Do It for Less! Parties: Tricks of the Trade from Professional Caterers' Kitchens (Paperback)

~ (Author) "There are umpteen reasons to throw a party: birthdays, weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, new jobs, leaving jobs, family get-togethers, holidays,..." (more)
Key Phrases: appropriate package sizes, fyi helpful hint, resealable plastic storage bags, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Salt Freshly (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Many people can handle throwing a party for 8 or 10 people, but how many can successfully negotiate the trials of entertaining 25 or 50? Do It for Less! Parties has all the tools you need to plan efficiently and entertain flawlessly when cooking for a crowd. Packed with quantity recipes for 12, 25, 50, or 75 friends and family, this combination party cookbook, decorating guide, and entertaining primer shows today’s savvy hostess how to do it for less time and do it for less money without sacrificing one’s sanity or style.

The first half of the book focuses on the logistics of quantity cooking. It’s brimming with estimating guides, catering resources, and conversion charts that are useful for the professional caterer and home entertainer alike. The second half provides nine complete menus with 65 twice-tested, quantity recipes. All the menus include complete shopping lists in each quantity, a menu countdown, decoration ideas, and specific tips for shaving costs, time, and stress from your preparation schedule.

About the Author

With more than 20 years experience and thousands of parties to her credit, Denise Vivaldo is unparalleled in the field of big-name catering and food styling. She has worked with the likes of Rachael Ray, Michael Chiarello, and Nigella Lawson, among many other heavy-hitters in the food world. She has cooked for all sorts of stars and dignitaries, from Bette Midler and Arnold Schwarzenegger to Prince Charles and President George H.W. Bush. She has catered the Academy Awards Governor's Ball, Los Angeles Magazine's Taste of LA, the Women in Film Tribute, and numerous post-premiere and wrap parties. Denise is the founder of Food Fanatics and the author of the bestselling How to Start a Home-Based Business, now in its 4th edition. She lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Terrace Publishing (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965327515
• ISBN-13: 978-0965327510
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,072 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

  #16 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Professional Cooking > Quantity
  #26 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Occasions > Party Planning
  #65 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Professional Cooking > Professional

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sophisticated but easy, March 31, 2005

By	KT (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This is my new favorite book because the flavors are sophisticated but the recipes are easy! Interesting recipes in quantities for 12, 25, 50, and 75 are hard to find. I will probably use this book more for filling my freezer with family dinners and for brown bag lunches in single serving containers. The advice is practical. Plus there is tons of fun extra information, substitutions and saving time or money. Even decorations and invitation ideas are provided if you want to knock yourself out.

So far I have cooked the Arabian Nights menu with Marrakech Chicken and Lamb Tangine. Both were well received at a luncheon meeting for volunteers and by my husband. With Tabouuleh Salad, Minted Yogurt Sauce and Pita for side dishes, I didn't bother trying the Chocolate Baklava, but will do so another time. The recipes seem to be well-tested and accurate in portion sizes. Both the chicken and the lamb were rich and complex without using chiles.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parties Made Simple, March 22, 2005

By	Catherine Snedaker "Kit Snedaker. cookbook maven" (Santa Monica, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Here's the answer to a hostess's prayers. Whether you are serving 12 or 75, Vivaldo and company make it seem like a snap. I bought the book because I faced a daunting party for 50, read it through, kept it at my elbow during pre-party prep and on the big day enjoyed myself as much as my guests did, without stress, exhaustion, frustration or, most important, breaking the bank.
Even if you don't give many parties, tips about saving time and money are invaluable for everyday cooking.
This one is a WINNER>
Kit Snedaker
formerly food/travel editor of the late lamented Los Angeles Herald Examiner.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FABULOUS AND INFORMATIVE PARTY PLANNING BOOK, March 18, 2005

By	M. Phillips (Manhattan Beach, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

DO IT FOR LESS PARTIES by Denise Vivaldo is a must-have book for anyone planning a party. Denise and her team offer valuable diagrams and charts on everything from how to set the table to how to choose the appropriate wine glass. They provide a detailed map of how to develop and maintain the perfect buffet. They take the headache out of preparation by offering sample shopping lists and planning strategies. One great chapter is "57 Morsels of Kitchen Wisdom," which provides informative tips and tricks that most cook and party planning books ignore. The suggested theme parties are a unique departure from the same old same old. DO IT FOR LESS is an essential addition to any library.