or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Secrets from a Caterer's Kitchen: The Indispensable Guide for Planning a Party [Paperback]

Nicole Aloni
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)

List Price: $20.00
Price: $13.53 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $6.47 (32%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Only 9 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it Tuesday, May 28? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Paperback $13.53  
Image
Save on Popular Books This Summer
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more.

Book Description

February 1, 2001
During almost two decades of catering everything from the Academy Awards to a fete for Queen Elizabeth to an intimate dinner for Julia Child to a “Roller-Disco” Bat Mitzvah, Nicole Aloni has learned more than a few tricks-of-the-trade. And whether you’re planning your umpteenth dinner for twelve, or you’ve only just figured out that there’s a kitchen in your apartment, Secrets From a Caterer’s Kitchen is the manual on entertaining.

This comprehensive, accessible and easy-to-use book offers insider tips and guidance about:

Menu preparation for both large and small gatherings Finding special locations for events Decorating advice for “theme” festivities Creating invitations Maintaining a budget Over 125 tried-and-true party recipes

Whether it’s a candlelight dinner, a kid’s birthday party, or a holiday extravaganza, you can put on a show like a pro—and keep your guests guessing—with Secrets from a Caterer’s Kitchen!


Frequently Bought Together

Secrets from a Caterer's Kitchen: The Indispensable Guide for Planning a Party + Do It for Less! Parties: Tricks of the Trade from Professional Caterers' Kitchens + Cooking for a Crowd: Menus, Recipes and Strategies for Entertaining 10 to 50
Price for all three: $41.72

Some of these items ship sooner than the others.

Buy the selected items together


Editorial Reviews

Review

Aloni's book is funny, practical and creative..the bible on entertaining. All 150 recipes sound divine. Includes party themes, -- Decor & Style Magazine, March 2001

The chapter called "What Every Caterer Knows" and the detailed food-quantity and beverage-service charts make it invaluable! -- Bon Appetit Magazine, October 1, 2001

About the Author

Nicole Aloni, author of Secrets from a Caterer's Kitchen, is a 15-year catering pro whose sold-out cooking classes are held throughout the country. She's appeared on local and national television and radio, including the Food Network. She lives, cooks, and entertains in southern California.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: HP Trade (February 1, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1557883521
  • ISBN-13: 978-1557883520
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author


I have enjoyed an exciting, diverse career in the culinary arts. In my teens, I opened a small catering business. In my twenties, I completed the diploma course at La Varenne, Ecole de Cuisine in Paris and stayed on to work as a chef at chateaux in Burgundy. In California, I owned a natural foods restaurant, directed one of the country's most prestigious catering operations, owned my own catering company and produced a line of gourmet food products.

For six years, I was the Director of Catering at the Los Angeles Music Center where I catered the Academy Awards four times, prepared a state luncheon for HRH Queen Elizabeth II, and produced galas in honor of three American presidents, foreign dignitaries, divas and Julia Child. Julia was the one that wowed me!

Then I opened my own company, Nicole Cottrell Productions, Inc. My company catered elegant events for clients such as the Four Seasons Beverly Hills, the Tournament of Roses and the Kirov Ballet. We also manufactured packaged foods for fine grocers like Vons/Pavilions, Gelsons, Trader Joe's, Larry's and Neiman-Marcus.

Ultimately all of this had provided me with plenty to talk about, so I began to write books. My first book, Secrets From a Caterer's Kitchen, was published by Putnam in 2001. The second book, Cooking for Company, was published in September 2003. My most recent, The Backyard Bartender, was published in 2007 by Clarkson Potter.

As I write this, I'm at work on a cookbook for the environmental idealist in all of us. I also talk about cooking and entertaining across the country on television and radio, teach at schools like Sur La table, Draeger's and Central Market, and write lots of articles every year for national magazines. I live and cook in Seattle, WA.

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
(25)
4.7 out of 5 stars
Great does not have to be complicated to look and taste great. Shireen Longva  |  5 reviewers made a similar statement
A must read if you love to cook for friends. J.R.  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
82 of 84 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Playful recipes, serious organization March 7, 2001
Format:Paperback
Paris-trained Nicole Aloni offers help for every aspect of party planning from weddings to barbecues, from invitations to centerpieces to table settings and cooking utensils. Extensive menu plans include timelines and organizing suggestions, skill levels and presentation ideas. She provides advice on incorporating ready-made foods and utilizing outside services. There are lists and lists and tips on making your own lists.

With all this detailed and inspiring advice, Aloni doesn't even get to the 150 recipes until halfway through the book. From hors d'ouevres to dessert, each recipe is prefaced with serving suggestions and symbols indicating various factors, including complexity, price, do-ahead, last minute prep and more. Many also offer variations and leftovers ideas.

Aloni's world view includes substantial spectaculars like Carpaccio, Rack of Lamb with Tapenade, Tandoori Flavored Chicken, Shrimp Ravioli with Saffron Cream Sauce, Mushroom Strudel; familiar dishes like Baba Gannoush, Grilled Scallops with Bacon, Gravlax, Herb Garlic Crostini; lots of less familiar ideas like Porcini Broth with Creamy Polenta, Balinese Dumplings, Fish Tacos, and tweaked recipes like Chicken Liver Pate with Cherries and Pecans, Roast Tenderloin of Beef with Gorgonzola, Pear and Potato Gratin with Horseradish. There are side dishes - Spinach with Black Bean Sauce, Creamy Chard with Feta, several varieties of mashed potatoes and a short chapter of spectacular desserts: Coconut Mango Crème Brulee, Cappuccino Tart.

Aloni likes to play with recipes and presentations and offers adventurous cooks the benefits of her experience. Her book is full of ideas to wow guests or wile away an afternoon as an armchair party-planner.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
56 of 59 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for People who cook for fun April 2, 2001
By J.R.
Format:Paperback
What a book! Fun to read--not only is Nicole Aloni a witty and graceful writer, but with her background, she has hilarious and hair-raising tales to tell (Roast Duckling for Forty, anyone?) Add to that the incredibly interesting and not horrendously complicated recipes (think Chicken with artichokes and Olives) and her great tricks that you might figure out for yourself after working as a caterer for 20 years--everything from what to keep in your pantry to how to keep drinks cold without watering them down with melting ice to party theme and decorating ideas--all this and a sense of humor! A must read if you love to cook for friends.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
48 of 51 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Parties Every time July 19, 2001
Format:Paperback
If you follow Nicole Aloni's advice, you too will soon be considereed an accomplished hostess.

Full of practical advice on everything from Table settings, Menu planning, theme ideas, rental requirements, hiring staff, to a fantastic Food Quantitity chart ~ which will once and for all unravel that mystery of HOW much food you need to serve 25 on a buffet anyways. For me, this chart alone makes the book a gem of a purchase.

Add to all this information some hair raising stories, creative ideas, and Mrs. Aloni's witty sense of humour and you've got yourself a book that's a must have addition for everyone from the most novice hostess to the most experienced caterer.

This is not a Martha Stewart book, you don't have to make everything from scratch, purchased food items and decorations are welcome, even recommended, encouraging you to focus on areas that you have the most skill in, leaving other areas to professionals ~ very sound advice.

Also included are over 150 creative and tempting recipes to add to your repetoire. I can't wait to try the Coconut Shrimp

This is one of those books that will be dog eared, highlighted, and marked in many places with sticky notes.

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
This was a good book to add to my cookbook collection. It has many tips that I didn't know about.
Published 23 days ago by Katie M.
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book.
The author makes an interesting case for " great food- for- a-crowd " , in a no-nonsense way.
Great does not have to be complicated to look and taste great.
Published 1 month ago by Shireen Longva
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect guide for a huge party
I just used this book to host a party of 165 people. I took advice from every chapter and found the conversion tables particularly helpful. Read more
Published on September 5, 2010 by Barbara Kline Pope
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and informative
A great book to answer questions on how to throw a large party. It's written for the normal person, not the professional caterer (which I am). Read more
Published on April 29, 2010 by Awna M. Zegzdryn
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Resource!
What a fantastic book. It was so helpful to find a book that not only helped you through step by step preparations for an event, creative event presentations, but also gave... Read more
Published on June 1, 2009 by nancy bee
5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this
A friend gave me this in advance of a series of big parties that I'm dealing in the next few months, including my daughter's wedding which we are debating catering ourselves. Read more
Published on November 1, 2008 by Carolina Summer
4.0 out of 5 stars Looks good, but was hoping for more
I'd read great things about this book and was hoping for more conversions and amounts of food to serve large groups. Read more
Published on June 19, 2008 by elb
3.0 out of 5 stars Watch out
I appreciate having Aloni's books in my catering collection. They are full of useful information and have a delightful tone. Read more
Published on March 1, 2008 by Paula Francese
3.0 out of 5 stars bought as gift
sent to africa to a friend who was doing catering. was thanked over and again but am unsure of how useful it was.
Published on October 3, 2007 by L. Mccord
3.0 out of 5 stars Some good information, some problems
Overall a good resource, especially for the price.

Pros:
-- excellent lists and tips for making lists
-- good section on portions and quantities
--... Read more
Published on April 10, 2007 by D. Smith
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews





Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category