Puttin' on the Grits: A Guide to Southern Entertaining [Mass Market Paperback]

Deborah Ford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 2005

The New York Times bestseller and SEBA Award winner explains: Entertaining in the South is about making everyone feel welcome and want to be around you.

From the heartfelt love in Grandma’s dumplings at a family gathering to the stomping good fun at a hoedown, Puttin’ on the Grits teaches us how to be a gracious, warm,and entertaining host—the Southern way. Whether you’re organizing the pot luck for a last-minute Super Bowl party, planning a Thanksgiving family feast, or just need an excuse to get together with your girlfriends, Puttin’ on the Grits has tips and ideas to help with everything from the grocery list and decorating tips, to getting that stubborn last guest out the door with a smile. Whether popping a cork or cracking open a six-pack, every hostess can now be the belle of the ball.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ford, who calls herself a GRIT (Girl Raised In The South), wrote The GRITS Guide to Life, and like that work, this new book is a chatty mix of advice, anecdotes, trivia, jokes, quotes and (a few) recipes—all aimed at explaining and upholding the standards of Southern party giving and party going. Never mind that it's hardly an original topic (witness books by Paula Deen, and Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays's recent Being Dead Is No Excuse). Ford dives headlong into giving advice on old school Southern hospitality, beginning with suggestions for parties celebrating Southern holidays like Elvis's Birthday and Derby Day. The "Being a Good Hostess" chapter suggests conversation starters and shares stories of famous Southern hostesses. Would-be party givers get hints on planning budgets, guest lists and menus and, on the big day, dealing with last-minute emergencies—from food failures to stain removal ("Rope in husband. Show him the spot. Repeat as necessary"). The "Being a Good Guest" chapter advises on dressing properly, eating an artichoke, figuring out which silverware to use at a formal dinner and writing a thank-you note. Despite the book's attempt at imparting practical information, the narrative's tone is relentlessly sticky-sweet, with all too many silly jokes ("the best way to thaw a turkey... blow in his ear"). Agent, Peter McGuigan at Sanford Greenberger. (On sale Apr. 25)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

"Funny, wise, charming, and smart . . . GRITS deserves a place on your shelf between Gone With the Wind and the Memphis Junior League cookbook."
—Fannie Flagg, from her foreword to The GRITS Guide to Life

"A chance for all Girls Raised in the South to revel in our wonderfulness—and a fine attempt at explaining us to everyone else."
—Jill Connor Browne, author of The Sweet Potato Queens’ Book of Love

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Plume (December 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452286891
• ISBN-13: 978-0452286894
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,375,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SOUTHERN COMFORTS, April 23, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Puttin' on the Grits: A Guide to Southern Entertaining (Audio CD)

Was Scarlet the first, the first Southern Belle to win us with her beauty, spunk and determination? Perhaps for many. She's been followed by the Steel Magnolias and a host of others. These gals are always witty and winning. Then along came Deborah Ford with "The Grits (Girls Raised in The South) Guide to Life," and we're reminded once again how irresistible women raised in that part of our country are.

Now, Ford reads "Puttin' On The Grits: A Guide to Southern Entertaining," an entertaining serving of everything one needs to be the perfect Southern hostess. Listeners will hear about gatherings large and small, recipes (wet and dry), and tips for making every guest feel like a king or queen.

The author shares all - offering advice on what and what not to wear, as well as appropriate table setting for backyard and banquet. (Yes, even a tailgate party deserves special accouterments.) When it comes to gracious thank you notes, well, Southern belles have written the book on that topic - not too sweet, always sincere.

Mint Juleps are a mainstay, and charm seems to be a birthright. Y'all listen and enjoy.

- Gail Cooke

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful book!!, September 6, 2005

By 

Stephanie Manley (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Puttin' on the Grits: A Guide to Southern Entertaining (Hardcover)

I thought this was a delightful and entertaining book. This book is packed with many different southern traditions and customs. Deborah Ford, writes with much passion and love for many of the southern manners, and social expectations. I really enjoyed that she packed this full of vital recipes such as how to properly make sweet tea, a must have if you live in the South. She also included many other recipes for gifts and other things you may want to have in your freezer just in case.

Puttin' on the Grits was a delightful book, with all sorts of illustrations, and tips. I thought she did a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of the South in the modern world. Deborah also gave many wonderful suggestions for learning all about Southern manners and those unwriten expections for those of us who may now live in the South. I would recommend this book to those who may want to learn more about what makes the Southern culture so unique.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Miss Grits writes another winner!, August 21, 2005

By 

Ed Williams (Macon, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Puttin' on the Grits: A Guide to Southern Entertaining (Hardcover)

If y'all want to know how we Southerners entertain, and learn a tad more about how important family and friends are to us, you need to read this book. Miss Grits can always be counted on to entertain, and I can tell y'all, no nicer or classier lady has ever existed. "Miss Grits" is no act, she's the real deal!