Packed with advice and inspiration from three of Los Angeles' most popular party providers. "Fabulous Parties" reveals their professional secrets and enables you to create your own sensational celebration for any occasion. Drawing on many years of hands-on-experience as floral designers and caterers to Los Angeles' A-listers, Mark Held and Richard David of Mark's Garden and Peggy Dark of the Kitchen has adapted the principles of putting together a large, lavish event to a more intimate scale and lower budget. The harmonious relationship between food and flowers is clearly shown in beautiful, specially commissioned photographs, which showcase twenty themed events inspired by those created for their celebrity clients. All of the events included have a theme, decor, and menu. Choose from a Rustic Italian Party, a colorful Caribbean Dinner, a lavish New Year's Eve Celebration, an elegant Wine Tasting, or a glamorous Pink Ladies' Luncheon, plus many more. Useful practical instruction on how to achieve professional results at home is given in a section on Floristy Tips and Techniques. *Celebrity clients who enjoy parties created by Mark's Garden and The Kitchen include Oprah Winfrey, Cher, Diane Keaton, George Clooney, Teri Hatcher, Tommy Hilfiger, Donatella Versace, and many more.
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Product Details
Author:
Mark Held
Hardcover:
191 pages
Publisher:
Ryland Peters & Small
Publication Date:
2008-04
Language:
English
ISBN:
1845976282
Package Length:
10.1 inches
Package Width:
8.8 inches
Package Height:
1.3 inches
Package Weight:
2.35 pounds
Average Customer Rating:
based on 20 reviews
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: ( 20 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 found the following review helpful:
A Work of Art Apr 05, 2008
By Jean Halkides
"Jean"
Fabulous Parties is indeed fabulous. The entire book is a work of art. I just love leafing through the pages and looking at the many beautiful images. This book is pretty enough to sit on my coffee table, yet practical enough to use as a reference guide for elegant entertaining. It shows how to create the appropriate theme for that special occasion. The creative and artfully done floral displays and table settings are inspiring. The floral and food combinations can each stand alone as a work of art; when put together, they are magnificent. The colorful images are presented alongside the appropriate menus to create the whole picture. I look forward to trying the many delectable, yet easy to follow, recipes. I can't wait to show my friends how special THEY are when they come to one of MY fabulous parties.
13 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Color explosion with casualties. Jan 23, 2009
By Cookbookcollector The authors may indeed be well-known and their talents well-loved, but for me I ended up returning the book. I found their table settings way too over the top and way too difficult for the average person (even an above average person) to replicate. And one-third of the table settings were too tall (some rather ridiculously so) for seated guests to see each other around. And as far as inspiring I wasn't happy with the photography, it seemed off somehow. The enjoyment of their style or lack thereof in my case, is just a matter of taste, and mine happens to run the other direction. It reminds me of scrapbooks and photographs- while they may be beautiful the people/photos can get lost amid too much artwork and the same for this book, the flowers, food and place settings get lost among all the clors, glamour and abundance.It does include a lot of delicious sounding recipes.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Fabulous Parties Apr 16, 2008
By Sylvia Dunbeck I dont get to buy many Party Books, but this one caught my eye immediately so I "went for it". Oh, I was so NOT disappointed. It is so, so beautiful. I am going to buy a couple more for my friends who love parties and flowers. I am also going to do some of those recipes which I feel will be great hits. While I might aspire to some of those fabulous flower arrangements, if I can't do them, that's okay.....the spirit is there and I am excited by the ideas. In short, it's a beautiful, helpful book.....I love it....and that luscious cover even makes my coffee table look very oooh la la.!!!! Thanks Peggy, Richard, Mark....whoever you are! signed sylvia dunbeck ps...can you do my next party for me???????
4 of 5 found the following review helpful:
A GREAT RESOURCE Dec 14, 2009
By LAUREN V.
"FRIEND TO ALL"
EVERY TIME I LOOK AT THIS BOOK I SEE SOMETHING NEW. I HAD TO CHECK THIS BOOK OUT BECAUSE SOUTHERN ACCENTS MAGAZINE REVIEWED IT, AND RECOMMENDED IT. THEY WILL BE MISSED BECAUSE THEY DON'T APPLAUD EVERY ENTERTAINMENT BOOK OUT THERE. GREAT IDEAS, AND RECIPES. I FEEL THIS BOOK IS TIMELESS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE OTHER REVIEWS ABOUT "OUT OF DATE"?
THIS IS A BOOK YOU WILL COME BACK TO OVER AND OVER AGAIN. NOT JUST BEAUTIFUL PICTURES, GREAT RECIPES, BUT WONDERFUL IDEAS, FOR BOTH INSIDE, AND OUTSIDE. I'M KEEPING MY COPY, AND GIVING MORE FOR GIFTS. IF YOU LIKE BEAUTIFUL THINGS, AND ARE NOT INTO THAT MINIMALIST NOTHING ON THE TABLE LOOK, YOU WILL ADORE THIS BOOK. IT'S A GREAT RESOURCE. CHEERS!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Best Gift for the Person Who Loves to Entertain! Mar 25, 2010
By N. Brown
"Party Diva"
Friends who know that I love to entertain gave me this book - Fabulous Parties! This is one of the best books I have in my personal collection. The recipes are simply delicious and very easy to make. The floral arrangements provided me with a lot of inspiration about how to create my own stylish centerpieces. Knowing that Mark Held, Richard David and Peggy Dark have created gourmet menus and event decor for numerous Hollywood stars, well, I was just thrilled with all their advice! Fabulous Parties is the best present for people like me to love to entertain or for folks who are interested in learning about the art of floral design. This book is easy to follow and is a treasure trove of usable information. Fabulous Parties is the perfect gift for birthdays, weddings, Mother's Day or anyone who wants to learn how to host an incredible event! Cheers!
based on 20 reviews
A Work of Art Apr 05, 2008
By Jean Halkides
"Jean"
Color explosion with casualties. Jan 23, 2009
By Cookbookcollector
