This Book is A terrific resource for planning a party
Below is a grab-bag of sections from the very useful handbook that was published a few years ago, The Guide to Ridiculously Easy Entertaining - Tips from Marfreless. The book is just what the title indicates: help in the basics of entertaining. It includes guidelines about how much alcohol to get and what kind, the necessary steps to plan any event, information about cheeses, wines, beers and spirits, and even what to do with your friends and acquaintances who can turn into one or more of a variety of annoying guest-types. It is the type of information that is missing in most books about entertaining, which are often far prettier than they are useful. Conversely, The Guide to Ridiculously Easy Entertaining - Tips from Marfreless might be the ugly step-child of books on entertaining, but a very smart, ugly step-child.
Here are a few of the comments it garnered soon after it was published:
It can be purchased in book or electronic form on Amazon and Barnes & Noble's sites and elsewhere. The outline of the book is shown below.
Introduction
Part I – The Party Plan
These are six steps that you’ll need to follow when putting together most events:
Step 1 – Initial Planning – Understanding what you’ll need to do to make the event a reality.
Step 3 – Invitations
Step 4 – Accessories & Supplies - Buying (and maybe also renting) the boring stuff you need for your event, and the items that you should have on hand for this and future events.
Part II – Background
These are topics related to entertaining that are good to know, information on specific types of events, and food and drink recipes that you might want to employ.
The Recipes:
The Drink Recipes:
Part III – Glossary
These are mostly food and drink terms that you might want to become familiar with, as these are found in many cookbooks, menus, and among the shelves of food, wine, beer and liquor stores. Or, maybe you just want to try to fit one into a conversation.
Part IV – References
This section includes more information on useful topics, plus quick reference guides.
Here are a few of the comments it garnered soon after it was published:
- "In a tone that is informative and reassuring...explains everything you need to know to throw a great bash...." - New York Daily News
- "...bulging with advice on party-giving...there's plenty of sensible, less obvious information here that hosts will find handy." -- Houston Chronicle
- "When I throw a party at my home, this is my play book for a successful event." - Johnny Carrabba, co-founder of the Carrabba’s Italian Grill Restaurants
It can be purchased in book or electronic form on Amazon and Barnes & Noble's sites and elsewhere. The outline of the book is shown below.
Introduction
Part I – The Party Plan
These are six steps that you’ll need to follow when putting together most events:
Step 1 – Initial Planning – Understanding what you’ll need to do to make the event a reality.
- Initial Planning of Your Event – A little planning helps....
- Suggestions for Social Events – Beyond the obvious ones we have a number of ideas, including Birthdays of Famous People.
Step 3 – Invitations
Step 4 – Accessories & Supplies - Buying (and maybe also renting) the boring stuff you need for your event, and the items that you should have on hand for this and future events.
- Accessories for Your Event (and Future Events), including what is Necessary for Most Events at Home and Drink-Related Equipment
- Supplies for Your Event
- Decorating for Your Event
- Getting Your Home Ready for Your Event
- Creating the Proper Space
- Music for Your Event
- Wine for Your Event
- Beer for Your Event
- Liquor for Your Event
- Accompaniments for Cocktails at Your Event
- Entertaining non-Drinkers at Your Event
- Food for Your Event
- Personal Readiness for Your Event
- During Your Event at Home
- Disaster Relief at Your
Part II – Background
These are topics related to entertaining that are good to know, information on specific types of events, and food and drink recipes that you might want to employ.
- Dinner Parties
- Wine Tasting Parties
- Hosting a Dinner Event at a Restaurant
- Business or Work-Related Events
- Hosting an Event at a Bar
- How to be a Good Guest
- Some More about Spirits
- The Basic of Hard Liquors
- The Basics of Cheese - The major styles of cheese and the most popular types of cheeses
The Recipes:
- Appetizers
- Entrées
- Condiments / Sauces
- Sides
- Dessert Ideas
- Dessert Recipes
The Drink Recipes:
- Pitcher-Sized Drinks
- Frozen Drinks
- Super-Sized Drinks
- Vodka Infusions
- Individual-Sized Drinks
- Simple Drink Combinations
- Shooters / Shots
Part III – Glossary
These are mostly food and drink terms that you might want to become familiar with, as these are found in many cookbooks, menus, and among the shelves of food, wine, beer and liquor stores. Or, maybe you just want to try to fit one into a conversation.
- Wines & Wine Styles
- Wine Characteristics
- Other Wine-Related Terms
- Beer
- Spirits & Cocktail Related Terms
- Cheese
- Snacks, Appetizers, Entrées & Desserts
- Sauces & Condiments
- Ingredients – Herbs & Spices
- Ingredients – Vegetables, Fruits, Mushrooms, Etc.
- Basic Cooking Terms
- Miscellaneous – Non-Drink, non-Food Entertainment Terms
Part IV – References
This section includes more information on useful topics, plus quick reference guides.
- Checklist for Hosting an Event at Home
- A List of Major Holidays in North America
- Basic Information Concerning Beef & Pork
- Guidelines for Making a Toast
- Kegs – Purchasing, Tapping & Pouring
- Lists of Cocktail Mixers
- Checklists for Supplying Different Events
- Dealing with Hangovers
- Weights and Measures for Cooking & Mixing Drinks
- Handling Those Disruptive Guests
- Suggested Reference & Resource Materials
- Some Music Suggestions
- Types of Glassware
- Suggested On-Line Resources
