Perfect Parties - Hardcover

Price, Alison

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1856263258 ISBN 13: 9781856263252

Publisher: Kyle Cathie, 1999

Synopsis

From the initial planning stages (choosing a venue, drawing up a guest list and sending out invitations) to encouraging the last guest to leave at the end of the event, this is a guide to the whole process of organizing a party. Check-lists, time-plans and over 100 recipes are included.

About this title

Review

Perfect Parties is a comprehensive guide to throwing a successful party, from a small impromptu gathering to a grand formal occasion. Alison Price is a highly experienced professional party organiser and caterer (she created the extravaganza for Sir Elton John's 50th birthday: he returns the favour by contributing a generous Foreword), so she is fully qualified to advise on this score. The secret, as you might guess, is careful planning and preparation, so it with this that the book opens. Alison Price's recommendations are detailed and precise and she provides a planning checklist from three months ahead ("Book Venue") to two hours before the event ("Have a bath"). From planning, Price takes us through all the aspects of a party that are susceptible to creative input. Themed parties are explored, choosing a venue, the intricacies of sending invitations and maintaining a guest list, and hiring staff. Separate chapters deal with flowers, candlelight, table settings, "New Ways with Napkins" and similar key topics. There is also a very generous selection of themed menus with recipes and a number of useful cocktails and drinks. Some of her recommendations are frankly only likely to be taken up by the sort of person who would, in all seriousness, stuff a mange- tout(for example, making your own tablecloth and napkins), but in general the book is crammed with vivid and imaginative ideas to give a party an extra level of pleasure and sophistication. It is also amply illustrated. Be advised, though, that the contents page features a strange close-up shot of a raw oyster which may not be for the squeamish. --Robin Davidson

Review

Her celebrity client list, which includes royalty and numerous celebrities, is enough of a recommendation -- Homes & Gardens

If anyone knows about celebrating, it's Alison -- Marks & Spencers magazine

Original ideas and recipes -- Daily Mail

a fantastic new step-by-step guide -- Wedding & Home, Dec 03

plenty of inspirational ideas, practical tips and good advice -- OK Magazine, Dec 03

spectacular menus and tips on everything from invitations to where to hold the event -- Woman's Own

Edition details

• Publisher: Kyle Cathie
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1856263258
• ISBN 13: 9781856263252
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176