Photo of Ida from the short biography provided in When You Entertain

Ida Bailey Allen was a specialist in home-economics, founder and president of the national homemaker’s club, an established editor for magazines, newspaper columnist, as well as lecturing over radio stations. In her lifetime, she published over 50 books pertaining to domestic topics of cooking and recipes, serving guests and hosting events, etc. 

Allen was born on January 30, 1885, in Danielson Connecticut USA, and died July 16, 1973. She was a highly sought after domestic figure, who claimed that good home cooking equated to a lower divorce rate. Allen answered many questions from other homemakers across the country via her radio station. Women from all over America would call in asking for specific advice pertaining to hosting and entertaining guests, tableware, appropriate dresses for specific functions, and recipe advice. 

Her book When You Entertain: What To Do and How was created and published in response to the growing questions and inquiries of American women who read her books, newspaper articles and listened to her radio station. The book was to be an overall answer to a broad array of commonly asked questions, as well a great starting book in order to begin one’s journey in entertainment and hosting.