This "longhorn" bamboo carving board accompanied a food section cover story [1] in this week's The Washington Post. We already own this platter by Arthur Court Designs [2] and have given it to several of our friends and family. We credit this fab find to a friend who has made sure it is one of the wedding gifts she's kept.

Tips & Tricks:
Recently we had a friend who was concerned because the meat she served her guests as an entree was not hot by the time they finished their first course. Our advice: Let it rest [3]. Meat should be left to cool before serving (a few minutes for steaks and chops and approximately 15 minutes for larger pieces). Try warming your platter in the oven while the meat is cooking. When it is finished, place the meat on the warm platter and cover with foil until ready to serve. A squeeze of lemon juice and a little salt on the meat will also freshen the taste.

Also, one of the most trying things that a home cook can do when cooking for friends or family is to critique their own meal and apologize for its imperfections (unless of course it is really bad). Never have we been to a dinner party and not enjoyed the food in good company.