Perfect Parties: The Ultimate Step-by-step Guide (Hardcover)

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Amazon.co.uk 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
Who better to advise on parties than Alison Price - party organiser for such luminaries as Sir Elton John, George Michael and assorted royalty across Europe. Her years of experience have taught her the pitfalls that can beset the most organised of hostesses and here she offers an attractively laid out, well-illustrated guide to giving perfect parties. From invitations to themes, table settings to seating plans, food and drink, she covers every eventuality to ensure your party goes with a swing. Whether it is a fancy dress, a wedding reception, a formal dinner party or a teenager's get-together, she explains the steps to take to make it a memorable evening for guests and a stress-free time for the hosts. Drink concoctions - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic - together with recipes for sit-down dinners, buffets and finger food are clearly explained with innovative twists to make them all the more memorable. How to gauge the amount needed and to increase the ingredients correctly are also given - something many other books on the subject omit. Flower arrangements and table decorations, settings and furnishings are covered too to make the party theme cohesive and tips on how to get rid of those lingering guests at the end of a long evening are also included! For anyone who likes to throw a party this will have something of interest and note, with inspirational ideas for decor and food on offer throughout. An accomplished party-planner, Alison will ensure you too can create an evening not to be forgotten in a hurry. - Lucy Watson --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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4 Reviews 5 star:  (3) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   17 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for the party animal, 3 Dec 2003 By A Customer This review is from: Perfect Parties: The Ultimate Step-by-step Guide (Paperback) I really love this book, it makes me want to throw some massive parties. It's got everything in it and I got it because I wanted a big 30th birthday do, it covers venues, invitations and all the things you need plus it tells you WHEN you need to do them which is so helpful. Then there's amazing dinner party, buffet and canape recipes as well as some cocktails, all with lovely pics. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   13 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Posh party nosh made easy for entertaining wannabes., 1 Mar 2001 By A Customer Excellent and unusual recipes, loads of class, lots of tips. It wouldn't surprise me if this book didn't become every would-be host/esses's bible! Just when we seem saturated with cookery books on every type of food imaginable, it's hard to believe anyone could possibly come up with a new and innovative twist on an often dreaded subject. But Alison Price has done so admirably. Her pukka background and enviable credentials, to say nothing of the seal of approval from Elton John, tell of a woman who knows what she is doing, has made a brilliantly successful business of it and is prepared to pass on her expertise to the rest of us. The presentation of the book is classy, from the moment you open it up. And don't let the title mislead you, this book covers romantic dinner parties, weekend house parties, outdoor bashes and nearly feeding the 5000 with fab finger food at a 'be there or be square' do. On top of all the recipes there's stacks of really useful information on when to do what, seating secrets, the essential napkin, sending out invitations, your own pre-party soak in the tub. This is a must for would be entertainers from Asda's to Harrods Food Hall. Alison has catered for many of the rich and famous, but her recipes inspire rather than fill the reader with dread. It made me want to rush out and buy a big diary and plan loads of socials. As a part time caterer of fancy functions, this book will be well worn! Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   5 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars great book with great ideas on hosting a wedding or a brunch, 11 Jun 2001 By A Customer This review is from: Perfect Parties (Hardcover) I bought Alison Price's Perfect Parties book when I was arranging my wedding. It was a great source of ideas, recipies and drinks to cater any kind of event - big or small. It is great. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 4 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 3.0 out of 5 stars Good and safe Working in this business, I picked this book up without hesitation; its always good to get a different perspective. Read more Published 20 months ago by JoTenn Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 4 customer reviews...

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