The Surreal Gourmet EnterTains: High-Fun, Low-Stress Dinner Parties for 6 to 12 People (Paperback)

by Bob Blumer (Author) "I have never been fond of proper behavior, formal attire, or tradition for tradition's sake..." (more)
Key Phrases: serving apparatus, potato stars, advance prep, Warner Bros, Rhino Records, Italian Parmesan Reggiano (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Martha Stewart run for cover! The Surreal Gourmet is back with hundreds of unique ideas for throwing a worry-free dinner party. Bob Blumer -- master of creative entertaining -- takes angst-ridden hosts through the planning step by step. Here are over 25 recipes that can be quickly and easily prepared by even the most inexperienced cook, each accompanied by suggestions for wine and music to dine?(and cook) by. There's also an "advanced adventure club," featuring high-concept dinners like salmon cooked in the dishwasher (it works!). Filled with witty, full-color artwork, The Surreal Gourmet Entertains is sure to bring dinner companions together with fantastic food, a vibrant atmosphere, and lots of fun.

About the Author
Bob Blumer is the creator and host of the Food Network show Surreal Gourmet . He lives in the Hollywood Hills where his other car is a Toastermobile. You can visit Bob's Web Site to catch the latest in surreal cuisine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811808041
• ISBN-13: 978-0811808040
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #378,571 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #82 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Occasions > Tablesetting
  #91 in	Books > Entertainment > Humor > Cooking

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars our favorite cookbook, September 15, 1999

By A Customer

The Joy of Cooking is a great cookbook, but The Surreal Gourmet's style makes it fun to read and try recipes. The recipes are popular favorites presented in an easy-to-follow format. At the end there are drink recipes, basics (stock, pesto, etc), and tips on setting up your kitchen, even music recommendations. The book lives up to it's title with cool illustrations and a refreshing style that is definitely surreal compared to other cookbooks.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Octane Entertaining with Feud!, September 11, 2003

By	rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This guy is a blast! Not one to be turned on with entertainment gourmet TV types, this guy is exceptional. Tuning him in on FoodNetwork several times and really enjoying him and his creativity approach and the fun he has with food and serving it takes me back to my inspiration to enter gourmet --- Galloping Gourmet.

Galloping to Surreal -- this is great wealth of inspiration! Recipes and music and suggestions and great photos and the adventure club and alternatives --- it all makes for one rockin' cookin' adventure.

Check out the likes of "Champagne Rissoto" or "lobstercapecodstyle".

Try and you'll go back for more, forsurereal!

2.0 out of 5 stars Sooooo disappointing..., December 9, 2008

By	Heather N. Mader (portland,or) - See all my reviews

After buying the Surreal Gourmet's book Surreal Gourmet Bites: Showstoppers and Conversation StartersI thought this was a shoe-in. But the food just wasn't anything spectacular, and the book felt very dated. (Not sure when it was published - but this one isn't timeless)

I absolutely LOVED his Showstoppers and Conversation starters book because the recipes were so unusual, but absolutely delicious and backed up with amazing presentation ideas.

This book just didn't have the same feel at all, was boring, and not one that I will probably ever refer to again.