The Unqualified Hostess: I do it my way so you can too!

by Whoopi Goldberg

The legendary actor and comedian shows how to set a great table, shares ideas for unforgettable celebrations, and says, "It's about fun, not perfection!" In her own words...

"It's Whoopi here and I've written this book that, frankly, is the last book anyone would expect. You would never think of me as someone with the courage to say, 'You have everything you need to be fantastic in your own house, apartment, or trailer to set a great table.'

Let's face it, you look at a lot of books on Entertaining and think 'I could never do this in my house, I don't have this stuff and it's not going to look like what I'm seeing.' That's not what's going to happen here! I want to show you there is great heart in setting the table. For two or four or the kids or Halloween or tea just for you. For dinners with friends or the holidays. I'm going to tell you stories about what I do when people come over and give you ideas about what you're seeing because Honey, everything in this book is what you can do in your house.

You got a bodega or a 7-Eleven near you? They sell flowers. Take those bad boys and put them on your table. You got some crazy old plate from your grandmother (or a fancy silver one)? You got little kids' toys that have been annoying you forever, put them on the table too. Who's going to tell you it's wrong? Not me! I'm going to tell you it's right and I'm going to take you on a journey. And don't forget the bathroom; decorate it too, people are going to see it. It's all at your house. Come with me. I'll show you!

P.S. I know the glass on the cover is broken. Accidents happen!"

Genres: Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Design, Cooking, Food

128 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2019

About the author

Whoopi Goldberg is one of an elite group of artists who have won the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards) and is the bestselling author of the Sugar Plum Ballerina series, Book, and Is It Just Me? While performing in the Bay Area she created the characters that became The Spook Show and evolved into her hit Broadway show, Grammy Award–winning album, and the HBO special that helped launch her career. Spanning decades, Whoopi’s credits include roles in the well-known films The Color Purple, Ghosts of Mississippi, Sister Act, and Ghost. She produced the documentary Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley, and she appeared in and was one of the producers of the critically acclaimed 2022 feature film Till. She loves VW Bugs, working casinos, and comfortable clothing; is a passionate supporter of the audio arts and dedicated collector of audiobooks; and heads the Whoopfam Group, makers of Emma & Clyde, Whoopi & Maya, and other recreational and medicinal marijuana products.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Whoopi really helps you focus on what is important when hosting at home - great ideas and great message! Had no idea she had this additional talent - if you read this book before the 'holiday express' (Halloween- Thanksgiving - Christmas - New Year) you are sure to get some very innovative ideas.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful trifle. Nobody could get away with this but Whoopi -- she teaches us about knife rests and gives a shoutout to Replacements Ltd. while also decorating her table with troll dolls. Always sympathizing with the fabulous but broke, she offers tips on covering one's table with flower petals for cheap and advocates for paper plates. I bet this is Otessa Mosfegh's favorite book. It's up there with Miss Piggy's Guide to Life! OH, and there is a delicious double page spread of Whoopi Goldberg's tea drawer. I'm giving it another star just for that.

[Lori Tatar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and easy to read with awesome and vibrant photographs to show how it’s done!

[Stacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun! Yep, there are some fancy plates & crystal, but Whoopi shows how to mix it up (including using paper plates, toys &/or unique pieces from around your house, etc...) & encourages you to go for the fun whether entertaining a crowd or just yourself. This is an antidote to the everything-must-match dictates.

Loved her photo of her meal alone & she had her kindle handy for reading at the table. Also loved that it showed her putting out her fancy plates while wearing a sweatshirt.

Quick, mostly mindless fun. (Not entirely mindless as I did learn how to set a 3-tiered serving tray w/ working your way from bottom to top [sandwiches to desserts].)

Whoopi, can I come over for a meal?

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

She says it several times in the book: Goldberg has a lot of stuff. Much of that stuff is kitschy and weird, like troll dolls and glasses with high-heel shaped stems. And she likes to spread it all over her table when she entertains. It’s loveable, but not really to my taste and what’s more, the occasions covered in the book are heavily American. Having said that, the chapter on afternoon tea was a highlight for me.

[Danica Midlil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this! I share her love of Patience Brewster figures and artwork. Nifty to find that out.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great eye-candy photos of entertaining. I picked this up at the library for its chapter on Afternoon Tea. I liked Whoopi's approach to it. Interesting way to make clotted cream described.

Definitely a coffee-table book vs. a deep entertaining how-to. Very few recipes. Mostly colorful photos and an eclectic array of entertaining serving ware.

[Christine Baptiste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book at the library and had to get it because I couldn’t imagine a world where Whoopi Goldberg would host dinner parties. Now that I have this book, I realize it’s a magical world. She has amazing table scapes that are fun, creative, imaginative, and super busy 🤣. This book encourages you to take your personal style and have fun with it and do whatever you want to do while still teaching you about different tea brewing methods, knife rest, and dessert forks 🤷🏾‍♀️. For a book about hosting it has very few recipes in it maybe a handful but she does say that she only cooks twice a year. Anyway, this was a short read with tons of beautiful pictures so I recommend it if only to check out Whoopi’s cool things.

[Jade Pham Gift · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fun book to read when I just want eye-candies. Nice to see how Whoopi sets her table when she entertains, and fun to see all the nick-knacks that she used along with various dinner plate.
We each have our own unique style of doing things, so it is fun to see how others do theirs.

[Yaritza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoopi, I so want to be your guest. You have always been my idol. To see that we share the love of decorating and being creative makes me so happy. I mean who wouldn't want to have tea with trolls, which are my favorite toys. This book is a quick read. I never expected Whoopi making such fun tables for her family and friends. I was happy to see that I can add anything I want on my table that I love, with no boundaries. I got some pretty awesome ideas that I can do with my table and chairs. Thanks for bringing everyone happiness with your unique table ideas.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books that are easy read - you can do this - be yourself - nothing has to match - life is about individuality - and filled with beautiful pictures.
Thank you Whoopi and co for this wonderful and enjoyable book.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the book to be magical. It made me feel a little of what I felt as a child. I am now in my 60's. Whoopi's Afternoon tea is fabulous! I would have her "tea"! I love what Whoopi says in the Thanksgiving section. "If we can't make ourselves feel happy and feel grateful, we run the risk of becoming some kind of person, someone who allows social media to dictate who we are." I loved the Thanksgiving table with the Native American statues on it. A single way to remind us all why Thanksgiving exists.
I agree that having actual photos out of people you love makes the room or table a lot more personal and special.
My daughter's name is Emma, so when reading the little bubble about her Mom, it touched my heart.
I love Whoopi's humor throughout the book.
Whoopi's "Kids table for Thanksgiving would also be cool for adults, giving them a chance to color and leave their mark on the event. Doing it in permanent marker on a good table cloth and preserving it with a date, would become an heirloom to pass down to family members.
And the little "Whoopi Elf" is awesome! She collects all kinds of Santa's. I collect Santa's too.
I love her Patience Brewster Nativity. Not only celebrating everyone, but, it's stunning!
The New Years Eve table rocks! Clever to put multiple hats and things on the table so everyone can join in on the happy feeling!
And, at the very end of the book, Whoopi includes photos of several of her things and where you can buy it for your self! This is such a great thing in this book!
I would recommend this book to young people, teenagers, and children, to give them a basis of what a simple thing like eating together with happiness really means.
Whoopi, I love your book!

[Christina Getrost · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had fun reading this coffee-table book full of colorful photographs of Whoopi Goldberg's various table settings. I had thought I'd be a little bored, but it's written in her fun personal folksy style, like she's talking right to you, and the photos have little surprises in them--she has a house FULL of "stuff," as she repeatedly reminds us, and that stuff often makes its way to her dinner table even when it's not necessarily plates, glasses or silverware. The book is divided into sections, from "Lunch for Four" or "Dining Alone" to the various holiday gatherings one might want to host. Includes a bibliography of websites where you can buy a lot of the stuff featured in the book, of course. I picked up a couple of helpful tips for decorating from this book, but mostly I had fun reading her commentary and seeing all the pretty stuff, like antique toys and high heel-shaped wine glasses!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much. I don't think I could love Whoopi more. It's such a fun book and it reminds me so much of all things joyful and celebratory. It's very well done and is as eclectic as it is colorful. I appreciate how unpretentious it is. I couldn't wait to share it with loved ones. This book helped me better understand my own mother and gave me an appreciation for how she's always tried to orchestrate the most loving displays for every gathering, whether small or large. Whoopi outdid herself with this one. I'm so glad I picked it up.

[Kendra Chubbuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a few great ideas from the book and a couple of recipes. I love Whoopi and I will certainly use the book as a reference when I do parties and dinners. I know what to have a tea party after reading about her doing one. What fun it will be to have one this winter on such a remote Island. I loved the knife rest idea for sure and putting pictures on the table of family members who have passed away.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful book. Whoopi’s tablescapes and holiday themes were fun to read about and she shares how she pulls them together (often with things she was gifted or has on hand). Her approach is one of imperfection and whimsy while always thinking about the experience of her guests. Felt like she was speaking directly to the reader. The view of her tea selection alone is worth a read. Inspired me to plan a lunch or tea!

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I could dine with Whoopi some day.

Enjoyed her take on hostess duties. Learned about knife rests. Will be purchasing some of them for myself.

Whoppi has a lot of "stuff". At times I felt over stimulated just looking at all of the pictures. I would have gone with the "less is more" theory, but it was fun looking at all of her different styles.

[Laianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable little book full of tips for decorating the table for different events. I love Whoopi’s ideas about using tchotchkes as table ornaments and surrounding yourself with beauty just for the sake of it. The detailed illustrations could be right out of Pinterest. I will definitely refer back the next time I’m hosting anything at my house!

[Amanda Imes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Whoopi speak about this book with Stephen Colbert and the concept inspired me to go wild with tablescapes. The book itself embodies the entire idea of her tablescapes- more is more! There are a lot of full-page color pictures and silly advice like, "Balloons are very important!" It's a quick read that may inspire you to bring a bit more magic to your table.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoopi has done it again. This is such a fun book. it took me 20 minutes to read. It is different then her other book If someone says you complete me run. But I thought it was a good book to look though.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is lovely book that showcases Whoopi's entertaining style. It is quirky, maximalist, and eclectic. I really enjoyed the personal stories of her mother and her childhood. I reccomend this book if you like Whoopi and entertaining!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so fun. You learn a little bit about table settings but mostly just learn that rules don't have to be followed for the table. There is a nice balance of offbeat and fun style combined with making everyday special.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s funny! I actually laughed out loud. It’s an etiquette book but only slightly longer than a picture book. Her voice is accurately captured in the suggestions and anecdotes. Also she sounds like a whimsically lazy hostess which is totally my speed.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It is whimsical and seems like it was written for me, the reluctant hostess.

[Kathy Dempsey]

I love that Whoopi includes a section on tea.

[LeeAnn Balbirona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Fun, realistic perspective on entertaining and adding your own personality to your table.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photography is absolutely incredible. The text is minimal, but I heard Whoopi's voice in my head as I read it. Ever since this book was published in 2019, I wanted a copy. It isn't a how-to book, just more of a showcase of what she does with what she has on hand. Whoopi Goldberg is not a minimalist and she is probably much happier for that. The rest of us maximalists should rejoice at the ideas she presents for actually using some of the stuff that we have accumulated over the years. Her ideas are fantastic whether a person is setting the table for just one person or all of their friends and relations. I didn't know about knife rests until I read about them here, and now I need to find some for my own table. There are so many great ideas in this book. Some I loved and some were not things I would ever do, but I don't think there was a single photograph where I didn't find an inspiration for my own table settings as well as my life. Why have multiple types of glasses in the cupboard if you aren't going to use them? Thanks you for providing this reader with incentive to pursue more personal joy by actually using the stuff in my cabinets instead of saving it for that mythical some day that rarely, if ever actually happens.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Whoopi and this book is beautiful, it really is. It’s full of words of wisdom about hosting both get- togethers or parties, etc. and I was hoping for very specific ideas or suggestions that were different, but I didn’t learn much that new. I loved that she was offering ideas but really she pitched the idea of dont sweat things, be yourself, which I love. There are a few recipes, not many, but her voice comes through so perusing if reading it really comes through. More of a coffee table book for sure. Try it, you might love it.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book dedicated to Whoopi Goldberg showing off her extensive glassware collection, followed by an appendix showing where to buy the stylish items seen in the book. If you can afford to cover a table in rose petals or purchase bouquets of multicolored peonies as your centerpiece, this is the hosting guide for you! The real question is where does she store all this stuff and who cleans up after these elaborate banquets with multiple plates, serving dishes and glasses? A wildly impractical "guide" to hosting.