The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits: A Handbook of Etiquette with Recipes

by Suzanne Pollak, Lee Manigault

Nestled deep in the South is a tiny Academy that teaches classes in the most important subject in the the domestic arts. The Academy’s unique curriculum includes everything from cocktail-party etiquette to business entertaining, dealing with household guests, and cooking for the holidays. Here, after a little gentle instruction from Deans Pollak and Manigault, interspersed with plenty of humor, students find they are living healthier, having stronger ties to friends and family, and using their houses to branch out in ways they never dreamed possible. Since not everyone can get to their sold-out classes in Charleston, the Deans are now offering this book so happier liv­ing can be within everyone’s grasp, not just the select few.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cookbooks

216 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2014

Reviews

[Jessica N.]

Not quite what I wanted

I am looking for a book more about table setting, table manners, etc.
Enjoyed the recipes, personal stories.
The constant "the Deans" annoyed me after first chapter.

[Anna]

I got so into reading this cookbook/lifestyle/entertaining guide that I brought it to the beach with me one afternoon. The writing style is quirky but compelling. I have become so much more confident in the kitchen and inspired to have parties.

I have been making my own croutons and dressings since reading. I have roasted whole chickens, something I never would have tried before. I have been making rice more often, more varied, and more confidently. I am looking forward to trying the paella recipe over the holidays.

Don’t doubt the recipes because you have no photographs: they speak for themselves.

[Brandi Fox]

I don’t agree with all of the assessments made by the Deans, but the last couple of chapters were compelling and worth the time.

[SSC]

This is a fun book with practical advice, light humor and good ideas. It is very Southern in its approach and homely; there is nothing hard or haughty about this!

[Christine Kenney]

This was focused more on entertaining guests and the cooking (with emphasis on meat+sugar+fat) involved than I had anticipated. I was looking for a steel magnolia version of The Butler Speaks: A Return to Proper Etiquette, Stylish Entertaining, and the Art of Good Housekeeping that distributes time equally across the other topics of etiquette and housekeeping.

[Alison Slyman]

This book has been on my reading shelf for almost a year, and now that the shelter-in-place is still in effect, I thought it a good time to finish it. I enjoyed the authors’ light-heartedness, and learned some good tips on being a host and a guest. I also appreciated their approach that home should be a place to be enjoyed on a regular basis, because there are more every-day occasions than special occasions. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in entertaining, even if entertaining means creating warm memories for your own nest at home.

[J]

Beautiful cover & inside drawings. Interesting commentary - though more on house management than etiquette. And, the etiquette comments are just the authors' opinions on things, not proper etiquette a la Miss Manners or Emily Post.

Unfortunately, 80% of the book is recipes, so this really is just a cookbook. And, the recipes were not useful in my house. Not a lot of demand for brine chicken or pickled watermelon here.

[Sarah]

I absolutely adore this book...the recipes are elegant yet genius in their simplicity...several I can’t wait to try...entertaining and etiquette tips are spot on yet presented with a healthy dose of humor and charm - a keeper on my book case...

[Claire Strebeck]

I really enjoyed this book. It is helpful in teaching etiquette as well as practical tips for hosting and cooking in a winsome and funny way. They explain the rationale behind their tips and encourage the reader to disregard them when it better suits them to do so.

[Janis]

A fun reminder of manners and domestic bliss. I loved when the Dean's reminded you to enjoy your home and live in it to its fullest!

[Jenny Ann]

Loved it, quick read

Loved it, quick read and learned how to mix a few drinks and how to get rid of stragglers at the end of a party.

[Leanna Pond]

Brilliant! Funny and informative

[Steph]

Adorable book. Timeless hints and suggestions and some I’ve never heard of before, but will definitely make an effort to try.

[SB]

Very cute

[Alexandra]

It was fine. I was expecting it to be more of an old-timey etiquette book, but it’s more of a book about entertaining. The tips are great, if it’s what you’re looking for, but the format got a little tired.

[Helena]

I like it well enough. There are some tasty-sounding recipes in it, and I enjoyed the authors' approach for the most part. Two things irked me and dropped the book from four stars to three. First, the proofreading could have been better--though the book is much cleaner than some I've seen lately, errors such as "intimated" instead of "intimidated" and "ATM machine" (for the LOVE, people, it's an ATM--the M stands for "machine," therefore you do not need to tack an extra "machine" on the end) snuck through. Second, in the section on being a good houseguest, there is a subsection on pets and children. The authors state, "Nobody really wants pets or children as houseguests, though no host is actually going to tell you that." They go on to compare those of us who travel with our "grimy children" to the Joads from Grapes of Wrath, and conclude with the statement "When traveling by yourself you are light and unencumbered." So apparently these two women--who say they have children, incidentally--feel that if we have kids, we're either supposed to stay at home for the next eighteen years, or perhaps leave them with a live-in nanny while we swan about the country? (And yes, when I was young and single and traveled alone, I was light and unencumbered, but those days are long past.) I know it was just one paragraph and minor in the overall scheme of the books, but it came across as rather unfeeling and sort of spoiled the book for me (it comes near the end, and there's not enough of the book left after that for me to regain the warm fuzzies I had been enjoying).

[Jess]

A pure delight to read! It is actually a coffee table for book for me and has been a fun conversation piece. Beautiful cover with a ribbon included as a bookmark. I picked this up on my most recent trip to Charleston and Savannah.

Authors Suzanne Pollack and Lee Manigault incorporate household etiquette and management tips as a "gift" (their words but I entirely agree) to us. Through raising six children between the two of them and viewing household management as a craft this book is a culmination of their wisdom and humor. This book contains a treasure trove of recipes (some out of my league of expertise or in no way could I get the Mr. to try Oxtail Stew, tips for party planning such as conversation starters, beverage management, leftover suggestions, and dinner etiquette. Though really what I found the authors conveyed is that we should enjoy our homes, families, and strive to offer genuine hospitality. Overall, I enjoyed the knowledge, warmth, and humor Mrs. Pollack and Mrs. Manigault share with the reader.

For those that love all things Southern, I encourage you to read this book.

[Amy]

Probably the best book on entertaining and running a household. I have made several of the recipes listed (pork butt, cheese soufflé, coconut rice, orange chicken) and they have all been easy, delicious and well received. The Deans of the Academy swear that gracious living will enhance your life and I believe it.

[E]

There is really no reason to read this book. The recipes are not inspiring or original - one of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa entertaining cookbooks would be much better and more inspiring. Their "jokes" really aren't funny - sound like two bored old ladies trying to make a $ repeating the same old rules.

[Kate]

Some good recipes, and some practical advice and tips about being a host and even about being a guest. I found the authors' practice of constantly referring to themselves as "deans" (as in, of The Academy) to get quite grating after about the first 20 times.

[Emily Von pfahl]

Highly readable, entertaining, filled with great advice and guidance. I haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but there are a number that look very appealing.

[Allison]

Absolutely gorgeous book! I was immediately drawn to it. Some really good tips and information. VERY SOUTHERN! I definitely want to try the cheese souffle'

[Georgia]

Enjoyable, tongue-in-cheek read about southern hospitality. After visiting Charleston this summer, this was a lovely and reflective read.

[Mary Lynn]

Cute. For fans of all things Southern.

[Stephanie A]

Delightful. Southern. One of my go-to gifts for brides to be.

[jenn]

A really enjoyable read, even if your hosting game is on point. Minus one star for telling readers not to pay attention to guests' dietary restrictions. Obviously, when hosting casual acquaintances, this may be your only option, but in terms of feeding family or close friends, this advice is ungracious and potentially damaging to relationships.