No matter whether you're entertaining for the first time or you've been throwing parties for quite some time but need a fresher approach to pull off a simple and lovely evening, Ina's advice is invaluable. After all, she is known as the Barefoot Contessa for a reason.

"Keep it really simple. People prefer simple food, and it's easier to make."

"If the hostess is stressed, everybody’s going to be stressed, so make something you feel really comfortable making."

"You're better off making something that you know you can nail without too much stress than finding some recipe in a cookbook that you've never used before."