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Entertaining Simple [Paperback]

Matthew Mead
3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)


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Book Description

September 16, 2008
Beautifully illustrated with more than 350 color photographs, a comprehensive guide to simple but stylish entertaining presents a host of ingenious but easy-on-the-budget party ideas, with a variety of decorating ideas, serving suggestions, table settings
Title: Entertaining Simple
Author: Mead, Matthew/ Simpson, Jill Kirchner/ Bacon, Quentin (PHT)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc
Publication Date: 2008/09/16
Number of Pages: 255
Binding Type: PAPERBACK
Library of Congress: 2007041611


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In Entertaining Simple, lifestyle and entertaining guru Matthew Mead shows you how to say goodbye to party jitters and say hello to stylish, easygoing gatherings. He gives you everything you need for parties that are wonderfully simple--and simply wonderful.

Packed with beautiful color photographs, this great guide gives you innovative ideas, tasty recipes, and complete game plans for all kinds of get-togethers. To demonstrate how to put his simple entertaining ideas into practice, Matthew gives you complete plans for eight fabulous get-togethers and he provides creative serving ideas and tempting menus for each party.

Complete with source listings and savvy tips on everything from setting up a bar to storing linens, Entertaining Simple is simply indispensable if you want to impress your guests with great food and creative table settings--without spending a lot of time or money.

Photos from Chapter 3: "Make It Your Own: Personalizing the Table" (Click on Image to Enlarge)


Exclusive Recipe Excerpts from Entertaining Simple


Shrimp with Fresh Tomato Salsa

Herb-Roasted Chicken

Roasted Vegetables

Apple Coffeecake

From the Back Cover

"Entertaining Simple is about restoring sanity to entertaining, without sacrificing style in the least. It's about creating easygoing events where the focus is on what matters: the people. After all, what's the point in having friends and family over if you can't enjoy their company?"—Matthew Mead

There's nothing better than a relaxed get-together with friends and family. But how do you relax when you're in charge of putting the party together, making sure your décor is just right, and cooking food your guests will love? In Entertaining Simple, lifestyle and entertaining guru Matthew Mead shows you how to say goodbye to party jitters and say hello to stylish, easygoing gatherings. He gives you everything you need for parties that are wonderfully simple—and simply wonderful.

Entertaining Simple is packed with beautiful color photographs, innovative ideas, tasty recipes, and complete game plans for all kinds of get-togethers. The book starts with a rundown of entertaining essentials—the simple white tableware, clear glassware, and basic serving pieces that are a must for any party. The fun part begins when Matthew shows you how to get creative with these essentials—and add a level of casual sophistication to your parties. You'll find great ideas for using old standbys in new ways, like egg cups as bud vases or votive holders as espresso cups. You'll discover how to use printed paper doilies, stamped napkin rings, or stylish vintage flowers to create personalized place settings. And you'll learn fresh ways to add style with stickers, decals, and rubber bands.

To demonstrate how to put his simple entertaining ideas into practice, Matthew gives you complete plans for eight fabulous get-togethers, from a Lazy-Day Brunch and a Summer Barbecue to a Good Spirits Cocktail Party and a Holiday Open House. For each party, he provides inspiring photographs, creative serving ideas, and tempting menus. The 54 recipes included—Herbed Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Lobster and Avocado Salad, Herbed Goat Cheese Bites, and Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Filling, to name just a few—are as easy to make as they are tasty to eat. Your guests will love the stylish ambiance, delicious food, and relaxed atmosphere. And with lots of do-ahead tips and shortcuts using prepared foods, it's easy for you to get out of the kitchen, join the party, and have fun.

Complete with source listings and savvy tips on everything from setting up a bar to storing linens, Entertaining Simple is simply indispensable if you want to impress your guests with great food and creative table settings—without spending a lot of time or money. Best of all, with Matthew's simple entertaining tips and strategies, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the party yourself!


Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 16, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0470174994
  • ISBN-13: 978-0470174999
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.8 x 10 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

With the information here, I feel as though even I can make it work! sandmeistress  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
The ideas are doable, fun, engaging and the photography is beautiful. Kate  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
I was very unimpressed. An accomplished hostess  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a way to have fun when hosting a party! October 28, 2008
By TJE
Format:Paperback
I've spent too many parties in my own kitchen, rushing around crazily trying to make things perfect, without having any time left to talk to my guests. This wonderfully imaginative yet practical book tells me exactly how to avoid that scenario--so I can throw a beautiful party, show my friends a good time, and really enjoy myself too. I highly recommend it!
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining beyond very, very simple October 27, 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am quite a fan of Matthew Mead and liked what I saw on the site, however I am returning my book. Some ideas for entertaining simple include a candle in a doughnut, making take out food look like you made it (take it out of the boxes), and wrapping a ribbon around your silverware. I was very unimpressed. I thought it was geared to young persons without the tabletop dishes or experience entertaining. Check it out at a bookstore or library before buying.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Holiday Gift October 28, 2008
By Kate
Format:Paperback
At this time of year, I always consider throwing a holiday get-together and then talking myself out of it. After reading "Entertaining Simple," I'm going to make it happen. The ideas are doable, fun, engaging and the photography is beautiful. This is a lovely book to use and own any time of the year.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Love love LOVE!
This is a decorating, floral arrangement, cooking, and entertaining book, all in one! It is so fabulous, I often sit and flip through it just to get ideas on getting creative... Read more
Published on July 24, 2010 by crazybooknerd
4.0 out of 5 stars Handy book for newbie entertainers
I managed to spend my whole life not doing any entertaining - but now I have an extended family and so there are events at my house. Read more
Published on September 14, 2009 by urs3477
4.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLICITY
True, not much new, but I still love the book and getting some different ideas regarding just plain white china.
Published on March 7, 2009 by tradess2006
1.0 out of 5 stars a "nothing" book on easy entertaining
What a disappointment. A book which provides nothing new on easy entertaining. Poor recipes, poor suggestions.... absolutely nothing new! A great "come on" but just hot air. Read more
Published on January 7, 2009 by Dr. John K. Fong
3.0 out of 5 stars entertaining intermediate?
I confess ... the secret of my success in the kitchen is in the way I present the food, and I'm always on the lookout for food styling ideas. Read more
Published on December 1, 2008 by Mrs Sparkles
1.0 out of 5 stars It should have been titled "Entertaining Ugly"
Too many pictures of white dishes. Nothing new in this book -- just cheap and ordinary suggestions. A dog deserves a better party than this.
Published on November 11, 2008 by M.B.
5.0 out of 5 stars At last! Real practical advice!
Okay, I am entertaining-impaired. I WANT to have people over, I WANT things to look and feel beautiful--but instead, I spend my whole time stressing about how to make things go... Read more
Published on October 28, 2008 by sandmeistress
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