Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Parties    6. Party decorations    7. Planning    8. Tablesetting    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    10. General cookery   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    5. Customs & Traditions    6. Design - Decorative    7. Design - General    8. Fashion    9. Product design   

Reviews (8)

Wow!A book that will give you confidence and make entertaining simple, yet sifisticated.
A great book, I loved how she organized the recipes according to what type of party you will be having. She also has entire party menu suggestions at the back. My party is in exactly one month, so I've already started trying the recipes out on my family. Everything I've tried so far has been wonderful. This book was such a score for me. I highly recommend. 5 BIG STARS!

The complete party planning guide
If what you are looking for is just a cookbook, then Perfect Party Food definitely provides that, with between 5-600 scrumptious recipes from which to choose. However, this is much more than just a cookbook!
ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS IN MY COLLECTION!
Spending my time in the kitchen while entertaining is not my idea of a good time.So when I saw this cookbook, I was anxious to purchase it and try the recipes!I have made several recipes in this book and they have all been excellent. The recipes are easy to follow, delicious and creative, with ingredients that I usually have in my pantry or are easily found at the store. The recipes feature a lot of fresh veggies, herbs and quality ingredients making the recipes fresh and healthy.There are not a lot of high fat, high salt ingredients called for. I love the fact that all of the recipes have steps that can be done in advance that will allow me to have most everything prepped and ready to go before company comes.I find myself referring to it over and over.Great find! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Make-ahead cookery    8. Tablesetting   

Reviews (2)

Update the software!
As an instructor I felt the book was very good, but the students could not use the software on excel 97 or above. It was really frustrating, and I will not use it next semester.

I think this is an excellent book for chefs to be.
This is an excellent book for chefs to be.It gives in detail how to design a decent menu. But the price I paid for it is way to much. I picked up the book in our school bookstore, Lambton College, in Sarnia, OntarioCanada. It cost me 102.95 plus GST Tax. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    5. Menus    6. Tablesetting    7. Business & Economics / Hospitality, Travel & Tourism   

Reviews (3)

EXCELLENT
Assists convention services and catering people with menus for clients without being too high end or gourmet.Great themes and ideas!

a reader from NY
A totaly great book for all caterers. Very inspiring!Has hundreds of menus you can adapt or use as an inspiration. wow did I get sucked in: total waste...
This book is applicable to anyone with tons of cash to spare on a party hosted in 1954.As a caterer, I was looking for inspiration, but sadly,only found jello and marshmallow themes pervasive throughout the entirebook.Not worth the paper it is printed on! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Caterers and catering    3. Cooking    4. Food Service Management    5. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    6. Management    7. Meetings    8. Menus    9. Methods - Professional    10. Planning    11. Tablesetting    12. Business & Economics / Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    13. Hotel & catering trades   

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Methods - General    5. Methods - Quick & Easy    6. Tablesetting    7. Cooking / Quick & Easy   

Reviews (3)

Wonderful information for such a small purchase
I'm so happy this book was written particularly since I'm new to the catering business.I found this book to be extremely helpful.There's a huge amount of work that goes into just preparing to go into business for yourself as a caterer and this book did a wonderful job of providing website resources for further research as well as providing very useful tips.It's easy to read and understand.This is a great reference book and I'll be sure to look at it often.

Practical "real world" examples for maximizing profits
One of the newest additions to the Atlantic Publishing Group's outstanding "The Food Service Professional" series, The Food Service Professional Guide To Successful Catering: Managing The Catering Operation For Maximum Profit. Here revealed are 365 "insider secrets" showcasing everything necessary to launch a successful catering business; practical "real world" examples for maximizing profits; and clear, accessible instructions on how to sell, market, and operate a catering operation profitably no matter what part of the country it is located in. If you are considering your own catering company as an entrepreneurial small business, then give a close and careful reading to Sony Bode's The Food Service Professional Guide To Successful Catering: Managing The Catering Operation For Maximum Profit!

Great Book
Great Book! I Found These step-by-step guides easy-to-read, and easy to understand! The books are packed with information. They reminded me of "cliff Notes" from my college days.The information is comprehensive without the fluff you find in so many of the more expensive books out there on the subject. The books are also packed with resources such as phone numbers and the web sites of the companies they are discussing - there is no "theory" just great information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Caterers and catering    5. General    6. Management    7. Reference - General    8. Strategic Planning    9. Tablesetting    10. Catering   

Reviews (5)

A good start, but...
I bought this book looking for something to pass along to employees and friends that dealt with food-styling and decoration.Specifically I was looking for tips on decorating steam tables and the food contained therein.
Disappointed
This book was very disappointing. If you are just starting out in the food service industry, then I guess this is okay for you; but if you are Veteran in the business, you probally already know how to arrange a table for presentation. This book also contained far too many recipe, perhaps it should be classified as a cook book. Definetly not worth the money!

Not especially helpful with garnishing
I agree with the other reviewer.While this is a lovely book, it was not what I was expecting or hoping for.I found it lacking in illustrations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Methods - General    4. Quantity Food Production And Service    5. Table setting and decoration    6. Tablesetting    7. Cooking / Culinary Arts & Techniques    8. General cookery    9. Hospitality industry   

Reviews (5)

Love it!
This book has easy to follow instructions and is very informative about the history of the napkin folds.My husband smiles when he sits down to eat.It's fun decorating the table now.

Somewhat palatable
Being a napkin enthusiast, naturally I'm quite an avid fan of Linda Hetzer, however, I find it immensely unnerving that she inexcusably has omitted several key napkin folding solutions.Apparently, she just wouldn't make the effort to list 100 Fancy Folds, just only 94 - how revolting. Splendid and informative
Hetzer and Penny have excelled themselves with this fine work, which truly does offer 94 napkin folds.They are all relatively simple, even for people at the art of their origami careers.The book loses a star, though, for not properly discussing which fold is best suited to the Subbuteo tabletop. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Etiquette    5. Napkin folding    6. Table setting and decoration    7. Tablesetting    8. Cooking / Tablesetting    9. Handicrafts    10. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (1)

Perfection
There is nothing this book has left out.I had gotton so many books before this one but this one literally answered all the questions i needed answered. I use it as a point of refernce daily. Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Caterers and catering    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Handbooks, manuels, etc    7. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    8. Management    9. Tablesetting    10. Business & Economics / Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    11. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (5)

Party Planning 101, 201 and the Graduate Course
This is the most creative, realistic, inspiring party planning book I have seen! It covers all sorts of parties from Baby showers to retirement banquets and everything in between.
Party Planning!
Great book filled with cost effective ideas for throwing a great party! Pleanty of variety in the book to suit everyone's taste and budget!

Very helpful when it comes to organizing!
This book offered many tips on many different themes in parties. Although, it seems that Diane is more oriented with weddings, she tends to have quite a few chapters on weddings in this book. She does, however, have good ideas for barbeques, post-prom parties and random special events.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Parties    8. Tablesetting    9. Etiquette & entertaining   

Editorial Review

Do you know how to set the table? Worry about your dinner manners? Finally, with Read more

Reviews (11)

A Complete A to Z Guide on Table Setting, Manners and Tableware.
At last a book that address's the who, what, when, where, how and why of table settings, tableware and manners. Very sadly over the years etiquette, especially table has been flushed down the proverbial toilet. This is a must have reference book for any home; and, makes for a great engagement, housewarming or new apartment gift. There are two (2) hope chests sitting within the walls of our home; both have a copy of The Art of the Table. Upon receiving this book, my girls and I sat down and started to skim through it,two (2) hours later found us taking out the fine china, stemware and silver. We set both a formal and informal table. A memory I shall forever treasure. Suzanne Von Drachenfels thank you, for this great book.

A phenominal resource book dedicated to enlighten and inform its reader.
The Art of The Table - A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware, is extremely thorough in covering all the details related to proper table etiquette. Author Suzanne Von Drachenfels makes it so easy, and entertaining in the process, finding the answer to any mealtime dilemma.
The ideal gift for brides and gracious hosts......
Gently and sensibly, this author explains the purpose of formal and informal dining and guides her readers towards a satisfying dining experience.If this book is not considered THE ultimate informative guidebook on the subject, it should be.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Etiquette    4. General    5. Reference    6. Table etiquette    7. Table setting and decoration    8. Tablesetting    9. Tableware    10. House & Home / General   

Reviews (4)

Amazing Author!
I had the opportunity to assist for Rori's husband, who is a food photographer, on a shoot. All of the food was presented amazingly well, and when we actually got to eat it afterwards, I couldn't believe it. I honestly have not tasted such great food in a long time. I've been to quite a few upscale restaurants in Los Angeles and I can say that her food was so much more impressive than most of what I've tried. I just purchased this book, but have not read it yet, but if it's a reflection of her style and skills, I know I won't be disappointed. She's also an amazing person, which makes this even better!

"I'm vaKlempt!!!"
This author is one of the most stylish and honest chefs I've read in a long time. I've boughtover 10 cookbooks in the last year, from holiday planning, little noshes to fancy restaurant cookbooks. None of them presents food this way before...the informal and the formal styles of presenting different recipes. Oy, what a concept!I'm vaklempt over this. I sent a copy to my daughter in Manhattan so that when my husband, Ira and I visit, she can cook one of those great recipes for us. (She better do the "dressed up style if she knows whats good for her). Best of the Bunch!
Out ofall of the new-fangled and (expensive) fancy cookbooks we've been bombarded with over the last few years, FINALLY, Rori Trovato has brought it all home for us in her new book "Dishing With Style."Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Food presentation    6. Home Management    7. Methods - Garnishing    8. Methods - Professional    9. Tablesetting    10. Cooking / Tablesetting   

Reviews (2)

A Vague Textbook
The book has wealth of information for those absolutely new to Food and Beverage. Don't look for inside hints or for good restaurant or service systems for the professional, it's just not there. I ordered the book to improve my knowledge of the finer points of service, what I got instead was a rehash of basic techniques that have been better presented elsewhere.Disappointing for the price.

the professional's reference
There's not a whole lot to say about the English edition of the service textbook used by Swiss hotel management schools. Clear writing, decent maps/diagrams, illustrative photographs, and a conservative position aresome of the features of this book that covers both dining room and banquetservice.Read more

Subjects:  1. Table service    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Table setting and decoration    4. Tablesetting    5. Cooking / Tablesetting    6. Hotel & catering trades    7. Cooking    8. Methods - Professional    9. Food service   

Reviews (6)

For Applebee's
I felt that this book was way to basic to be beneficial. It would make a good book to give to someone just hired at Applebee's with no serving experience. I would not recommend it to anyone with experience in the food service industry.

Nothing New
Tired and done. I didn't buy this book to get the same info found in so many other books.Also some conflicting info in varying chapters whendealing with a particular topic.

Fair job but falls short
Covers the basics of dealing with restaurant staff, but misses answering some basic questions on training.How and when should a waiter clear a table? When do you refill drinks and coffee? Frustrating oversights like these make this otherwise decent,if pricey, guide to running a restaurant a worthwhile book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. General    5. In-service training    6. Table service    7. Tablesetting    8. Training    9. Waiters    10. Waitresses    11. Waiters and waitresses   

Reviews (2)

Addressing Flowers
Ron Morgan is an artist, an assemblage artist, who substitutes paint brushes and oils and canvases with living flowers and the components of still life. In this magnificently illustrated book Morgan shares his famous skills in the most congenial way, allowing us as viewer to appreciate his artworks by sharing the materials with which he works.
An enthusiastically recommended source of inspiration
In the Company of Flowers presents masterpieces of floral arrangement and table setting by legendary floral designer Ron Morgan. Over 180 full-color photographs on every page, some of them two-page spreads, reveal 60 unique table settings that incorporate flowers, fine silverware, and centerpieces into breathtaking examples of transient beauty. The photographs speak for themselves; In the Company of Flowers has very little text, aside from a few words by Ron Morgan, a synopsis of the materials and containers used for each table setting, and a handful of tips about caring for flowers. An enthusiastically recommended source of inspiration, and a restful work of wonder that invites the reader to simply page through its contents. Also highly recommended is Morgan's previous volume of centerpieces, "The Center of Attention".
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Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Flower Arranging    5. House & Home    6. Tablesetting    7. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Dinners and dining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Menus    7. Tablesetting    8. Cooking / General    9. General cookery   

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Loaves and Fishes (Store : Sag    6. Menus    7. Tablesetting   

Reviews (3)

Great and Useful Purchase
This is a rare book that actually deserves 5 stars.
Who Says Guys Don't Want to Be Good Hosts?
A great, easy read, filled with practical advice.This book takes the "who me??" out of cool entertaining.Highly recommended by the editors of SharpMan.com.

A Gentleman Entertains by John Bridges
"A Gentleman Entertains" takes a surprisingly unpretentious look at men entertaining, though the book is by no means without merit for women readers. The practical advice and simple, elegant recipes cover a broadrange of entertaining scenarios, from casual cocktail parties at home todining out, to family reunions. The South is perhaps the only place leftwhere it is still fashionable to be genteel, and Bridges lives up to hisSouthern upbringing without coming across stuffy. Leaving no stoneunturned, the book touches on everything from tipping to starting acharcoal grill to choosing the wine. Though the title suggests a certainlevel of sophistication, the author is just as quick to advise readers touse paper plates when the situation dictates as he is to recommend theproper way to garnish a cocktail. Bridges writing style is crisp and on thewry side, though he had more room to shine in "Keeping Up," adelightful series of essays on his upbringing in Slapout, Al., as well aswitty observations on life and martinis. I would have liked to have seenhim cut loose in this book a little more stylistically, but being theproper gentleman that he is, he wrote a respectable book suitable for anycoffee table. It is a fine follow up to his previous outing, "How tobe a Gentleman." I recommend it to anyone who is looking for the kindof practical advice on entertaining that bears repeating and never goes outof style. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Entertaining    2. Etiquette    3. General    4. Personal Growth - Happiness    5. Reference    6. Self-Help    7. Tablesetting    8. Trivia    9. Etiquette & entertaining    10. Reference / Etiquette    11. Self-Help & Practical Interests    12. Trivia & quiz question books   

Reviews (2)

DELICIOUS RECIPES - GORGEOUS PRESENTATIONS

Susan Mason's Silver Service
The food is incredible and elegant yet surpisingly simple to do.One of the best occasion cookbooks out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. Tablesetting