valuable Partygoer."--

Book Synopsis

AN EATER BEST COOKBOOKS OF SPRING 2025 - A VOGUE COOKBOOKS DEFINING THE WAY WE'RE COOKING IN 2025 - AN EPICURIOUS STANDOUT COOKBOOK FOR SPRING 2025 - A CHOWHOUND BEST NEW COOKBOOKS OF 2025 - A TERTULIA BEST COOKBOOKS OF 2025 - A GLOBE AND MAIL BESTSELLER

In What Can I Bring?, veteran food and cookbook writer and guest extraordinaire Casey Elsass takes the stress out of the partygoer's eternal dilemma with 75 recipes that will make you the talk of the party--for the right reasons.

In a room full of bags of chips, be the most desired dip with Golden Ratio Guac or Seven Onion Dip. Put down the $12 bottle of pinot grigio and pick up a tray of Jell-O Cocktail Shots. Discover a world of standout brunch dishes, such as Cream-Soaked Cinnamon Rolls or Bagel Panzanella. When you're on dessert duty, choose from Buttermilk Brownies, Apple + Chinese Five-Spice Pie, Very Creamy Ice Cream, or death-by-chocolate Bruce Bogtrotter Cake. And when the host instructs you to bring yourself, come prepared with giftable treats like Seasoned Oyster Crackers or Homemade Hot Fudge. With plenty of options and adaptations for special diets and allergies, including vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free recipes, and detailed instructions for packing and serving for minimal stress on-site, this book is your road map for crowd-pleasing party fare. The only thing you'll be taking home is the title of MVP--Most Valuable Partygoer.

Review Quotes

"A paean to the art of being a guest." --T Magazine

"What you bring to a party says so much about who you are--and whether you'll be invited back. The author of a new book on the topic offers his top tips for being the best guest, plus recipes that will be the envy of the entire event."--WSJ Off Duty

"Author Casey Elsass wants us to live our 'guest lives, ' and gives us some genius potluck-ready recipes to help us get there." --Real Simple

"His book is a love letter to the art of arriving prepared, with 75 recipes engineered for potlucks, picnics, dinner parties, and everything in between." --Vogue

"Elsas ensures that his recipes are approachable...but still possesses a wow factor that is sure to please a crowd." --Eater

"The recipes contained within What Can I Bring? are designed to impress without overdoing it." --Chowhound

"Elsass' good-humored writing and helpful party tricks make these pages fun to flip through whether there's an invitation awaiting your RSVP or you're thinking of organizing a gathering of your own."--The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"What Can I Bring? is a treatise on being a top-tier guest." --Sunday Times of London

"Elsass is funny, which makes the book a breeze to read through, but also super-knowledgeable about what works and doesn't work." --The Local Palate

"If you're searching for the ultimate party cookbook 2025, Casey Elsass delivers with 75 portable, crowd-pleasing dishes...designed to help you shine as the perfect guest." --Tertulia

"This personable cookbook...is sure to come in handy." ―Publishers Weekly

--Reviews

"Casey has solved the what-to-bring problem delightfully and deliciously. All that's left to us is the fun of turning up at someone's door with dishes they'll love."
--DORIE GREENSPAN, author of Baking with Dorie

"As two people who often get asked the big question, Casey's MVP book is where we'll be sending our guests for smart recipes that would be a dream at any gathering."
--HAILEE CATALANO & CHUCK CRUZ, TikTok's favorite couple

"This book is utterly brilliant! Casey makes being a good guest an art with transportable, doable, and (unapologetically) scene-stealing recipes for everything worth bringing."
--DEB PERELMAN, author of Smitten Kitchen Keepers

"This stunning book is full of electrifying, easy-to-follow recipes that will be talked about for years to come. I'll be arriving in ruffles of Scrunchy Bread."
--KIM CHI, RuPaul's Drag Race legend and makeup mogul

"I want to live in Casey's world of cozy dinner parties, backyard hangs, and birthday bashes where the food is beautiful and delicious."
--YOSSY AREFI, author of Snacking Cakes

"Casey packs up all of his secrets in Tupperware, tosses them in his tote, and serves everything you need to be the guest who always gets asked back!"
--DAN "GROSSY" PELOSI, author of Let's Eat

"What Can I Bring? seriously brings the party. Each recipe gets me more excited than the last, and I can't wait to cook everything!"
--JUSTINE DOIRON, author of Justine Cooks

"What Can I Bring? is overflowing with irresistible, easy-to-make dishes that scream 'party hero.' Get ready to impress, indulge, and live your best guest life!"
--ANDY BARAGHANI, author of The Cook You Want to Be

"An invitation to relax with friends should be cause for excitement, not stress, and luckily, we have the talented and openhearted Casey with delicious solutions for every scenario!"
--NATASHA LI PICKOWICZ, author of More Than Cake

"What Can I Bring? is your new go-to for perfect cocktails, elevated salads, best-ever dinner rolls (hello, Thanksgiving!), and crazy-good cakes. Casey has the ideal recipe for every occasion!"
--TIEGHAN GERARD, author of Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy

"What Can I Bring? is a gorgeous guide to winning 'best party guest'! Casey knows exactly what to bring for every occasion, with approachable, sophisticated recipes."
--RICK MARTÍNEZ, author of Mi Cocina

--Quotes

About the Author

Casey Elsass is a food writer, recipe developer, and cookbook author living in Brooklyn, NY. Before his international best-selling cookbook, What Can I Bring?: Recipes to Help You Live Your Guest Life, Casey co-authored, ghost wrote, and consulted on over 20 cookbooks. His food writing has appeared in New York Magazine, Bon Appétit, and WSJ Off-Duty, and his recipes can be found on NPR, Epicurious, Food Network Kitchen, Delish, and Food52.