Dinner Party Disasters: True Stories of Culinary Catastrophe [Hardcover]

Annaliese Soros (Author), Abigail Stokes (Author), Roderick Mills (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

A hilarious collection of true tales of culinary catastrophe, Dinner Party Disasters guides you through the faux pas that other hostesses have made so that you don’t make the same mistakes. Vital facts about each party (the number of guests, the menu) followed by a first-person description of the ensuing disaster, are accompanied by sidebars offering real-life solutions, such as how to prevent fires, how to recover from a hangover, how to spark conversation among your guests, and how to mend broken furniture.

The author also provides her simple formula for the headache-free dinner party, which includes the perfect mix of guests, food, décor, entertainment, and preparation, ensuring your next gathering will be a rousing success. A wonderful gift for the host or hostess, these witty stories and charming illustrations will have you chuckling from start to finish, and will help you devise an event that your guests will never forget—but in a good way!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Annaliese Soros, a highly regarded hostess, was formerly married to financier George Soros. Mrs. Soros is an important contributor to the City Opera, The Metropolitan Opera, and many other music and art institutions. She serves on the board of Young Concert Artists, an organization dedicated to discovering and launching the careers of young musicians from all over the world, and of Pianofest in the Hamptons.

Roderick Mills graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2001. He has exhibited widely in London and New York.

Abigail Stokes is writer, teacher, and serial entertainer who lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810993368
• ISBN-13: 978-0810993365
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,485,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "DISASTERS" IS DELIGHTFUL!, May 12, 2007

By 

Nathaniel Morison (Geyserville, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dinner Party Disasters: True Stories of Culinary Catastrophe (Hardcover)

I bought this book because I found the title amusing, but in addition to the disastrous tales there is some wonderful advice. I don't think of myself as an entertainer, but now I'm inspired (and armed with the wisdom of others' mistakes!)

Often I don't know what to bring my hosts when attending a dinner party. Flowers seem so trite. I plan on buying several copies of this book so that I have a "go to" gift, whenever in doubt.

Dinner Party Disasters would make an excellent hostess gift or a gift to a newly married couple.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Have a good laugh!, May 29, 2007

By 

Deborah Harnik (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dinner Party Disasters: True Stories of Culinary Catastrophe (Hardcover)

Whether hostessing is part of your life or not, you'll thoroughly enjoy these delectable anecdotes, each served like an hors d'oeuvre combining fun with informative related tips. You and your friends will delight in the way these "catastrophes" were resolved. Have a good laugh!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dinner Party Disasters, May 22, 2007

By 

Suzanne Gilbert - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dinner Party Disasters: True Stories of Culinary Catastrophe (Hardcover)

What a charming book! It's far from a disaster. I received it as a party favor, but have purchased several as hostess gifts. Anyone who's ever entertained will smile knowingly.