Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over

Who’s the author? Known for her bestselling cookbooks Dining In and Sweet Enough, Alison Roman is an American food writer, internet personality, and chef. Alison has written for a number of popular food publications, including Bon Appétit and The New York Times Cooking section. She currently publishes the Substack ‘a newsletter,’ hosts the cooking show Home Movies on YouTube, and runs First Bloom, a corner store in Bloomville, New York.

Boasting a large following across multiple social media platforms, Alison is known for her witty and irreverent social media presence, launching viral recipes like #TheStew and #TheCookies. She has had a major impact on the way the world cooks and eats, with her simple, vegetable-forward recipes crafted with convenience and indulgence in mind.

What’s it about? Designed to take the stress out of entertaining, Nothing Fancy is all about celebrating with good food and great company. Featuring 150 new recipes, this book is full of inspiration to get you in the mood for hosting.

These high-impact, low-effort dishes – many of which can be prepped and cooked in just a few hours – deliver impressively delicious results with minimal fuss. Roman also shares practical tips on when to lean on shop-bought ingredients, how to batch cocktails, and other essentials for hosting with ease.

Begin your gathering with crunchy, salty snacks and a martini bar, before moving on to vibrant veg, versatile grains, and savoury mains–all designed for maximum flavour and minimal stress. Whether you’re planning a casual get-together or something more festive, this cookbook offers crowd-pleasing, flavour-packed dishes for every occasion.

Recipes we love: Trout Roe on Buttered Toast with Lemony Herbs, Slow-Roasted Oregano Chicken with Buttered Tomatoes, Crispy Vinegared Potatoes with Dried Chilli, Smashed Cucumbers with Sizzled Turmeric and Garlic, and Salted Honey Panna Cotta with Crushed Raspberries

Perfect for: Anyone looking to elevate their hosting game or revive the lost art of the dinner party – as well as fans of bold flavours, smart shortcuts, and low-effort, high-reward cooking.