“The Business of Dining is a must-have addition to anyone’s library, whether you go out to eat for a living or just want to enhance your own experience. Debbie has written a thorough hosting/dining primer on all you need to know, literally from soup to nuts (or cheese), including which fork to use, how to pronounce a food, read a wine label, use and fold your napkin and so much more. I would buy this book for every person in management, any sales force or entertaining position. I’d also buy this book for any waitstaff looking to up their game. There isn’t an adult who couldn’t benefit from the tips in this book!”

~ Joanne Cini, former SVP Sales and Marketing NBC Television Stations

“I’ve been selling luxury real estate in New York City for 20+ years and dining out with clients is an aspect of my work I truly enjoy trying many restaurants and cuisines is a great passion of mine. Notwithstanding my years of experience in this regard, this book offered insightful tips and helpful reminders. An outstanding primer for a young professional and an excellent refresher for all who enjoy fine dining and appreciate proper etiquette. A quick and fun read!”

~ Cathy Taub, Senior Global Real Estate Advisor, Associate Broker, Sotheby’s International Realty

“A great educational and reference book to teach young sales professionals how to be wonderful restaurant guests and world class hosts for their customers. I certainly wish I had this knowledge and reference as I was beginning my sales career!”

~ Steve Crowe, Fortune 50, Global Sales Executivei

“Where was Debbie von Ahrens and The Business of Dining when I was starting out? For years as a financial journalist, I entertained and interviewed sources over steaks, salads and just about everything else mentioned in this book. Bottom line: I would have loved a cheat sheet like this. No matter. Thank goodness von Ahrens has hit the scene now. There’s no end to what I learned from this import- ant guide. In our world of social media and online communication, manners and a beautiful in person meal, set correctly, well ordered, relaxing and comfortable couldn’t be more important. That’s what von Ahrens serves up here. Read this book. Take notes. And enjoy!”

~Walecia Konrad, financial journalist and content producer.

“For the aspiring business professional, The Business of Dining charts a cumulative, career spanning road-map for becoming acquainted with the world of fine dining. Progressively, The Business of Dining provides practical and creative insight (drawn from Debbie’s experience on both sides of the table as an advertising executive and restaurant industry insider) into how a maturing professional can thoughtfully impact the group dining setting with seasoned peers. Debbie identifies the perspectives of all constituents in the dining experience (particularly clients and restaurant staff) and how reading and responding to their queues can make for a differentiated evening in both personal and professional settings.”

~ Richard Kampert, Vice President - Global Banking and Markets, Goldman, Sachs & Co.

“The Business of Dining is a fabulous guide to the full dining experience. I’m planning on keeping a copy on my phone so that I can reference it when ordering wines, hosting events, and the like. I’m sure to return to the handy bullet points, diagrams, and glossaries regularly. I only wish that I had access to something like this sooner—I imagine that I could’ve dramatically improved many of my previous dining experiences had I not been quite so intimidated by some of the finer points of fine dining. It really makes me appreciate what goes into the meal (and the experience overall).”

~ Justin Hulbert, Director of the Psychology Program at Bard College