Afternoon Tea Serenade (Menus and Music) (Sharon O'connor's Menus and Music) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: thin wooden skewer inserted, medium howl, white bread slices, The Ritz-Carlton, Earl Grey, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sharon O'Connor is a professional cellist and amateur cook who had the bright idea to combine her affection for music, cookery, and books. She has assembled a volume of tasty recipes from well-known San Francisco restaurants, accompanied by a compact disc of chamber music recorded by the string quartet to which she belongs. This addition to the successful Afternoon Tea Serenade series combines recipes from 23 famed tearooms (the Ritz-Carleton, in its various cities, is heavily represented) with tea history and hints and a nicely chosen and well-played compact disc of short, accessible instrumental works. The books are available in both hardcover (with the CD ensconced in the back cover) and paperback (boxed, with the CD in a separate jewel box). They make a thoughtful gift for music or food-loving friends and a pleasant self-indulgence for oneself. --Sarah Bryan Miller --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Sharon OConnor was the first person ever to pair a cookbook with music. What seems like a simple ideafood and music are a natural combinationis actually the culmination of years of life experience. As OConnor puts it, Menus and Music has packaged up my life.

After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley with degrees in music and sociology, O'Connor trained at the renowned Amsterdam Conservatory of Music. She began her career as a performer with the San Francisco Ballet and Opera and has worked with famed performers such as Frank Sinatra, Van Morrison, Tony Bennett and Linda Ronstadt. She has also recorded with the American Conservatory Theater, Aretha Franklin, John Williams, and for numerous Hollywood film scores. She continued her musical career as the founder and cellist of the San Francisco String Quartet.

A lifelong amateur chef, OConnor began looking for a way to combine her loves for music, food, travel, and writing. Twelve years ago, while driving across the San Francisco Bay Bridge after a performance with her string quartet, she came up with the idea for Menus and Music.

Now, fourteen volumes later, O'Connor OConnor travels the world to research each cookbook and is an expert in adapting recipes from professional chefs for the home cook. Equal time is devoted to meeting with other musicians, mixing, arranging, editing, and performing the musical selections on the compact discs.

Sharon OConnor makes her home in the San Francisco Bay Area with her two daughters and husband. Her family enthusiastically helps in the research, travel, and tasting for her series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Menus & Music Productions (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883914302
• ISBN-13: 978-1883914301
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #575,140 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What fun for tea-lovers!, May 29, 2000

By	amaryllis_USA - See all my reviews

I love this book! Having recipes from famous tea rooms is fantastic and fun - it's interesting to compare them. And although the book is divided into tea rooms, there's a good index in the back if you just want to look for a particular type of recipe. Plus, the beginning section contains a wonderful yet concise history of tea drinking as well as an excellent overview of different teas. The music is nice, too, but to me, the book is worth the full cost!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words and music that transport,delight and refresh the soul., July 5, 1999

By	S. Walker (San Luis Obispo, California USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Afternoon Tea Serenade: Cookbook with Music CD (Hardcover)

I found this lovely book while perusing the Amazon.com website. It serendipitiously has become a treasure book to me. The author takes one on a vicarious "tea" trip to hotels across the world and gives access to recipes from the best Chef's. All this made available while the reader is relaxed in her own home listening to the beautiful music of flute, harp,viola, violin, and the authors cello. Pour a cup of tea and experience lifes' finest. I plan to order additional copies to give as gifts to my friends, and houseguests. The historical reference to tea is of utmost interest to those who love everything about tea. Thank you Ms. O'Connor-well done.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book to Learn and Enjoy the Art of Afternoon Tea!, May 16, 2002

By	Jennifer A. Wickes "Food Writer" - See all my reviews

I recently purchased this great idea! It's a cookbook, along with a CD! It's called "Afternoon Tea Serenade" by Sharon O'Connor. The author is a musician, and author, as well as a cook. Afternoon Tea Serenade is her 12th release!

The book contained within this set is great! I enjoy books that not only offer you the recipes, but also offer you history and techniques. This book tells you not only the origination of tea (the drink, that is), but also the custom of "afternoon tea". There are tips on how to choose tea, how to brew the perfect cup of tea, how to make iced tea, as well as how to make some herbal teas! She suggests how to pick suitable tea cups, and offers some suggestions as to how to throw a themed tea party, such as a Bridal Shower Tea.

The book is filled with recipes from famous tea houses in the United States, England and Ireland. Such recipes include Welsh Rarebit, Cucumber and Mint Sandwiches, as well as Barmbrack. I have tried quite a few of the recipes and they each have turned out wonderfully.

Included within this set is a CD, which contains classical music to set the atmosphere. When I listened to this CD, I felt like I was back in the late 1800s during Victorian times! Artists on this CD include Bach and Mozart. Each piece is wonderful, and I am sure you will recognizea few, if not all of the pieces!

Treat yourself, or a friend, to something special this Spring, and buy this set! Then, call over your family and friends and have yourself a tea party!